ESPN Exclusive: the incredible Brooks Robinson shortly passed away at the age of…… more details

Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Fame third baseman who was known for his skillful glovework and friendly demeanor, has passed away. He was one of Baltimore’s most beloved and successful athletes. He was 86. In a joint statement, Brooks Robinson’s family and the Orioles said, “We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson.” “He will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball. He has been an integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955.” Robinson’s death was not mentioned in the statement. Before their game against the Washington Nationals, the Orioles observed a moment of silence, and the teams gathered outside their dugouts to pay their respects. In addition, prior to the game, fans gathered in front of the 9-foot bronze Robinson statue in Camden Yards. Picks from the Editors Kurkjian: Baltimore’s most beloved athlete was Brooks Robinson. Tim Kurkjian, 345d The playoff races, the battle for the MVP, and young sluggers are what we’re watching in the final week of the MLB season. 347dESPN Rankings of MLB playoff pressure: Which World Series candidates must win now or else? 346d Doolittle Bradford After Baltimore’s 1-0 victory, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said, “I think a lot of guys tonight played with a heavy heart.” “In this game and in this city, he is a symbol. Those are few and far between. Robinson played for the Orioles for his entire 23-year career, coming of age before the free agent era. He homered in Game 1 of the Orioles’ first-ever World Series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966, helping Baltimore defeat Cincinnati almost entirely. Emotionally overcome, Jim Palmer, a fellow Orioles Hall of Famer, exclaimed, “Great player, great guy on the field, great guy off.” “Honest, respectful. Furthermore, you won’t meet many guys like that. Brooks had a real personality. Acting was absent. Brooks was simply a genuine individual.” Robinson batted.318 with 28 home runs and a league-leading 118 RBIs in 18 All-Star Games and won the AL Most Valuable Player award in 1964. In 2,896 games, he hit 268 home runs, had 1,357 RBIs, and had a respectable.267 batting average. However, his work ethic and skill at the hot corner, where he established himself as one of the best third basemen in baseball history by charging slow rollers or snagging liners down the third-base line, will always be remembered. Robinson, better known as the “Human Vacuum Cleaner,” won 16 Gold Gloves in a row, more than any pitcher since Greg Maddux (18). With 39.1 career defensive WAR, Robinson also ranks third behind shortstop Ozzie Smith (44.2) and Mark Belanger (39.5), Robinson’s Orioles teammate for 13 years. Earl Weaver, a former Orioles manager, stated, “Brooks was maybe the last guy to get into the clubhouse the day of the game, but he would be the first guy on the field.” “Everyone would ask, ‘Why does Brooks have to take any groundballs?’ as he took his groundballs. I wouldn’t have any other expectations of Brooks. Any young person who saw him work in that manner was greatly encouraged. He was so steady, and he kept everyone else on their feet.” Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Fame third baseman, played for the Orioles for 23 seasons and won 16 Gold Gloves. Getty photographs/Rogers Photo Archive Dusty Baker, manager of the Houston Astros, recalled Robinson’s friendship during his early career, when he first joined Atlanta in the late 1960s. “I just feel sad. Baker stated, “Another great one is called to heaven.” “Up there, they have some all-stars. When I was a rookie with the Braves, he treated me very nicely. He was a true gentleman, and we frequently barnstormed with him…. I never once heard anything bad about him. Additionally, he played for a team with a number of African-American players, along with the Orioles. They probably had 10 or 12. He was adored by all. That speaks volumes. particularly in those days.” Robinson, who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1937, eventually settled in Baltimore, but he never really lost his southern twang. This was fine with his fans in blue-collar Baltimore, who appreciated his humble charm and demeanor. Known as “Mr. Oriole,” he was a sports hero in Charm City, along with Johnny Unitas, a former Colts quarterback, and Cal Ripken, an Orioles infielder who was popular in a different era. Robinson disliked sitting on the bench, which