Brooks Robinson statue dedication set for Saturday, Oct. 22 at noon

Saturday's the day - a statue honoring legendary Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson will be dedicated at noon at a plaza between Washington Boulevard and Russell Street, northwest of Camden Yards. For the geographically impaired - or those who have never participated in the time-honored Baltimore baseball tradition of hoisting a brew at PIckles Pub or Sliders (or both) - here's a map of the statue's location. Though the ceremony doesn't begin until noon, the festivities kick off at 11 a.m. with an appearance by the Oriole Bird, a dixieland jazz band and visits by the mascots of the independent teams of which Robinson is part of the ownership group. Luminaries expected to be in attendance include Gov. Martin O'Malley, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Jeff Idelson, president of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The 1,500-lb. bronze likeness of Brooks, fabricated in Italy by Baltimore sculptor Joseph Sheppard, depicts the third baseman with ball in hand, ready to throw out a runner at first. The pose was gleaned by Sheppard's examination of historical photos and videos of Robinson, as well as interviews between the artist and his subject. The ceremony is free and open to the public, with parking available at nearby lots. The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures topping out in the mid-60s and no chance of precipitation. The statue was constructed under the auspices of The Dorothy L. and Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr. Foundation and The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation. "Brooks Robinson defined the third base position in baseball and we are pleased to be involved in helping preserve his standing among the greats in our state's sports heritage," said Michael Gibbons, executive director of The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation. "It's fitting that this statue honoring 'Mr. Oriole' will be positioned in an area that enables Brooks to welcome fans as they arrive in Baltimore and to the ballpark."