I appreciate in a very personal way the attention his death has garnered. In an era far removed from his playing days, Brooks Robinson deserves to be revered and remembered.
@@braviafeed BUT, my friend also A LOT OF THEM DON'T. NOT Saying ANYTHING A BAD ABOUT THE GUYS WHO TAKE THE GAME TOO HEART. NOT SO BAT FLIPPING, GIVING A GUY AN EVIL EYE IF HE THREW AT YOU. THUG BASEBALL IS NOT WHAT I WANT TOO SEE EVER. IT TURNS ME OFF THE GAME, WHEN I SEE IT. IN OTHER SPORTS.IT'S ALREADY BAD ENOUGH IN BASKETBALL AND IN FOOTBALL.
I met him at a card convention when I was a kid. Everyone stood in line to get his autograph. There must have been close to a hundred people in line. I was in the back. When I came forward he had a big smile, and a charming voice. One of those personalities which are electrifying, he lit up a room, the same room where Harmon Killebrew and Reggie Jackson were present. It's been 30 years I still have that autographed picture of him in a frame.
Five years ago we were at a memorial for a friends mom at a local Baltimore restaurant. Brooks was also there in another room receiving an award. When he found out that my friends mom was a huge Oriole and Brooks fan he came over, shook everyone’s hand and said some kind words to her family and friends. He was the most gracious and down to earth gentleman who just so happened to be the idol of all of the young men who were now old men n that room.
Incredibly well put. The man transcended baseball and was everything a baseball player should be. Between reading all the comments over the past 24 hours and hearing countless stories, the man showed humility to everyone. Growing up in Baltimore long after his playing days only makes me wish I was able to see him and the blade be air tight on the left side of the infield. I hope he’s somehow able to see his Os make a deep playoff push this year
This is the best and most passionate tribute to Brooks that I have seen, thus far. Thank you Brian. My first MLB game was my 7th birthday in 1971. My dad and I sat in the 3rd base box seats at Memorial Stadium (Brooks' side). When we talked about going to games, my friends and I would always say that we wanted to sit on Brooks' side. We studied how he played. Every Little League coach taught us how to keep our feet a little closer and hands up in front of us, just like Brooks. The smoothing out of the ground in front of us with our feet (just a couple swipes) became a natural habit to almost every infielder. I played basketball against his sons and eventually baseball with them in High School. Lots of memories of Brooks' the dad and man. He was special. My condolences to Mrs. Robinson, Brooks David, Chris, Pic and Diana and their families.
Mr BROOKS ROBINSON IS OLD SCHOOL BASEBALL AT ITS FINEST. NO SHOWBOAT, ALL BUSINESS, YET...HE HAD FUN PLAYING. CONDOLENCES TOO HIS FAMILY & FRIENDS. TOO ORIOLE NATION I CRY WITH YOU( EVEN AS A DIEHARD WHITE SOXS FAN FROM CHICAGO.) RIP TOO THE ONE & ONLY BROOKS ROBINSON & TELL EARL WEAVER TOO STOP YELLING AT THE UMPS IN HEAVEN 😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣)
Brian Kenny - hands down the best tribute! I grew up watching Brooksy at Baltimore's old Memorial Stadium. Just seven rows up from the field on the 3rd base side with season tickets. How many double plays I saw him start? God knows. How many bare handed throw outs? Countless. How many clutch hits? The list goes on. Another nickname for him was "The Human Vacuum Cleaner." And as humans go he was as good as they come.
Thank you Mr. Kenny and MLB Network for a truly wonderful tribute to Brooks. You brought tears to my eyes watching this! I'm old enough to have seen him play at Memorial Stadium (Family had a full 81 game season ticket package throughout the 70's & most of the 80's). Baltimore Orioles fans are truly blessed for some of the icons who've played for the O's. Brooks was the original Oriole icon. As a kid in little league, everyone 'fought' over who would be wearing #5, regardless if one played 3rd base or not. Every kid wanted to emulate his greatness, in any way possible, by wearing #5. Brooks was everything as a player and a human being that represented greatness in a sports figure to emulate in one's life. For those that followed afterwards, maybe that person is Cal Ripken, Jr. for themselves. But Brooks was the first. He was the best. "This kind of person leaves a space that cannot be filled..." Well said. Thank you again!
This was a powerful, moving tribute; thank you, Mr. Kenny! Decades ago, I heard Bob Costa say that Brooks Robinson "redefined the position"; and he was so right. But I don't think anyone since has ever lived up to the otherworldly standard he set.
