Backroads and Ballplayers - Brooks
Brooks Calbert Robinson May 18, 1937 - September 26, 2023
I have written more words about Brooks Robinson than any Arkansas-born baseball player, but today I can’t think of any that adequately describe what he meant to this state, America, and baseball. He was our guy. He was one of the most outstanding players of his time, and unquestionably an even better person.
He made us proud as a player, but there have been thousands of good major leaguers. Brooks Robinson was different. Baseball fans connected with him. There were very few Baltimore Oriole fans in Arkansas when Brooks played, but in his days as an Oriole, he was every Arkansan’s “second favorite player,” or “favorite American League player,” or some category invented to rationalize the small obstacle that he did not play for their favorite team. Today, Arkansans are more likely to recall that he “was my grandpa’s favorite player,” or “he was my dad’s favorite player.”
Sportswriter and best-selling author, Joe Posnanski remembering his dad’s admiration of Brooks wrote…
And baseball to him was Brooks Robinson, the way he played, the way he carried himself. In our stamp-sized backyard, Dad would throw me ground balls and shout out, “Get in front of it like Brooks Robinson!” When I would make a diving stop, he’d shout, “There you go! Just like Brooks Robinson!” When I would throw the ball over his head, he’d remind me to not overthrow, to hit the first baseman in the chest, just like Brooks Robinson.
Below are links to the three Brooks Robinson stories I wrote for Only in Arkansas. I would suggest reading them in order. The first one is about his journey from Little Rock to the big leagues. The second recalls his epic performance in the 1970 World Series and his Hall of Fame Induction. The third is a tribute on Brooks Robinson Day in Baltimore.
Please feel free to leave comments about Brooks using the link at the end of this post.
Growing Up Brooks - Only in Arkansas November 30, 2020
Little Rock to Cooperstown - Only in Arkansas January 6, 2021
Jim, terrific article on a wonderful man. Mike loved Brooks Robinson and the fact that he was Arkansas. What a wonderful legacy Brooks left not only on the baseball field but in life. I was so sad when I read the news. I know he will be discussed profusely in Mike's SABR group.
Great stuff, Jim. A sad day for our state, our SABR chapter, and baseball fans everywhere. You may or may not know that George Brett wore #5 because of Brooks Robinson, which seems like the best tribute imaginable.