![\"Robinson\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Robinson.jpg\")
<\/a>Say \u201cMVP\u201d in an exercise in word association and BBRT\u2019s response would be quick and clear \u2013 Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. In his 21 seasons as a player, Robinson earned MVP Awards for the NL and AL (regular season), World Series and All Star Game \u2013 and, in 16 seasons as a manager, he also earned the AL Manager of the Year Award.\u00a0 And, there were many more highlight achievements in Robinson\u2019s record-setting, award-winning and history-making MLB career.\u00a0 BBRT thinks this day, January 14, is a good day to reflect on Robinson\u2019s accomplishments.<\/p>\nFirst African-American manager in MLB<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On January 14, in 1981, Frank Robinson signed on to manage the San Francisco Giants.\u00a0 With that stroke of the pen he became the answer to one of BBRT\u2019s favorite trivia questions \u2013 Who was the first African-American Manager in the NL; in the AL?\u00a0 Kind of a trick question, Frank Robinson holds the \u201cfirst\u201d in both leagues.<\/p>\n First – and only – MVP in Both Leagues<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Like MVP, \u00a0first<\/em> is a word often associated with Robinson.\u00a0 He was the first<\/em> (and still only) player to win the Most Valuable Player Award in both the AL and NL.\u00a0 He was the NL MVP for the Reds in 1961, when he hit .323, with 37 home runs, 124 RBI and 22 steals; and he won the AL MVP award in 1966, when he went .316-49-122 for the Orioles. \u00a0That year, Robinson was first<\/em> in the AL in batting average (.316), home runs (49) and RBI (122), as well as first<\/em> in runs scored (122) \u2013 which also made him the first<\/em> African-American Triple Crown winner.<\/p>\n Award-Winning First Seaso<\/strong>n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Robinson started on his quest to finish at the top of the list in his very first season.\u00a0 As a rookie with the Reds in 1956, he not only won the Rookie of the Year Award, he tied the rookie record for home runs (38), since broken by Mark McGwire. He finished the season hitting .290 with 38 home runs, 83 RBI and a league-high 122 runs scored.<\/p>\n And, there were other firsts in Robinson\u2019s career.<\/p>\n First<\/em>\u00a0in Opening Day Home Runs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On April 8, 1975 (Opening Day in Cleveland) Robinson hit a home run in his first<\/em> at bat as a player-manager.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of the eight Opening Day home runs that put Robinson in first<\/em> place (tied with Ken Griffey, Jr.) for Opening Day homers (with eight).<\/p>\n First<\/em> to it One Completely Out of Memorial Stadium<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On May 6, 1966, he became the first (eventually only) player to hit a home run completely out of Baltimore\u2019s Memorial Stadium.<\/p>\n League Leader<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Over the course of his playing career, Robinson led his league (finished first<\/em>) in hit by pitch seven times, intentional walks four times, runs scored three times, and once each in doubles, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage, and total bases.<\/p>\n MVP – League, World Series, All Star Game<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to recognition, Robinson\u2019s not only has a Rookie of the Year and two regular season MVP Awards to his credit, he also earned a World Series MVP Award (1966, Orioles), MLB All Star Game MVP Award (1971)\u00a0 AL Manager of the Year Award (1989, Orioles) and Hickok Belt (1966, for top athlete in all sports).<\/p>\n Stat Lines<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In his 21-season playing career, Robinson hit .294, with 586 homers, 1,829 RBI, 1,812 runs scored and 204 steals.\u00a0 He was an All Star in 12 seasons and captured one Gold Glove.<\/p>\n In 16 seasons as a manager (Indians, 1975-77; Giants, 1981-84; Orioles 1988-91; Expos\/Nationals, 2002-2006), Robinson\u2019s teams won 1,065 games and lost 1,176.<\/p>\n Say \u201cMVP\u201d in an exercise in word association and BBRT\u2019s response would be quick and clear \u2013 Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. In his 21 seasons as a player, Robinson earned MVP Awards for the NL and AL (regular season), World Series and All Star Game \u2013 and, in 16 seasons as a manager, he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\nOh yeah, and he was, appropriately, \u00a0a first<\/em><\/span>-ballot Baseball Hall of Famer.<\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"