Humberto Robinson
Encyclopedia
Humberto Valentino Robinson (June 25, 1930 – September 29, 2009) was a middle relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves
(1955, 1958), Cleveland Indians
(1959) and Philadelphia Phillies
(1959–1960). Listed at 6' 1", 155 lb., Robinson batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Colón, Panama
.
Robinson made history by becoming the first Panamanian-born player to appear in a Major League game, when he debuted with the Braves on April 20, 1955. His efforts would enable future generations of fellow countrymen to follow him, including Juan Berenguer
, Rod Carew
, Roberto Kelly
, Carlos Lee
, Héctor López
, Ben Oglivie
, Adolfo Phillips
, Mariano Rivera
, Manny Sanguillén
and Rennie Stennett
, between others.
In an eight-season career, Robinson posted a 8-13 record with a 3.25 ERA
and four saves
in 102 appearances, including seven starts
and two complete game
s, giving up 77 earned runs on 189 hits and 90 walks
while striking out
114 in 213.0 innings of work.
In 10 minor league seasons, Robinson compiled a record of 122-84 with a 3.05 ERA for nine different teams (1951-'57, 1960-'62). He also was a main force in the pitching staff of Panamanian teams during the first stage of the Caribbean Series.
Robinson died in Brooklyn, New York at the age of 79, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease
.
Middle relief pitcher
In baseball, middle relief pitchers are relief pitchers who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th innings or in situations where several innings worth of work is required . In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter...
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...
who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1955, 1958), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1959) and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1959–1960). Listed at 6' 1", 155 lb., Robinson batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Colón, Panama
Colón, Panama
Colón is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city....
.
Robinson made history by becoming the first Panamanian-born player to appear in a Major League game, when he debuted with the Braves on April 20, 1955. His efforts would enable future generations of fellow countrymen to follow him, including Juan Berenguer
Juan Berenguer
Juan Bautista Berenguer was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and other teams. He had a career record of 67 wins and 62 losses. A mean-looking, husky Panamanian with long hair and a mustache, he was called "Pancho Villa" by his...
, Rod Carew
Rod Carew
Rodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
, Roberto Kelly
Roberto Kelly
Roberto Conrado Kelly is a former Outfielder in Major League Baseball and is currently the first base coach for the San Francisco Giants. He previously managed the Giants' single-A team, the Augusta GreenJackets. Kelly played for several major league clubs...
, Carlos Lee
Carlos Lee
Carlos Noriel Lee is a first basemen in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed....
, Héctor López
Héctor López
Héctor Headley López Swainson is a former left fielder and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees from to...
, Ben Oglivie
Ben Oglivie
Benjamin Ambrosio Oglivie Palmer is a former Major League Baseball left fielder for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and the Milwaukee Brewers . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes...
, Adolfo Phillips
Adolfo Phillips
Adolfo Emilio Phillips López , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1964-1972. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, and Cleveland Indians. On June 11, 1967, he hit three home runs in one game.-External links:...
, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
, Manny Sanguillén
Manny Sanguillen
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
and Rennie Stennett
Rennie Stennett
Renaldo Antonio Stennett Porte , is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. Stennett played with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants . He batted and threw right-handed...
, between others.
In an eight-season career, Robinson posted a 8-13 record with a 3.25 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and four saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in 102 appearances, including seven starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
and two complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, giving up 77 earned runs on 189 hits and 90 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
while striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
114 in 213.0 innings of work.
In 10 minor league seasons, Robinson compiled a record of 122-84 with a 3.05 ERA for nine different teams (1951-'57, 1960-'62). He also was a main force in the pitching staff of Panamanian teams during the first stage of the Caribbean Series.
Robinson died in Brooklyn, New York at the age of 79, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
.
Fact
- Before debuting in the majors, Robinson set a South Atlantic LeagueSouthern League (baseball)The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
record with 23 winsWin (baseball)In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in . He is also notable for reporting a US$1500 offer to throw a game in .