ROBINSON, FRANK

born Aug. 31, 1935, Beaumont, Texas, U.S. Frank Robinson, 1966. American professional baseball player and manager who was the first black manager in major league baseball. As a youth, Robinson played sandlot and American Legion Junior League baseball in Oakland, Calif., and at McClymonds High School, where he also played football and basketball. He played at third base and pitched occasionally. After graduation he was signed by the National League Cincinnati Reds and played with their minor league teams (third base and outfield) until he joined the parent club in 1956. He batted and threw right-handed. He was named rookie of the year and batted more than .300 in 5 of 10 years before he was traded to the American League Baltimore Orioles in 1966. In 1966 he won the triple crown by leading the league in home runs (49), runs batted in (122), and batting average (.316). He remained with Baltimore through 1971, then played with the National League Los Angeles Dodgers (1972), the American League California Angels (197374), and the Cleveland Indians (197476), also managing the Indians (197577). He had begun managing in winter baseball for the Santurce team in Puerto Rico from 1968 and also coached at Baltimore and for the International League. In 1981 he became manager of the National League San Francisco Giants. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.