is why Ripken earned the moniker “The Iron Man” for playing in 2,632 consecutive games. He appeared in at least 152 games in 14 seasons between 1960 and 1975, as well as 144 games in the other two years. He stated, “I’m just a guy who wanted to see his name in the lineup every day.” “Baseball was a passion that was almost an obsession for me.” In 1977, Robinson left the team after only batting.149 in 24 games. That year, his jersey was retired. In a statement, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said, “I will always remember Brooks as a true gentleman who represented our game extraordinarily well on and off the field throughout his life.” “I send my deepest condolences to Brooks’ family, his many friends across our game, and Orioles fans everywhere on behalf of Major League Baseball,” The Orioles bounced back from their shocking loss to the New York Mets the year before, and Robinson redeemed himself by hitting just 1 for 19 in the 1970 World Series, his most memorable performance. Few people remember that he hit.429, homered twice, and drove in six runs during Baltimore’s five-game victory over the Reds, or that he made an error on his first play in the field. This is because he was so phenomenal in the field. In the seventh inning of Game 1, Robinson hit the game-winning home run. He spun around in foul territory and somehow threw out the runner in the inning before, making a sensational backhanded grab of a hard grounder hit down the line by Lee May. With his outstanding performance in Game 3, Robinson cemented his place in World Series history with an RBI single in the second game. He started a double play with a huge leaping catch of Tony Perez’s grounder in the first inning, charged a slow roller in the second inning and threw out Tommy Helms, and finished his memorable afternoon with a diving catch of Johnny Bench’s liner. The Orioles won Game 5 9-3 on a Robinson groundout, fittingly ending the Series. During the Series, Reds manager Sparky Anderson stated, “I’m beginning to see Brooks in my sleep.” “He’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first if I dropped this paper plate,” In 1983, Robinson won the first vote and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was selected for baseball’s All-Century team in 1999, which was given to the 25 greatest players of the 20th century. One of only six jerseys that the Orioles franchise has retired is his No. 5. How the Orioles came to be How the Orioles went from being laughed at to being a contender: The Homer Hose, the Adley Hug, and the perfect clubhouse mix. Jeffrey Passan Robinson was plagued by a series of health issues beginning in 2009. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, underwent abdominal surgery in 2010, contracted an infection while recovering, and was hospitalized for a month in 2012 after his chair fell off a banquet platform. Robinson auctioned off nearly all of his extensive memorabilia in his later years. In 2015, Robinson stated, “My children, they have everything they ever wanted from my collection.” “Throughout the years that we have lived in Baltimore, my family and I have been extremely fortunate. Therefore, it is time to give back.” According to Robinson, “every cent” of the money would be donated to worthy causes by the Constance and Brooks Robinson Foundation. Robinson was named the Orioles’ special adviser in July 2018, and he said he would focus more on community events. Robinson stated, “We had lunch when I talked to [chair and managing partner] John Angelos about three weeks ago.” “I told him, “I’ll do anything, but I don’t want to have to make any baseball decisions.” If you want the truth, I’ve forgotten about that.'” Robinson held the position of president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in addition to his work in the Orioles’ front office. This report was made possible by the Associated Press. Policy on Privacy and Terms of UseInterest-Based Ads The company ESPN Enterprises Reserved in all respects. Monitoring Shohei Ohtani’s pursuit of fifty home runs and fifty stolen bases play Will Judge and Ohtani accomplish significant feats at the end of the season? (1:22) Staff at ESPN September 2, 2024, 06:36 EST It’s possible that Shohei Ohtani is on his way to breaking yet another record. Picks from the Editors Shohei Ohtani moves to 40/40 the quickest; could 50/50 be within reach? 13d Doolittle, Bradford Ohtani became a member of the 40/40 club on Aug. 