Jim Palmer on Brooks Robinson: "Great player, great guy on the field, great guy off" (updated)

Amid the excitement of the Orioles making the playoffs for the first time in seven years came the sad news that Baltimore had lost one of its legends.

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson passed away today at the age of 86. And nothing else seemed important.

A statement from the team and Robinson’s family read:

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson. An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball.”

Nicknamed “The Human Vacuum Cleaner,” Robinson won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards in a 23-year major league career spent entirely with the Orioles. He also made 18 All-Star teams – chosen Most Valuable Player in 1966 – was named MVP in the American League in 1964 and was selected MVP of the 1970 World Series, when everyone learned of his defensive prowess.

Images of Robinson denying Cincinnati hitters with diving stops to his left, ranging far to his right to backhand balls and make throws in foul territory, or charging slow rollers, are embedded in baseball history.

"I'm beginning to see Brooks in my sleep,” said Reds manager Sparky Anderson. “If I dropped this paper plate, he'd pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.”

Robinson also won a World Series in 1966. His final games were played in 1977, followed by his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Born in Little Rock, Ark., on May 18, 1937, Robinson signed with the Orioles in 1955 during their second year in Baltimore. He became one of the most popular athletes in Baltimore history, along with Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas.

Robinson hit 268 home runs and drove in 1,357 runs in 2,896 games. But it was about defense, and the man inside the uniform.

None were better.

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer visited with Robinson recently at his home during the 1983 World Series reunion. He spoke today with tears in his eyes.

What did Robinson mean to the Orioles, to the city, to the sport?

“Everything,” Palmer said.

“Great player, great guy on the field, great guy off. Respectful, kind. And you don’t meet too many guys like that. Brooks was a genuine person. There was no acting. Brooks was just a genuine person. Kind and nice and great player.

“I got here in ’65, he had been MVP the year before. You would never know it. He was just an ordinary guy, not to mention, helped me get to the Hall of Fame. (Wife) Connie was great to young wives. She couldn’t have been more gracious.

“I got to see him right before I got COVID. I went up there for about an hour and a half. Brooks would call. He kept up with the Orioles this year. He knew the players. We talked about, ‘Have you ever seen anyone like Gunnar (Henderson), that athletic?’ And he goes, ‘I don’t know that I have.’ He’ll be gone, but he’ll never be gone, because if you ever saw him play or ever got to know him or had him as a teammate or a friend … our friendship goes longer and farther than just the baseball aspect of it. He didn’t answer his cell phone, but you’d leave a message and 10 days later he’d go, ‘Yeah, Jimmy, I meant to call you back.’

“Just salt of the earth and one of the great guys. And everywhere I’d go, they would say, ‘Yeah, we had Brooks here a couple years ago.’ And he’s a tough act to follow because he was so good and so nice and so warm. You never forget his smile.”

The Orioles observed a moment of silence for Robinson, who worked for the team as a special advisor and community ambassador, before tonight’s game. He made some appearances in spring training and was honored last year in a recreation of the "Thanks Brooks Day" celebration from '77, allowing players to meet him.

Robinson established the Major League Players Alumni Association, and in 2011 had a statue erected on a plaza across from the ballpark. A year later, he was among six franchise legends honored with statues beyond the bullpen area.

“All of us at Major League Baseball are saddened by the loss of Brooks Robinson, one of the greats of our National Pastime and a legend of the Baltimore Orioles,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

“Brooks stood among the greatest defensive players who have ever lived. He was a two-time World Series Champion, the 1964 American League MVP, and the winner of 16 consecutive Gold Gloves at third base. He was a model of excellence, durability, loyalty and winning baseball for the Orioles. After his playing career, he continued to make contributions to the game by working with the MLB Players Alumni Association.

“I will always remember Brooks as a true gentleman who represented our game extraordinarily well on and off the field all his life.  On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Brooks’ family, his many friends across our game, and Orioles fans everywhere.”

Update: Cal Ripken Jr. also issued a statement:

"Today was an incredibly sad day for Baltimore and baseball fans everywhere. Brooks was Mr. Oriole. He was beloved and rightfully so. His historic career on the field pales to the impact he's made on so many of us. The memories we share of Brooks will live on. My thoughts are with Connie and the Robinson family. We lost a great  man but were so fortunate to have had him in our lives."