Bobby Robinson (robinbo02)

Norman Wayne Robinson

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Dunbar High School (Okmulgee)
• Debut 1939
• Final Game 1948
• Born April 1, 1913 in Oklahoma City, OK USA
• Died March 26, 1984 in Pacoima, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bobby Robinson, also known as Norman Robinson, was a Negro League player for 11 years; his brother Frazier Robinson also played in the Negro Leagues.

Bobby debuted in 1940 with the Baltimore Elite Giants; an outfielder, the 27-year-old rookie backed up Henry Kimbro, George Scales and Bill Hoskins. After two years away, he returned in 1943 to hit .300 for Baltimore. He couldn't crack the starting outfield of Kimbro, Hoskins and Bob Harvey. He improved to .361 while remaining on the bench in 1944. Starting at third base for the 1945 Elite Giants, he hit .289. He started alongside Hoskins and Kimbro in the otufield in 1946 but fell to .198.

Robinson split 1947 between Baltimore and the Birmingham Black Barons. He started 1948 as the center fielder for Birmingham and hit .299 for the year. He played alongside Ed Steele and Jim Zapp in the outfield. When Robinson injured his leg that season, it created an opening in center for a young Willie Mays and the rest is history. Robinson moved to left field upon his return and Birmingham made it to the 1948 Negro World Series, which they lost to the Homestead Grays.

Bobby batted .323 in 1949 and .309 in 1950. At age 38, he made his only All-Star team, hitting sixth and playing left field for the East in the 1951 East-West Game. Robinson had more total bases and runs produced than any other player that day in the East's 3-1 win. He doubled in Ed Steele in the 6th but was out trying for a triple. In the 9th, he doubled and scored on a Ben Littles triple. He went 2 for 4 on the day. He ended his career with the 1952 Birmingham club.

Sources

• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester

Related Sites

• Bobby Robinson at the SABR Bio Project