'Mr. Oriole' Brooks Robinson, a Baltimore baseball legend, dies at age 86

Adam Thompson
Updated ·2 min read
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'Mr. Oriole' Brooks Robinson, a Baltimore baseball legend, dies at age 86

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Orioles legend Brooks Robinson has died, the team announced Tuesday. He was 86 years old at the time of his death.

Robinson has been called "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" or "Mr. Hoover" because of his defensive prowess, but most know him as "Mr. Oriole."

[Orioles' family, baseball community reacts to death of Baltimore legend Brooks Robinson]

"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," the Orioles said.

Robinson was arguably the greatest defensive third baseman in Major League Baseball history, winning 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

"Brooks is the only guy I know who has a farm system for gloves," former Orioles manager Earl Weaver once said. "He's got gloves that are a year away. He retires the old ones when they can't go to the left for balls hit in the hole anymore."

"It was like he held class out there," former All-Star third baseman Buddy Bell once said.

"He plays third like he was sent down from another league," former Major League umpire Ed Hurley once said.

He played his entire career with the Orioles from 1955 until 1977.

Robinson was an 18-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion (1966 and 1970), a World Series MVP and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.

Robinson had 1,357 RBIs, 2,848 base hits and a career batting average of .267.

Last September, in the 2022 season, Robinson was honored at the Orioles game and threw the ceremonial first pitch to Gunnar Henderson.

People who want to remember Robinson can visit the Brooks statue inside Oriole Park at Camden Yards at Legends Park.

Access to the park will begin on Wednesday and continue until Sunday. The park will be open from 7 a.m. until four hours before the first pitch, according to Orioles staff.

Mourners should enter the park via Camden Street, Orioles staff said.

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