Signed as an amateur free agent in 1955, Brooks Robinson debuted that year in Baltimore as an 18-year old. It was clear from the beginning that he was a wizard with the glove, but it took him some time to develop his hitting game. In 1960, he did that, and throughout the decade and beyond, he was considered the best Third Baseman in the game.
1960 began a 15-year run of All-Star Games and a 16-year streak of Gold Glove wins. All discussions about Robinson begin with his glove. He would lead the American League in Defensive bWAR twice and was in the top five seven other times. He led all AL Third Baseman in Fielding Percentage eleven times, Total Zone Runs eight times, and Range Factor per Game four times.
Robinson batted .300 twice, with five other years reaching .280. He improved his power game, contributing 6 20 Home Run Seasons, and in 1964, he led the American League in RBIs (118) and had his best year with Home Runs (28) and Batting Average (.317). That year, Robinson won the MVP and was the second runner-up for the two years that followed. He also had two other top five finished in his career.
The master of the hot corner aided the Orioles in winning the 1966 and 1970 World Series, earning World Series MVP honors in the latter. Overall, he batted .303 in the postseason with 22 RBIs.
Robinson's play diminished, and he retired in 1977. He retired with 2,848 Hits, 268 Home Runs, and 1,357 RBIs. After his retirement, Robinson’s number 5 was retired by the team. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, in his first year of eligibility.
The Orioles inducted Robinson as one of the first two former players when the organization established its Hall of Fame in 1977.
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