Today, May 18, marks the 72nd birthday of my childhood hero--and the childhood hero of most of my peers in Baltimore--Brooks Robinson. We all loved Brooksie and so did our parents who held him up as an example of a good athlete and a good person. I remember clearly my mother telling me that Brooks "never said a bad word," meaning that he never cursed.
I first "met" Brooks in 1965 when he was the guest of honor at the opening day ceremonies of the Carroll Manor Recreation Baseball League. We swarmed him with items to autograph and the parents all laughed when he said, "I think some of these kids are coming back for seconds!" I was on my way back for thirds but he was finally able to get away.
Any criticism directed towards Brooks was felt personally. Scholastic Magazine featured an article in a 1968 edition suggesting that the Cubs Ron Santo was the best third baseman in baseball. I wrote a scathing letter to them that demonstrated the error of their thinking. I still have their reply and I'm still not convinced.
It was in 1965 that I attended the first "Thanks, Brooks" night at Memorial Stadium when the fans and the Orioles acknowledged him for winning the American League MVP trophy for the year before. My fiance and I attended the second "Thanks, Brooks" day in August of 1977 when he retired. Now married, we ventured to Cooperstown to see Brooks inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 and then attended the game against the White Sox at which his induction was commemorated.
"Brooks" was the name we picked out for our first son, but he turned out to be a girl both times and so we have Becky and Sarah.
Brooks was the flashiest of fielders, but the most regular of guys and therein lies his greatest accomplishment. He's still my hero.
Happy birthday, Brooks, and thanks for being such a good example, both on and off the field.
I first "met" Brooks in 1965 when he was the guest of honor at the opening day ceremonies of the Carroll Manor Recreation Baseball League. We swarmed him with items to autograph and the parents all laughed when he said, "I think some of these kids are coming back for seconds!" I was on my way back for thirds but he was finally able to get away.
Any criticism directed towards Brooks was felt personally. Scholastic Magazine featured an article in a 1968 edition suggesting that the Cubs Ron Santo was the best third baseman in baseball. I wrote a scathing letter to them that demonstrated the error of their thinking. I still have their reply and I'm still not convinced.
It was in 1965 that I attended the first "Thanks, Brooks" night at Memorial Stadium when the fans and the Orioles acknowledged him for winning the American League MVP trophy for the year before. My fiance and I attended the second "Thanks, Brooks" day in August of 1977 when he retired. Now married, we ventured to Cooperstown to see Brooks inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 and then attended the game against the White Sox at which his induction was commemorated.
"Brooks" was the name we picked out for our first son, but he turned out to be a girl both times and so we have Becky and Sarah.
Brooks was the flashiest of fielders, but the most regular of guys and therein lies his greatest accomplishment. He's still my hero.
Happy birthday, Brooks, and thanks for being such a good example, both on and off the field.
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