Few players carry the statue of Frank Robinson.
Robinson, 83, passed away on Thursday after a long battle with illness. In addition to winning an MVP award in both leagues, Robinson became baseball’s first black manager in 1974. His number 20 was retired by the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants.
At the age of 20, Robinson was voted NL Rookie of the Year with a then rookie-record of 38 homers. He would go on to appear in 14 All-Star games and hit 586 career homers.
In 1961 Robinson would win the NL MVP award while with the Reds. Five years later with the Orioles he would claim the AL MVP award and to this day remains the only player to win an award in both leagues. In 1974 the Cleveland Indians made him MLB’s first black manager. He later managed the Giants, Orioles and Washington Nationals.
