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Robby

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 11:53 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 02 2006 12:02 PM

Frank Robinson is one of baseball's treasures. This is a guy who was an absolute stud as a player and since his playing days were over, he's done nothing but represent himself and the game of baseball with dignity and class. He doesn't relish being referred to as "Old School", but that's what he is. Think about the ways that he has served the game that he loves. He was a player-manager - one of the few, and oh yeah, he just happened to be the first man of color to manage a MLB team - combining these two feats. He took over a reeling Orioles club that started the season 0-21, restored their confidence and led them to an 87 win season the following year. He said yes when MLB asked him to steward the "almost-contracted, owned by MLB" Expos in 2002. The assignment was supposed to be for a year. He lasted 5. Baseball is not as good without people like Frank Robinson to make it that way! Thanks Frank.

Johnny Dickshot Oct 02 2006 11:59 AM

Thanks, Frank.

sharpie Oct 02 2006 12:03 PM

Welcome, Ned. I always liked Frank. I was living in San Francisco when he was managing the Giants. I liked it that he was happy to cut or bench players he didn't like regardless of how they were viewed by the organization. He'll be missed.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 12:12 PM

sharpie wrote: I liked it that he was happy to cut or bench players he didn't like regardless of how they were viewed by the organization. Another fine example of why FR will always be conisdered "Old-School", whether he wants it or not. If not "Old School" Frank how about this - you played and managed the game the way it was intended to be.

ScarletKnight41 Oct 02 2006 12:14 PM

The man worked hard and played hard from as far back as I can remember. One can't help but have a lot of respect for Frank Robinson.

Elster88 Oct 02 2006 12:24 PM

Nice post. Did he really go by Robby?

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 01:07 PM

Elster88 wrote: Did he really go by Robby? I don't know if he "went by" Robby, but I've certainly heard him referred to by that name. Of course, I've lived in the D.C. area for over 24 years now, and we all know how big he was in Balt. as both a player and manager. It may be something I picked up on here.

KC Oct 02 2006 01:11 PM

baseball-reference has no nickname listed for him under his name. The HOF site says it's The Judge.

Yancy Street Gang Oct 02 2006 01:33 PM

I was surprised at how beloved Frank Robinson was in Washington. (He was only there for two years.) I guess there's a large crossover between Orioles fans and Nationals fans. I wonder, are most Washington fans also Oriole fans? If so, it may take a generation or more before there's any two-way rivalry. As for the Robby stuff, I seem to remember references to F. Robby and B. Robby when Frank and Brooks were together on the Orioles. I also remember an article in LIFE magazine (I think) in the early 70's titled, "Why do they keep trading Frank Robinson?" Frank bounced around a bit after he left the Orioles. I remember he was an Angel, an Indian, and perhaps a Dodger.

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2006 01:55 PM

That was a nice tribute on Sunday, but I couldn't help thinking as the video montage was playing with rock music (Journey?) blasting over it that Frank was thinking to himself; 'what is this shit?' Frank was a tough SOB when he played ... and that's what his friends called him.

Johnny Dickshot Oct 02 2006 01:58 PM

The Reds shipped him to Baltimore in 66 saying he was "an old 30." Suckers. Back when when he was managing the O's I sat in on a few of FR's post-game interviews, terrified to ask questions. You could tell by the tone of his voice what he he wanted -- and didn't want -- to discuss. Frank was a pioneer as Indians manager of course but that was back in their bloody monochrone maroon uniform days and he often looked ridiculous.

Edgy DC Oct 02 2006 02:09 PM

What Ned isn't telling us (and welcome aboardarino, neighbor) is that Frank didn't actually take over an Oriole team that started 0-21, but rather an Oriole team that starte 0-6 (under Cal Ripken, Sr.), before losing another 15 straight after Robby took over. I'm not saying that necessarily reflects mostly on him or anything.