My dad and grandpa would always say of him: “if an opponent hit the ball to third base, they were better off just walking back to the dugout because they were out.” Had the pleasure of meeting him when I was around 12 or so at a fan fest event in PA (fun fact: he is a founder of the Atlantic League) and I remember him having a genuine ear to ear smile on his face. You could tell he was so happy to share his love of the game with everyone he came into contact with, and that is something he did from the day he entered the majors to the day he passed. To me, Mr Hoover is the best defensive player in baseball history. He will be missed dearly in Baltimore and in the world of baseball.
I had the great privilege to meet Mr. Robinson at a Golf Charity Event in St, Croix, USVI that I worked at. The thing I will always remember is he went out of his way to introduce himself to me. He got up out of his chair and said "I don't believe I've met you yet, I'm Brooks Robinson." Of course I already knew that but the fact he would take the time to do that has stuck with me ever since. A great player and a better man.
It occurred to me while watching those highlights that baseball fielding is one of the very few athletic skills that is directly comparable between generations. There is no technology or rule changes that gets in the way of seeing how great his reflexes, instincts and skill were. Nobody today comes close to being that level of fielder.
All you have to do is listen to players who played AGAINST him and you will get a small sense of how much they respected him on and off the field. NOBODY is going to touch those fielding stats at 3B because nobody is going to play 23 seasons in the majors. Watching the 1970 WS against the Reds and was in awe of how he single handedly won that WS for Baltimore. When you cannot find anyone to say anything negative about someone, you know they were raised properly. My condolences to his family, friends, fans, teammates and the city of Baltimore.
Amazing tribute. Thank you. Everything Brian said about Brooks' heart and ethic for the game comes down to what we now know as - The Oriole Way. Mr. Robinson instilled that in this franchise, and later Cal Ripkin Jr. would immortalize it even more. But The Oriole Way always starts with Brooks Robinson 5.
Playing little league baseball in Timonium Md, Brooks did the opening ceremonies and shook all our hands. He led as a great human being first, and a great ball player next. I remember little from when I was 9 years old, but shaking his hand is a memory I’ll never forget. Fortunate to see him play as often as I did. He signed autographs till no one was left in line, and couldn’t dream of charging someone for it. Thanks for the memories, Brooks!!
Nicely done video. I was a big Brooks Robinson fan growing up. I had a Rawlings Brooks Robinson model glove when I played third base in high school. Years later, I took my young son to meet him at a Crown gas station grand opening in Woodbridge VA and I had Brooks autograph my old Brooks Robinson glove. Nice man and the best 3rd baseman ever.
Me. I heard that name a hundred thousand times growing up. Back then (80s) it wasn't like you could pull up videos of the guy's highlights at a whim like now. I only knew how Robinson played because my dad couldn't stop talking about him when we watched baseball or when I was playing little league. When I finally saw his highlights years later, I was amazed at how somehow they were still even more impressive than I'd imagined. That guy had heart like nobody's business.
Godspeed Brooksie, you were and always will be my baseball hero..... they say never meet your heroes you'll be disappointed, well I met mine and as good a third baseman as he was he was a better human being. Legend is a hard descriptor to live up to, you did it in every way, on and off the field.
Loved watching Brooks play 3rd for the O's. He was really something. So glad that I decided to follow the Orioles. That cartoon bird was all it took. What a thrill 1970 was. Nicely put Brian. Rest in heaven Brooks.
Robinson was my dad’s favorite player growing up, so he took me to a celebrity baseball game Robinson managed comprised of mostly basketball players. Most people in the stands had basketballs to get autographed. I was one of the few with a baseball, and he made a B-Line to me to get the ball signed. Still the only autograph I ever got.
Brooks Robinson is a big reason why in the 1960s and 1970s Baltimore was always one of the very best teams in baseball. Brooksie is the top fielding third baseman ever.
When more than 45 years after he retired Brooks Robinson inspires Brian Kenny to talk about him in such a profound, respectful and passionate way it is because he was something really special. I was 12 in 1970 when Brooks stole the spotlight from everybody else in that WS against the Reds, setting the baseball world on fire with spectacular play after spectacular play, and on top of that, pulverizing Cincinnati pitching as if he had invented the game. No doubt, Brooks was the best at his position and only a few others are able to make a similar claim. RIP Mr Robinson. ⚾
when he was playing I grew up at the end of the block at Memorial Stadium. I went to bed as a child to the crowds cheering and the organ music all summer long. I was a Jr. Oriole, played baseball in the parking lot. such great memories
Mr. Robinson "Brooksie" you inspired me to play the game & always wore # 5, just wanted to be a little like you, Thank you for the kinda person you were. Your kindness will always be remembered.
