Wilbert Robinson
Wilbert Robinson
(Uncle Robbie)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 8½", Weight 215 lb.
- Debut April 19, 1886
- Final Game September 29, 1902
- Born June 29, 1864 in Bolton, MA USA
- Died August 8, 1934 in Atlanta, GA USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1945
Biographical Information[edit]
"Robinson's world's record was made against St. Louis on June 10, 1892 . . . the pitching victims were Getzein, Young and Breitenstein. In seven times at bat, Robinson made six singles and a double, driving home 11 runs and scoring one himself." - Sporting Life of August 21, 1915, which also published the box score of that game, about Wilbert Robinson the player
"There's only one theory on pitching. Get the biggest guy you can find who can throw a ball through a two-inch plank and you got yourself a pitcher." - Wilbert Robinson the manager
Hall of Famer Wilbert Robinson played 17 years in the major leagues, mostly as a catcher, and then managed 19 years in the major leagues, winning the pennant in 1916 and 1920. The Brooklyn team he managed was informally known as the "Brooklyn Robins" during his long tenure with them, in his honor. His brother Fred Robinson played briefly in the majors.
As a player, Robinson was part of the famous National League Baltimore Orioles of the 1890s, along with John McGraw, Hughie Jennings, and a number of other famous players. He first managed in 1902, in his last season as a major league player, and then didn't manage in the majors again until 1914 - he was John McGraw's pitching coach with the New York Giants from 1903 to 1913, until a bitter parting of the ways when McGraw criticized Robinson for the team's pitching in the 1913 World Series. Robinson had never played for the Brooklyn team, but managed them beginning in 1914 for 18 years.
In addition to his playing record, Robinson umpired one National League game in 1898.
Robinson was General Manager of the Atlanta Crackers in 1933 and replaced Charley Moore as manager on August 12th.
He was reported to be a hotel keeper in Baltimore in 1907, see [1].
Notable Achievements[edit]
- NL Pennants: 2 (1916 & 1920)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1945
| Preceded by John McGraw |
Baltimore Orioles Manager 1902 |
Succeeded by Clark Griffith |
| Preceded by Bill Dahlen |
Brooklyn Robins Manager 1914-1931 |
Succeeded by Max Carey |
Year-By-Year Managerial Record[edit]
Records Held[edit]
- Hits, nine inning game, 7, 6/10/1892 (tied)
- Hits, doubleheader, 9, 6/10/1892 (tied)
Further Reading[edit]
- Chris Bumbaca: "Remembering when Charles Ebbets, Dodgers' manager were arrested for Sunday baseball game", USA Today, July 1, 2020. [2]
- Michael Clair: "Grapefruit League earned its name from a prank: Another great thing that came from a dumb idea", mlb.com, March 13, 2020. [3]
- Jack Kavanagh and Norman Macht: Uncle Robbie, SABR, Cleveland, OH, 1999.
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