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Frank Robinson Biography

Birth Name:Frank Robinson

Birth Place:Beaumont, Texas, United States

Profession Actor

Fast Facts

  • Was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982
  • In 1989, he was named American League Manager of the Year
  • In high school, he played baseball with future major leaguers Curt Flood and Vada Pinson
  • Played high school basketball alongside future NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell
  • Signed with the Cincinnati Reds out of high school for a $3,500 bonus in 1953
  • Quote: "The baselines belong to the runner, and whenever I was running the bases, I always slid hard․ I wanted infielders to have that instant's hesitation about coming across the bag at second or about standing in there awaiting a throw to make a tag․"
  • Quote: "Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down․ It made me more determined․ I wouldn't let that pitcher get me out․ They say you can't hit if you're on your back, but I didn't hit on my back․ I got up․"
  • An MLB player best known as a right fielder for the Cincinnati Reds
  • Was one of the most feared baserunners in the MLB during his era
  • Was the first African-American to manage a major league club, a feat he accomplished when he was named the Cleveland Indians' player-manager in 1975