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays, when he stole a base and hit a walk-off grand slam in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing the largest contract in MLB history. 40/40 Club Join the Team Jr. Ronald Acuna (41 HR, 73 SB) Atlanta Braves, 2023 Alfonso Soriano, 2006 Washington Nationals (46 HR, 41 SB). Alex Rodriguez played for the Seattle Mariners in 1998 and had 42 HRs and 46 SBs. Jose Canseco, Oakland Athletics, 1998 (42 HR, 40 SB). Barry Bonds, who played for the San Francisco Giants in 1996, had 42 home runs and 40 steals. After hitting his 40th home run and 73 stolen bases in the final week of the regular season, Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. became the first player in MLB history to join the 40/40 club. Ohtani became the sixth player in MLB history to do so. Ohtani made MLB history on Monday by becoming the first player to hit 44 home runs and steal 44 bases in a single season. We are following Ohtani’s quest to become the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases with one month left in the Dodgers’ regular season. The bases 44, 45, and 46 were taken. Same Shohei, but a different month. In the Diamondbacks’ fourth inning, the Dodgers star stole his 44th base of the season. He stole bases 45 and 46 three innings later, making it the second time in his career that he has stolen three bases in one game. To become the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, Ohtani needs to play 25 games. Shohei Ohtani had 44 steals and 44 hits: pic.twitter.com/nbEQSMBnL8 — MLB, September 2, 2024 (@MLB) No. of stolen bases For Shohei Ohtani, 45 and 46! From the first 50/50 season in MLB history, he only has four SB and six hits. — MLB, September 2, 2024 (@MLB) No. 1 home run 44 In August, Ohtani found his stride. A day after hitting his 43rd home run, the Dodgers star hit a leadoff home run on Saturday. According to ESPN Stats & Information, it was his 12th home run in August, tied for third most in a month in his career. He continues to The home run by Shohei Ohtani 44! pic.twitter.com/zV2LQ20I9y — MLB on September 1, 2024 (@MLB) The number of stolen bases and home runs 43 Ohtani hit his 43rd home run in the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a 10-5 lead after stealing his 43rd base in the second inning. One of a kind. SHOHEI OHTANI is the first player to ever record both 43 stolen bases and 43 home runs in the same season. — MLB on August 31, 2024 (@MLB) Ohtani easily stole a base thanks to a pitch in the dirt from Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen. It was Ohtani’s 43rd stolen base, second most in Major League Baseball behind Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz. Shohei Ohtani is less than 50 bucks a steal: pic.twitter.com/mfQqZNaGMj — MLB on August 31, 2024 (@MLB) 42th home run and 41st and 42nd stolen bases Ohtani met the moment when he smashed a long ball off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes in the first inning on the bobblehead night that was dedicated to him and Decoy, his dog. On the fifth pitch of the game, the 391-foot homer was hit. According to ESPN Stats & Information, it was Ohtani’s fourth leadoff home run this season and his first at Dodger Stadium. DECOY’S father goes there: pic.twitter.com/uNNgHI30sP — August 29, 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) He also stole two bases, making it ten games this season in which he has hit a home run and stolen a base. This season, no other player has more than six. Another base for Shohei Ohtani that has been stolen: pic.twitter.com/4Aoc4AmrHT — August 29, 2024, SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) No. 1 home run 41 Ohtani crushed a 92 mph pitch from Taj Bradley to right field on a 2-1 count to bring Miguel Rojas home and give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead over Tampa Bay. Rojas was brought home by Ohtani. unable to stop the Sho! pic.twitter.com/FfL5C2vLZ5 — August 25, 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) No. 1 home run 40 Ohtani is probably the best player to have on the field when the game is at stake. Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and two strikes against the 30-year-old to beat the Rays 7-3. SHOHEI OHTANI JOINED THE 40/40 CLUB FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY BY SUCCESSING WITH A WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM. — August 24, 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) Policy on Privacy and Terms of ServiceInterest-Based Ads and Privacy Preferences The company ESPN Enterprises Reserved in all respects.