Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts

Birthdate	9/30/1926
Death Date	5/6/2010
Debut Year	1948
Year of Induction	1976
Teams	Astros, Cubs, Orioles, Phillies
Position	Pitcher

Robin Roberts uniform #36 was retired by the Phillies on March 21, 1962. It was the first uniform number retired by the franchise.

Robin Roberts was the National League's starting pitcher for the 1950 All Star Game

When it came time to select the starting pitcher for the 1950 National League All Star team, the choice was clear: Robin Roberts. The Phillies right-hander was 10-3 with one save at the break. At just 23 years old he was coming into his own. He finished the season with a 20-11 mark, the first of si

In 1952 Roberts won a career-high 28 games with a career low 2.59 ERA

Robin Roberts was simply magnificent in 1952. Winner of 20 or more games in six consecutive seasons from 1950-1955, Roberts won a career-high 28 contests in ’52. He complimented the win total with a career-low 2.59 earned run average. During the ’52 campaign the workhorse topped the NL i

Roberts was The Sporting News' National League Pitcher of the year in 1955

Shown here is a pair of Robin Roberts cards, both autographed by the 286-game winner. On the left is Roberts’ 1960 Topps card. The pitcher struggled for the Phillies that season going 12-16 with a 4.02 ERA while leading the NL in homers given up. The card on the right is Roberts’ 1955 Bo

From 1950-1959 Robin Roberts and Billy Pierce combined for 254 victories

Billy Pierce won 20 games in both 1956 and 1957 and was an All Star each season. In 1959 Pierce teamed with Philadelphia’s Robin Roberts on the Topps’ baseball card Ace Hurlers. The card shown here is autographed by both Pierce and the Hall of Famer pitcher Roberts. Pierce’s 155 victories duri

Robin Roberts broke Grover Cleveland Alexander's franchise record for wins on May 13, 1958

On May 13th, 1958 Robin Roberts won his 191st game for the Philadelphia Phillies. The complete-game six-hitter pushed him to the top spot on the franchise wins list, past Cooperstown’s Grover Cleveland Alexander. Though the great Alexander slipped to #2 in Phillies lore, he is still considered

After 14 seasons with the Phillies Roberts finished his career with Baltimore, Houston, and the Cubs

Robin Roberts’ 14 seasons with the Phillies came to an end when the Yankees purchased his contract in October of 1961. The following spring New York released the future Hall of Famer who was signed by the Orioles a month later. As the 1960s progressed, Roberts’ career wound down. In fou

Robin Roberts finished his 19-year career in 1966 with 286 victories

Shown here is the signature page of Robin Roberts’ final big league contract. It holds the signature of Warren Giles in his position as President of the National League. Roberts has also penned his name on the deal dated July 13, 1966. Roberts went 2-3 in 11 games with Chicago and 5-8 in 24 ga

In 1976 the Baseball Writers selected Robin Roberts for the Hall

Robin Roberts received baseball’s ultimate honor in 1976 when the Baseball Writers selected him for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The scribes also gave their nod to five-time 20-game winner Bob Lemon. The Veterans Committee selected 19th-century slugger Roger Connor, Negro League sta

Robin Roberts was the inaugural member of the Phillies Hall

The Philadelphia Phillies selected the first member of their team Hall of Fame in 1978. They went with an excellent choice – Robin Roberts. With 14 seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, Roberts remains the franchise leader in pitcher’s WAR, appearances, innings, and complete games. He r

In 1984 Steve Carlton passed Roberts as the Phillies all-time wins leader

Robin Roberts passed Grover Cleveland Alexander as the winningest pitcher in Phillies history on May 13, 1958. After his 191st victory, Roberts extended the franchise mark with each of his next 43 victories. His 234 wins in a Philadelphia uniform remained the standard for more than a quarter century

A Story about Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts authored 28 consecutive complete games in ’52 and ’53

November 10th, 2025 Leave a comment

Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts poses next to his statue

Robin Roberts was a true workhorse. The majors’ leader in complete games during the 1950s, he led the Senior Circuit in the category every year from 1952 through 1956. He also put together a streak that will never again be seen. From August 28, 1952 until July 3, 1953 he completed 28 consecutive starts. In the third game of his streak, Roberts threw all 17 innings of a 7-6 September 6 win over the Boston Braves. Five days later he went the distance against Cardinals. In the final 30 days of the ’52 season, Roberts logged 80 innings across eight starts, completing and winning them all. He finished the year with a career-high 28 wins to go along with a stingy 2.59 ERA – the lowest of his career. In ’53 Roberts was even better. He continued the streak of consecutive complete games by finishing his first 20 starts. Then on July 9th a quintet of Brooklyn Dodger Hall of Famers got to him. Roberts began the game three scoreless innings, before surrendering a two-run homer to catcher Roy Campanella in the fourth. Shortstop Pee Wee Reese tacked on another Dodger run with an RBI single in the 5th. Roberts […]

2 responses to “Robin Roberts”

Richard Olson says:

July 26, 2021 at 2:28 pm

Met Roberts in Oneonta Ny in 1964. I was a studemt at Oneonta
college and Roberts owned a sporting goods shop.

Robert Jackson says:

November 15, 2025 at 4:41 am

Robin Roberts never pitched for great teams but always found ways to win.

In the collection:

Robin Roberts was the National League's starting pitcher for the 1950 All Star Game

In 1952 Roberts won a career-high 28 games with a career low 2.59 ERA

Roberts was The Sporting News' National League Pitcher of the year in 1955

From 1950-1959 Robin Roberts and Billy Pierce combined for 254 victories

Robin Roberts broke Grover Cleveland Alexander's franchise record for wins on May 13, 1958

After 14 seasons with the Phillies Roberts finished his career with Baltimore, Houston, and the Cubs

Robin Roberts finished his 19-year career in 1966 with 286 victories

In 1976 the Baseball Writers selected Robin Roberts for the Hall

Robin Roberts was the inaugural member of the Phillies Hall

In 1984 Steve Carlton passed Roberts as the Phillies all-time wins leader

A Story about Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts authored 28 consecutive complete games in ’52 and ’53

November 10th, 2025 Leave a comment

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