HahnSolo Oct 02 2006 02:13 PM

Everybody loves Frank. Well, maybe not Rod Gaspar.

Johnny Dickshot Oct 02 2006 02:13 PM

Rod Gaspar Stupid

Willets Point Oct 02 2006 02:20 PM

Is Frank Robinson retiring?

OlerudOwned Oct 02 2006 02:20 PM

Rod Gaspar [url=http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/files/115500/115703.html]selling car[/url]

Edgy DC Oct 02 2006 02:24 PM

Get a gas car from gaspar! He was selling insurance last I checked.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 02:35 PM

Willets Point wrote: Is Frank Robinson retiring? Well, he's being forced out as manager of the nats, says he doesn't want to manage anymore but doesn't want to retire from the game. He still feels he can contribute to a team in some capacity, and I'm in agreement with that.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 02:38 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Frank didn't actually take over an Oriole team that started 0-21, but rather an Oriole team that starte 0-6 (under Cal Ripken, Sr.), before losing another 15 straight after Robby took over. Ok, so my memory's a little fuzzy, but he did manage them the next year and tally 87 wins, no? So my point was half-valid. ;)

Elster88 Oct 02 2006 02:43 PM

I'm not sure why he had to remind the world of his stats though.

Hillbilly Oct 02 2006 02:45 PM

Frank's 71. I hope he enjoys his retirement. One of my all-time favorite non Mets. Nice work in this thread Ned.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 02:48 PM

Elster88 wrote: I'm not sure why he had to remind the world of his stats though. It was part of his "No regrets" package. I'm sure many people have asked him over the years if he regretted coming so close to 3000 hits (44 short?) & 600 dingers (14 short). He was just expressing that he has no regrets and is thankful toward the game of baseball.

G-Fafif Oct 02 2006 02:52 PM

I recall contemporary accounts referring to the leaders of those great Oriole teams as "F. Robby" and "B. Robby". Also, Terry Cashman immortalized Jackie and Frank as "one Robby going out, one coming in." Speaking of coming in, Go Ned.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 02:57 PM

Hillbilly wrote: One of my all-time favorite non Mets. As well as mine. One of the few guys who spans my childhood and ..ahem... my adulthood. Hillbilly wrote: Nice work in this thread Ned. Grazi

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 02:59 PM

G-Fafif wrote: Go Ned. What, I'm not welcome? What'd I say? ;)

Edgy DC Oct 02 2006 03:00 PM

Ned Fengus wrote: ="Edgy DC"]Frank didn't actually take over an Oriole team that started 0-21, but rather an Oriole team that starte 0-6 (under Cal Ripken, Sr.), before losing another 15 straight after Robby took over. Ok, so my memory's a little fuzzy, but he did manage them the next year and tally 87 wins, no? So my point was half-valid. ;) More than half. You'll soon find out --- or Willpie will let you know --- that I'm infuriatingly pedantic. I'm trying to cut back, for my woman's sake, if not for the forum's.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 03:03 PM

Edgy DC wrote: I'm trying to cut back, for my woman's sake, if not for the forum's. Best of luck! We are who we are.

Yancy Street Gang Oct 02 2006 03:10 PM

Not to nitpick, Ned, but that avatar's a bit wide. Try to keep it to 160 pixels or less so it doesn't distort the entire page.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 03:11 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Not to nitpick, Ned, but that avatar's a bit wide. Try to keep it to 160 pixels or less so it doesn't distort the entire page. Done

G-Fafif Oct 02 2006 03:18 PM

Ned Fengus wrote: ="G-Fafif"]Go Ned. What, I'm not welcome? What'd I say? ;) That's go as in Go Tigers.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 03:23 PM

Or....Let's Go Mets!!!

Yancy Street Gang Oct 02 2006 03:26 PM

That avatar still looks awfully wide to me. Am I the only one seeing it?

