CINCINNATI — Frank Robinson, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball’s first black manager, died on Thursday at the age of 83 in Los Angeles.
Robinson, who played in Cincinnati from 1956 to 1965, was the first player to win an MVP Award in both the National and American leagues.
He also became manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1975, becoming the first black manager in MLB history.
Here are some memorable dates in Robinson's life and career:
Aug. 31, 1935: Robinson was born in Beaumont, Texas. He attended high school in Oakland, California. He played high school baseball with future major leaguers Curt Flood and Vada Pinson and basketball with Bill Russell at McClymonds High School.
April 17, 1956: Robinson made his major-league debut as a 20-year-old in a game at Crosley Field against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right fielder went 2-for-3 in the Redlegs’ 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.
Nov. 19, 1956: Robinson took one semester of classes at Xavier University. He took general psychology, principles of speech, administration of physical education, health and hygiene and theory of coaching at Xavier. His first class was on the second floor of what is now known as the Schmidt Fieldhouse.
Dec. 1, 1956: Robinson was named the National League rookie of the year after scoring 122 runs, batting .290 and hitting 38 home runs and 83 RBI.
1961: He was named the National League’s MVP for the pennant-winning Reds. Cincinnati lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series.
Dec. 9, 1965: In what would become the most infamous trade in Reds history, Robinson was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles for Jack Baldschun, Milt Pappas and Dick Simpson. The Orioles swept the Dodgers in the World Series. Robinson won the American League MVP Award and the Triple Crown.
April 8, 1975: Frank Robinson hit a home run for the Cleveland Indians in his debut as the player/manager at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Indians defeated the New York Yankees 5-3. Lou Piniella was the starting left fielder for the Yankees that day.
Sept. 18, 1976: Frank Robinson played in his final major league game. He had a hit as a pinch-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
1978: Robinson was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
1982: He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (370 of 415 ballots).
1998: The Reds retired Robinson's No. 20 jersey.
2003: The Reds presented Robinson’s statue on Crosley Terrace outside Great American Ball Park.
2006: Robinson managed the Washington Nationals at age 70 in his final season in MLB. He also managed the Indians (1975-77), Giants (1981-84), Orioles (1988-1991) and Expos (2002-2004).
2015: Robinson returned to Cincinnati for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
