If you love baseball, or if you’re a Baltimore Orioles fan, you’ve seen the play. Whether it’s in fuzzy black-and-white or a clip that’s vivid in color, it ends the same.
It’s Game 1 of the 1970 World Series in Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium between the Orioles and the Reds, and with the score tied, Cincinnati’s Lee May steps up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. May takes an offering from Jim Palmer and absolutely scorches a one-hopper down the left-field line for what surely seems to be an extra-base hit in a crucial moment.
Except, Brooks Robinson was there.
The man who repeatedly lived up to his nickname – The Human Vacuum Cleaner – drifted back and to his right, near the edge of the infield, and made a backhand stab to catch the ball. Robinson then, with his momentum carrying him well into foul territory, pulls off a 180-degree spin and makes a near-perfect throw to Boog Powell at first base to beat May by a half step.
Today, we call that play a web gem. Back then, it was just Brooks being Brooks. In the top of the seventh inning of that game, he sent the game-winning home run over the left field wall. The Orioles won Game 1, 4-3, and then won the series, 4-1. Robinson was named MVP.
Brooks Robinson, arguably the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball, died Tuesday, the Orioles announced in a statement. He was 86.
Also known by the nickname Mr. Impossible for his heroics in the hot corner and his clutch swings at the plate, Robinson played 23 years of Major League Baseball — all for the Orioles. He won an AL MVP award in 1964, and finished top 10 in voting for the award six other times. He helped the O’s win two World Series championships (1966, 1970), was an 18-time All-Star and has 16 Gold Glove awards — more than any non-pitcher in the history of baseball.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for Baltimore and baseball fans everywhere. Brooks was Mr. Oriole. He was beloved and rightfully so. His historic career on the field pales to the impact he's made on so many of us …
— Cal Ripken, Jr. (@CalRipkenJr) September 26, 2023
Robinson entered the Hall of Fame in 1983, was named to the MLB All-Century Team in 1999 and is one of just six Orioles to have their number retired by the club. The high school baseball all-star game in Maryland is named after him too — as are countless children who were born to Orioles’ fans in the last 60 years.
While the O’s are currently having one of their best seasons in recent memory and have clinched a playoff berth, we should take a moment to remember what an incredible player and ambassador for baseball that Robinson was.
1
Again, his nickname was ‘The Human Vacuum Cleaner’
And for good reason. Robinson has a defensive WAR of 39.1, which is third-best all-time among all players, trailing only his teammate at shortstop Mark Belanger and Cardinals’ legend Ozzie Smith. Robinson also ranks first all-time in games played at third base with 2,870.
And who is first in MLB history for putouts, assists and double plays turned by a third baseman? That’s right: Robinson.
Brooks Robinson was a hell of a third baseman. RIP pic.twitter.com/8pg0g4LJCS
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) September 26, 2023
2
His performance in the 1970 World Series remains among the greatest
Everyone remembers that miraculous play in Game 1, but Robinson’s performance was crucial for the Orioles through the entire series, on offense and defense. He finished the series with a .429 batting average, hitting two home runs and tallying six RBI in five games.
Brooks Robinson – “The Human Vacuum Cleaner.” pic.twitter.com/w2cqjuRoz9
— BaltimꪮreTom (@BaltimoreTom) September 26, 2023
3
Robinson was an awesome hitter too
In 1964 when he won AL MVP, Robinson led the league in RBI with 118. He also led the AL in sacrifice flies four times. Robinson retired with 268 home runs and is top 50 all-time in hits with 2,848.
4/19/1977: The 268th and final home run of Brooks Robinson’s #MLB career was this walk-off, three-run shot for the #Orioles. #Birdland (via MLB) @OriolesMuse @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/q9KeIeGJFF
— MLB Daily Dingers (@MLBDailyDingers) June 2, 2023
4
He was an icon in Baltimore
And he absolutely loved the city and its people.
Jim Palmer reflects on the legacy of Brooks Robinson. pic.twitter.com/2UlvMt5gBd
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) September 26, 2023
Brooks Robinson on playing in Baltimore and making it his home from a 1977 @wjz profile “I think it’s just a fantastic place to live.” https://t.co/8ApboNVTq0 pic.twitter.com/eVnWL9Prjg
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) September 26, 2023
Also, this commercial was great.
Baseball legends Frank & Brooks Robinson – Miller Lite Beer Commercial (1980) #MLB #LaborDayWeekend2018 pic.twitter.com/hkLnj5i4Ii
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) September 1, 2018
5
Robinson was widely respected across the sport
Pete Rose once said, “Brooks Robinson belongs in a higher league.”
And teammate Frank Robinson added: “He was the best defensive player at any position. I used to stand in the outfield like a fan and watch him make play after play. I used to think, ‘wow, I can’t believe this.’”
Brooks Robinson was my Dad’s favorite player. To the generation of O’s fans that grew up in the 1960s and 70s going to Memorial Stadium, he was their Cal Ripken Jr. He was a legend, and he’ll be greatly missed.
The nicest superstar ever, Brooks Robinson. https://t.co/XQpmKulRuP pic.twitter.com/zdP0MU4ub6
— Tim Kurkjian (@Kurkjian_ESPN) May 18, 2020
What a cool moment, Dusty Baker warmly greeting Brooks Robinson. Man, that gets all the feels. pic.twitter.com/p6H3KKdhP3
— Pete Gilbert (@WBALPete) September 24, 2022
Remembering Brooks Robinson pic.twitter.com/piLUfQuLYz
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 26, 2023
