Robinson, Brooks C.
Baseball
b. May 18, 1937, Little Rock, AR
Known as "Hoover" or the "Human Vacuum Cleaner" because of his astounding defensive abilities at third base, Robinson could also drive in runs when they were needed.
He was with the AL's Baltimore Orioles briefly in 1955 and 1956, became a part-time player in 1957, and alternated between second base and third base in 1958. Robinson missed much of the 1959 season with a knee injury and finally settled in as a full-time starter at third base in 1960, when he hit .294.
That was the first of fifteen consecutive years in which he appeared in an All-Star game and the first of eleven seasons in which Robinson led the league's third basemen in fielding percentage.
Robinson had his finest offensive season in 1964, when he was named the AL's most valuable player. He batted .317 that year with 28 home runs and a league-leading 118 RBI.
It was in the 1970 World Series, though, that Robinson really became a legend. He robbed Cincinnati of at least four hits and five runs, hit a game-winning home run, and batted .429 with 6 RBI and 4 runs scored, as Baltimore beat the Reds in five games.
In 1976, Robinson became a part-time player, batting only .211 in 71 games. He retired after the 1977 season with 16 Gold Glove Awards, a record for non-pitchers. He also holds major league records for third basemen in assists, putouts, total chances accepted, double plays, and fielding percentage.
Robinson had 2,848 hits in 2,896 games, with 482 doubles, 68 triples, and 268 home runs. He drove in 1,357 runs and scored 1,232.