Baseball legend Frank Robinson, first black manager in MLB, dies at 83

Major League Baseball legend and civil rights trailblazer Frank Robinson died Thursday at the age of 83.

Robinson played for the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels and Cleveland Indians over the course of a 21-year playing career. He is the only player to win the Most Valuable Player award in both the National League and American League, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

He became the first African-American manager in MLB history when he took the job with the Cleveland Indians in 1975. Robinson went on to manage the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos.

{mosads}He became the first manager of the Washington Nationals when the team moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005. 

Off the field, Robinson was active in the civil rights movement, with a focus on the issue of segregated housing. Former President George W. Bush awarded Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. 

Several lawmakers weighed in on social media on Thursday to pay tribute to Robinson’s legacy on and off the baseball diamond. 

“He was a true cvil rights pioneer on & off the field. He’ll be greatly missed,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) tweeted.

RIP to a true great: Frank Robinson. A #Cincinnati @Reds hero. MLB’s first African-American manager w/ the #Cleveland @Indians. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Honor. He was a true civil rights pioneer on & off the field. He’ll be greatly missed. https://t.co/mle0E5GSCx

— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) February 7, 2019

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) lauded Robinson as a “true legend who changed the game.” 

My heart goes out to Frank Robinson’s family and friends. He broke barriers throughout his career, including with the @indians by becoming the first African-American MLB manager. A true legend who changed the game. https://t.co/grHSibcTx6

— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 7, 2019

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) remembered Robinson as “a trailblazer” who “was outspoken on issues of racism in baseball and segregated housing.”

Frank Robinson was a trailblazer. Not only was he an amazing player and the first African-American manager in the Major Leagues, he was outspoken on issues of racism in baseball and segregated housing. My prayers go out to his family. https://t.co/v7MlWjSWYW

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) February 7, 2019

Memorial Stadium couldn’t contain Frank Robinson as a player. He’s still the only person to the be MVP of both leagues. He also broke the color barrier as a manager – and as an MLB executive, too.

He shaped a sport and a culture, and he will be missed. #Orioles #MLB #LostLegend pic.twitter.com/LLtwnC3Ukr

— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) February 7, 2019

Frank Robinson was a trailblazer and baseball legend. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, adoring fans, and the millions around the world he inspired. https://t.co/AfuuV4vQa0

— Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) February 7, 2019