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 03:27 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: That avatar still looks awfully wide to me. Am I the only one seeing it? 158x106

cooby Oct 02 2006 03:27 PM

No, I can see it

Yancy Street Gang Oct 02 2006 03:29 PM

I'm seeing it at 400 x 267.

metirish Oct 02 2006 03:30 PM

I'm seeing it as 158 - 106

OlerudOwned Oct 02 2006 03:31 PM

I've got it at Ned's Smaller Size. Go figg're.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 03:31 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: I'm seeing it at 400 x 267. I'm using IE7 at the moment and I right clicked for properties and it said 158x106. In my view my avatar is just a hair wider than yours, but doesn't distort the page at all.

cooby Oct 02 2006 03:31 PM

I am too, clear your cookies Yancy.

Ned Fengus Oct 02 2006 03:37 PM

So now that we got that cleared up.....I was going to use this , as I figured it kind of summed it all up, but when I looked back in my archive and saw the live game shot, well....I couldn't resist.

seawolf17 Oct 02 2006 05:31 PM

Ned Fengus wrote: Well, he's being forced out as manager of the nats, says he doesn't want to manage anymore but doesn't want to retire from the game. He still feels he can contribute to a team in some capacity, and I'm in agreement with that. Can he throw strikes? We could use another arm until Pedro comes back. Seriously, the guy's a legend in every way, yet never seems to get the props he deserves. WTG, Frank.

MFS62 Oct 03 2006 09:15 AM

Frank was and still is my favorite all time player. He was a leader on the field and a ground breaker off it. I hope, as I read a few days ago, that his long time friendship will Omar will land him a position with the Mets. Later

Ned Fengus Oct 03 2006 10:13 AM

MFS62 wrote: his long time friendship will Omar will land him a position with the Mets. Elaborate - if you will. I had no idea that they have known each other for a while - of course they knew each other from the Expos, but that is hardly long term.

MFS62 Oct 03 2006 10:23 AM

I dunno how far back it actually goes, I read that in the paper. But I would guess Robby was an inspiration to Omar because he was the first minority GM and Omar may have first talked to him when he was considering going after a front office position. But it at least goes back to their days in Montreal. And that's probably "far back" when you are talking about baseball relationships. Later

Edgy DC Oct 03 2006 10:34 AM

Who did Robinson GM for? A little from wikipedia: ]Robinson's style of managing is somewhat controversial. In 2005, the Montreal Gazette's Stephanie Myles reported that he had spent much time playing golf during his years in Montreal. The septuagenarian sometimes spent 16 hour days between the course and the games at night. This practice came under heightened scrutiny in the American capital. Also, some journalists have questioned his lack of use of statistics to determine pitching match-ups with his hitting line-ups. Robinson defended his style of managing by saying that he goes by his "gut feeling." In a June 2005 Sports Illustrated poll of 450 MLB players, Robinson was selected the worst manager in baseball. In 2005, one of Robinson's Nationals players asked him, in all seriousness, if he had ever played in the majors. This was reported on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel as an illustration of how little some current players are aware of the history of the game. On Thursday, April 20, 2006, with the Nationals winning 10-4 against their division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, Nats manager Frank Robinson got his 1,000th win, becoming the 53rd manager to reach that milestone[1]. He had earned his 1,000th loss two seasons earlier.[2] During a game against the Houston Astros on May 25, 2006, Frank Robinson was forced to pull out the Nationals catcher, Matt LeCroy, during the middle of the 7th inning. In baseball, there is an unwritten rule that managers do not remove position players in the middle of an inning. Instead, managers are supposed to discretely switch position players in between innings. However, Nationals third string catcher, Matt LeCroy, let Houston Astros baserunners steal seven bases over seven innings with two throwing errors. Although the Nationals won the game 8-5, Frank Robinson found the decision so difficult to make on a player he respected so much, he broke down crying during the post-game interviews.[3]. In Novemeber 2005, five months after that dis' in Sports Illustrated, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That's got to be some solace, right?