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.
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Robin Roberts was the NL's starting pitcher for the 1950 All Star Game
Robin Roberts was the NL'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 six consecutive years with 20+ wins.
In the first of his 7 consecutive All Star berths, Roberts threw three innings and allowed one run on three hits. In this letter dated three days after the 1950 contest, Commissioner Happy Chandler congratulates young Roberts on his first All Star selection.
In 1952 Roberts won a career-high 28 games with a career low 2.59 ERA
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 in starts (37), complete games (30), innings (330). Roberts’ 8.6 WAR led all men – pitchers and position players – on the Senior Circuit.
Many saw him as the league MVP. Instead writers gave the honor to NL homerun and RBI champ Hank Sauer whose 5.6 WAR was 10th-best in the league.
Some report that the slight gave Commissioner Ford Frick the idea of an award for the best pitcher each season. Three years later baseball’s winningest pitcher Cy Young passed away. The following season Frick presented the inaugural Cy Young Award to Dodger right-hander Don Newcombe.
By that time, Roberts’ best years were behind him. Though he led NL pitchers in WAR five times during the 1950s, Roberts never received the Cy Young Award.
In the collection is this letter from longtime owner and manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, Connie Mack. On team letterhead the Grand Old Man of Baseball writes to the chairman of the Robin Roberts Day Committee.
Dated two weeks after the conclusion of the ’52 World Series, the letter praises Roberts.
“You are paying tribute to a young man who is not only one of the greatest pitchers of his day, but who is a credit to the game of baseball in every way,” Mack writes.
“Robin Roberts is the ideal American athlete – – – a real leader who possesses the perfect blend of the will to win and the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship.”
Typed on Athletics team stationary, the letter is signed neatly at the bottom by the Hall of Fame manager.
Roberts was The Sporting News' National League Pitcher of the year in 1955
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 Bowman variety. That season was more kind to the hurler as he went 23-14 and was named the NL Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News.
Though Wins Above Replacement (WAR) was not a known statistic when he played, Roberts led National League pitchers in the category each season from 1951-1954.
From 1950-1959 Robin Roberts and Billy Pierce combined for 254 victories
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 during the decade of the 1950s was more than any other left-hander in the American League during that time.
Roberts had even more wins with 199. Together the pair combined for 354 victories during the 50s.
Roberts held the Phillies franchise record for wins from 1958-1984
Roberts held the Phillies franchise record for wins from 1958-1984
In 1958 Robin Roberts notched his 191st career victory for the Phillies. With the win he passed Hall of Famer Pete Alexander to hold the top spot in franchise history.
Roberts held the Philllies career wins mark until left-hander Steve Carlton passed him in 1984.
As the 1960s progressed, Robin Roberts career wound down. After a one-win season coupled with ten losses in ’61, the Phillies sold him to the Yankees.
Roberts never appeared in a contest for New York who released him on May 21. Later that day the Orioles signed him. In four seasons with Baltimore he went 42-36 before they jettisoned him at the end of July in ’65.
Houston signed him in August. Roberts stayed in Houston until they released him on July 4, 1966. Nine days later he inked this final big league contract with Chicago. That contract is shown above. Roberts final 11 big league appearances came in a Cub uniform.
Robin Roberts finished his 19-year career in 1966 with 286 victories
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 games overall that season.
His career accomplishments include 6 straight 20-win seasons and 286 victories overall. Roberts led the league in wins four straight years, and in complete games in five consecutive seasons.
An All Star every year from 1950-1956, Roberts also received votes in MVP balloting in each of those seasons.
In 1976 the Baseball Writers selected Robin Roberts for the Hall
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 standout Oscar Charleston, third baseman Fred Lindstrom, and umpire Cal Hubbard.
Shown here is a letter from then-American League president and future Cooperstown man Lee MacPhail. Dated June 16, 1976, it invites Hall of Fame hurler Waite Hoyt to the induction.
The six-man class of ’76 was inducted in a ceremony on August 9, 1976.
Robin Roberts was the inaugural member of the Phillies Hall
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 ranks 2nd in wins, and strikeouts and third in shutouts.
The baseball card above is signed by Richie Ashburn, the second Phillies player voted into the team Hall. Roberts’ teammate from 1948-1959, the centerfielder is shown squaring to bunt in the 1957 Topps offering.
As the leadoff man for the ’57 Phillies, Ashburn led the National League in games, at bats, and walks.
Met Roberts in Oneonta Ny in 1964. I was a studemt at Oneonta
college and Roberts owned a sporting goods shop.