Floyd Robinson
Encyclopedia
Floyd Andrew Robinson is a former outfielder
in Major League Baseball
for the Chicago White Sox
(1960–1966), Cincinnati Reds
(1967), Oakland Athletics
(early in 1968), and Boston Red Sox
(late 1968). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
, a man he respected a great deal, for his entire White Sox career.
Despite never making an All-Star team
, Robinson was clearly a candidate a number of times. In 1962
, he finished 10th in MVP voting
(Mickey Mantle
won) and had 187 hits
in 600 at bat
s, which came out to a .312 batting average
, good for 3rd in the league. Robinson led the league in doubles that year as well with 45.
Robinson's single most outstanding effort came on July 22, 1962, when he collected 6 hits in 6 at bats in a 9 inning game making him one of only 35 American leaguers to accomplish such a feat.
In 1964
, Robinson came closer to reaching the World Series
than he had or ever would again, when the White Sox went 98-64, finishing one game behind the 99-63 New York Yankees
. It was the second of three straight years that the White Sox and Robinson would finish 2nd in the American League
. In '63 and '64, the Yankees came in 1st. In '65, it was the Minnesota Twins
that prevented a World Series trip for Robinson. Al Lopez and the White Sox had reached the World Series in 1959
, one year before Robinson reached the majors. Despite never reaching the postseason, Robinson never played on a team with a losing record.
Robinson's career high in home runs came in 1965
when he hit 14 with 66 RBIs. However, his stolen base numbers were down from the year before, going from 9 to 4. That was his last major offensive
year, and the 2nd-to-last year that he would be an every day player and with the White Sox.
Robinson played his last game on September 29, 1968 with the Red Sox.
s and 426 RBI
s. In total, he accumulated 140 double
s, 36 triple
s, and 42 stolen base
s. He finished with 458 runs scored
, averaging 73 a year.
, which came out to a .981 fielding percentage
. He started 6 double play
s in his career, 4 in 1963.
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1960–1966), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1967), Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(early in 1968), and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(late 1968). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
Career overview
Robinson was managed by Hall of Famer Al LopezAl Lopez
Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....
, a man he respected a great deal, for his entire White Sox career.
Despite never making an All-Star team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, Robinson was clearly a candidate a number of times. In 1962
1962 in sports
1962 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* AFL Championship – Dallas Texans won 20-17 over the Houston Oilers in double overtime* NFL Championship – Green Bay Packers won 16-7 over the New York Giants...
, he finished 10th in MVP voting
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
(Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
won) and had 187 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 600 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, which came out to a .312 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, good for 3rd in the league. Robinson led the league in doubles that year as well with 45.
Robinson's single most outstanding effort came on July 22, 1962, when he collected 6 hits in 6 at bats in a 9 inning game making him one of only 35 American leaguers to accomplish such a feat.
In 1964
1964 in sports
1964 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Men's Olympic Gold Medal:** Downhill: Egon Zimmermann, Austria** Slalom: Josef Stiegler, Austria** Giant Slalom: François Bonlieu, France* Women's Olympic Gold Medal:...
, Robinson came closer to reaching the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
than he had or ever would again, when the White Sox went 98-64, finishing one game behind the 99-63 New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. It was the second of three straight years that the White Sox and Robinson would finish 2nd in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. In '63 and '64, the Yankees came in 1st. In '65, it was the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
that prevented a World Series trip for Robinson. Al Lopez and the White Sox had reached the World Series in 1959
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
, one year before Robinson reached the majors. Despite never reaching the postseason, Robinson never played on a team with a losing record.
Robinson's career high in home runs came in 1965
1965 in sports
1965 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* AFL Championship Buffalo Bills won 23-0 over the San Diego Chargers* NFL Championship – Green Bay Packers won 23-12 over the Cleveland Browns on January 2, 1966-England:...
when he hit 14 with 66 RBIs. However, his stolen base numbers were down from the year before, going from 9 to 4. That was his last major offensive
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
year, and the 2nd-to-last year that he would be an every day player and with the White Sox.
Robinson played his last game on September 29, 1968 with the Red Sox.
Career statistics
In 9 major league seasons, Robinson hit .283 with 67 home runHome run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 426 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
s. In total, he accumulated 140 double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, 36 triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, and 42 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. He finished with 458 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, averaging 73 a year.
Fielding
In 886 games, Robinson only had 30 errorsError (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
, which came out to a .981 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. He started 6 double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s in his career, 4 in 1963.
Highlights
- Led the league in doubles in 1962 (45)
- 4th in the league in RBIs in 1962 (109)
- Top 10 in the league in triples, 4 times in his career (1961, 1962, 1963, 1965)
Facts
- Robinson led Pacific Coast LeaguePacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
outfielders with a .997 fielding percentage while playing for the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres (PCL)The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
in 1957. - Wore uniform number 3 with the White Sox
- Robinson is a cousin of former major league outfielder Tommie ReynoldsTommie ReynoldsTommie D. Reynolds is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1963, and played for them from 1963 to 1965...
. - He was the first strikeout victim of Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
right-hander Gene BrabenderGene BrabenderEugene Mathew Brabender , nicknamed "Lurch", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent before the 1961 season. He pitched for the Baltimore Orioles , Seattle Pilots , and the Milwaukee Brewers...
. {Memorial StadiumMemorial Stadium (Baltimore)Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
-- May 11, 1966} - In 2009, Robinson was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of ChampionsSan Diego Hall of ChampionsThe San Diego Hall of Champions is an American multi-sport museum in San Diego, California. Located in the Federal Building in Balboa Park, the facility recognizes outstanding athletic accomplishments and traditions involving more than forty-two sports...
into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/baseball/floyd-robinson/