Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Fame third baseman who made 18 All-Star Game appearances in 23 years with the Baltimore Orioles, has died at age 86.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson,” his family and the Orioles said in a joint statement Tuesday. “An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball.”
Robinson, known as “The Human Vacuum Cleaner” for his defensive prowess at third base, won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves (1960-75) during a career exclusively played in Baltimore. Only pitcher Greg Maddux (18) has more Gold Gloves.
Robinson played on two World Series championship teams (1966, 1970), earning the Most Valuable Player award in the latter by hitting .429 with two home runs along with elite defense in five games against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Little Rock, Ark., native played in the majors from 1955-77. He was named the 1964 American League MVP after recording career highs with a .317 batting average and 118 RBIs. He totaled 2,848 hits in his career, batting .267 with 268 home runs and 1,357 RBIs.
He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
Fans of the Orioles and Major League Baseball at large mourned Robinson’s passing Tuesday night.
“Brooks stood among the greatest defensive players who have ever lived,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “… He was a model of excellence, durability, loyalty and winning baseball for the Orioles. After his playing career, he continued to make contributions to the game by working with the MLB Players Alumni Association.
“I will always remember Brooks as a true gentleman who represented our game extraordinarily well on and off the field all his life. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Brooks’ family, his many friends across our game, and Orioles fans everywhere.”
Jim Palmer, the Hall of Fame pitcher who was Robinson’s teammate in Baltimore for many years, broke down in tears while speaking about Robinson on MASN, the Orioles’ TV partner.
“We all know he was a great player, he won 16 Gold Gloves,” Palmer said. “But we also know how special a person he was. I think as a young player you make a decision early in life, ‘Who do I want to emulate? Who do I want to be like?’ Brooks was that guy.”
Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. wrote on X, “Today is an incredibly sad day for Baltimore and baseball fans everywhere. Brooks was Mr. Oriole. He was beloved and rightfully so. His historic career on the field pales to the impact he’s made on so many of us. The memories we all share of Brooks will live on. My thoughts are with Connie and the Robinson family. We lost a great man but were so fortunate to have had him in our lives.”
“When I was a little kid, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever being cooler than Brooks Robinson,” ESPN anchor and Maryland native Scott Van Pelt wrote on X. “I still can’t. RIP.”
The Orioles invited fans to visit the Brooks Robinson statue inside Camden Yards beginning Wednesday. The club is playing its final six regular-season games at home, two against the Washington Nationals and four against the Boston Red Sox. Fans may access the statue until four hours before first pitch, and access will reopen during each game.
Hours after Robinson’s death was announced, the Orioles shut out the visiting Nationals 1-0.
–Field Level Media