Incredible and deep insight into the career of Brooks Robinson. I was a huge fan since birth, but I did not realize he was such an ironman at 3rd base. Just 45 games missed in 14 years is amazing!!
RIP to the human vaccum cleaner! Him and Johnny U was the end all be all for sports for my grandfather growing up here in Baltimore! If my O’s can send him off with a World Series, I kno my grandfather would be the happiest man in heaven!!
Herb Score was an announcer and player for the Cleveland Indians. I remember back in early 70s listening to Score announcing game between orioles and tribe. Well Robinson made 2 terrific plays at third to stop a rally. Score went on and on about those two plays the rest of the game. He usually never did that. He was a rally killer!
His and Reggie Jacksons baseball cards would be on my bicycle spokes ,we shared the same Birthday along with George Strait ,the 3 of them in their respective Halls of Fame , RIP #5 🙏
Tremendous, Brian Kenny. Spot on in every way. Brooksie, #5 on the field, #1 in our hearts. PS Any baseballs rolling around Heaven, consider ‘em vacuumed! 😊
Brooks was great.I remember him well. The defensive statistics you showed make a strong case for Graig Nettles being in the Hall of Fame He wasn't as great as Brooks, but neither was anyone else. I remember his performance in the 78 World Series agains the Dodgers. It was the best I've ever seen and it started that allowed the Yankees their comeback Series win.
1971 I believe it was August against the Oakland A's at memorial stadium, I witness something truly unbelievable. Brooks made three errors in one inning I never heard the stadium so silent in my life. Yes he's the human vacuum cleaner and yes he is human
Great tribute. Brooks was a better person that he was a ball player. Stan Musial like. Wayne Gretzky like. Easily the most beloved athlete in Baltimore history.
Even though Brooks did not live long enough to see his beloved Orioles [possibly] win another World Series this year, he had to be heartened to witness them return to competitiveness after so many years--decades, really--of total mediocrity.
Why do players always go on the IL these days. When I was a kid injuries were a factor in pro football going into each Sundays game. About 20 years ago baseball players were always going on the IL. I don't get it.
No offense to a truly class act, but Brooks was the worst All Century Team selection by the fans in 1999, and was the worst selection on the team of the 25 players selected. First off, his offense production was miniscule compared to Mike Schmidt. It was substantially worse than Eddie Matthews or George Brett, the two biggest snubs left off the team at 3B. Defensively, no doubt, he was probably the most valuable 3B of all time with the glove. I don't think he will have more defensive value than Nolan Arenado, the best I've ever seen at third, he's slightly better than Schmidt on a 162 game basis, but that lack of offense leaving Brett off the team can't be justified. He was a perfect example of why fans can't be trusted with such an important vote. Lowly Kansas City fans were outnumbered by the guy who had a few big plays in playoff games that elevated him to idolatry. You could make an argument that Craig Nettles did the same things and was 90% of what Robinson was. But fans in big markets made him into much more than he was. Hell, the same fans left Stan Musial and Honus Wagner off the All Century Team and the experts had to put them on. (They also chose Nolan Ryan over Greg Maddux, so...) I think he was a truly class act and a nice man. And that seemed to be more important than actually finding the two best third basemen. I would put Brett and Schmidt on that team, and I would probably have Brooks as my Fifth or Six choice at 3B. Wade Boggs's Top 3 seasons, five year best, per 162 games, and career total in Win Shares are all better. So are Home Run Baker and Paul Molitor for that matter. A First Ballot man and a ballplayer? Sure. Someone we will all miss? Absolutely. One of the two best third basemen of all time? Absolutely not.
When I was 11, I couldn't stand Brooks...it was 1970 and I was a Reds fan, need I say more ? As I grew older I came to appreciate and respect him. He became one of my all - time favorites ! I have seen a TON of great 3rd Basemen, Schmidt, Brett, Arenado...even a guy no one talks about ( wasn't around very long because he couldn't hit ) who may have been the 2nd best with the leather...John Vukovich. But Brooks was the best...no one went to their backhand better, no one made the bare hand play on the slow - roller better. I think a lot of his appeal was, he didn't "look" like an athlete. He wasn't huge, he was a little pudgy around the middle, he didn't have bulging biceps coming out of those short sleeves....he looked like a regular guy...you could picture him going to work in an office building in a suit...which made the things he did on a baseball field all the more remarkable ! I'm slowly losing all of my childhood heroes. A couple years ago was tough when we lost Joe Morgan, Frank Robinson, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Whitey Ford, Al Kaline...then "Hammerin' Hank...Brooks hurts just as much...to all Orioles fans out there...I bleed Cincinnati Red...but I'll be pulling for your O's in the playoffs ! R.I.P. to a true legend !
