Roberts, Robin

Robin Roberts has stories to tell.  He played Major League Baseball from 1948 to 1966, pitching in both leagues.  He pitched to Jackie Robinson more times than any other pitcher.  He won 20 or more games six years in a row.  He won an amazing 28 games in 1952 and 286 games in his career.  It is difficult to imagine that Robin threw 28 consecutive complete games and led the league in complete games 5 consecutive seasons.  He also started a record 5 All-Star games for the National League.  In 1976, he was elected in Baseball’s Hall of Fame, the highest honour for any player.

Robin’s off-the-field influences on the game of baseball are as significant as his many accomplishments on the playing field.  Robin was instrumental in the hiring of Marvin Miller to be the first executive director of the Major League Baseball Players’ Association.  Robin loved the game, believed it was a privilege to be able to make his living playing it, and did not want to do anything to harm the National Pastime.  So when he offered Miller the job, he exacted a promise from him that the players’ union would never strike.  When the PA went on strike for the first time in 1972, Robin, by then retired as an active player, immediately called Miller to remind him of his promise.  Miller said he had been expecting Robin’s call.

Since his retirement from baseball, Robin has worked as a stockbroker and served as a University baseball coach.  He remains active serving on the Board of Directors of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and with the Baseball Assistance Fund which helps retired players and their families in financial and emotional need.

As amply illustrated by his critically acclaimed book, “The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant”, Robin is also one of the finest storytellers of his generation.