Frank Robinson Biography

Frank Robinson, nicknamed the Judge, played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, including stints with the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, and Cleveland Indians. In 1975, Robinson became the first Black manager in big-league history, serving as player-manager for the Cleveland Indians. Robinson recorded 14 All-Star selections, achieved a .300 batting average in nine seasons, hit 30 home runs in 11 seasons, led the league in slugging four times, and led in runs scored three times. Robinson finished his career with 2,943 hits, the most since 1934 by any player who did not reach 3,000 hits. For much of the last two decades of his life, Robinson held executive roles in Major League Baseball, ending his career as honorary president of the American League. Robinson led his team with 18 home runs at mid-season in 1956, earning a starting role in the National League All-Star Game. In 1957, Robinson and six teammates were voted into the National League starting lineup for the All-Star Game, highlighting a strong mid-season performance.