![MLB legend Frank Robinson passes away after lengthy battle with cancer. [Image Credit] National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum - YouTube](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/2/8/660x290/b_502x220x82/mlb-legend-frank-robinson-passes-away-after-lengthy-battle-with-cancer-image-credit-national-baseball-hall-of-fame-and-museum-youtube_2201563.jpg "MLB legend Frank Robinson passes away after lengthy battle with cancer. [Image Credit] National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum - YouTube")
Following a lengthy fight with cancer, Baseball legend and pioneer Frank Robinson died at the age of 83. Major League Baseball had previously said that the Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was not doing well, and was fighting bone cancer. Several media outlets later reported on Thursday that he had passed away.
ESPN reports Frank Robinson spent 21 seasons in Major League Baseball and recorded 586 home runs, putting him in 10th on the all-time list. Robinson ended up being the only player in league history to win the MVP award in both the National League and American League, earning the award with the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles.
As an Oriole in 1966, Robinson ended up winning the American League Triple Crown.
In 1966, Frank Robinson also won the American League Triple Crown, hitting .316 with 49 home runs and 122 RBI (along with 122 runs scored). He finished his career with a .294/.389/.537 slash-line (.926 OPS), 2,943 hits, 1,812 RBI and 1,829 runs.
— Lawrence Lease (@larrymlease) February 8, 2019
Frank Robinson was a shoo-in for the MLB Hall of Fame
In 1982, Frank entered the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility and receiving 89.2 percent of the vote. In 1975, Frank Robinson made history with the Cleveland Indians as becoming the league's first black manager, while also playing with the Reds. He ended up as the Indians manager for two seasons, and later became the manager of the San Francisco Giants, the Orioles in 1988-1991 and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals from 2002-2006.
Robinson spent 1972 to 1974 with the LA Dodgers, Anaheim Angels, and the Indians. Robinson was honored in 2017 by the Cleveland Indians with a statue outside of Progressive Field.
Robinson also found him in the MLB office, as Vice President of On-Field Operations, special assistant to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, Vice President for Major League Operations and also received the honorary position as American League President.
He often drew criticism for how he handed out discipline, while also being critical of Major League Baseball for not hiring more black managers or general managers.
Major League Baseball pays respect to Frank Robinson
The Boston Globe reports that the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, and the Cleveland Indians have all retired Robinson's No.
20. Robinson and Nolan Ryan are the only players to have their numbers retired by three teams. Frank Robinson was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Frank leaves behind his wife, Barbara, and two children.
The Hall of Famer's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis or the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Fans and players will always remember the contributions Frank Robinson made to America's pastime.
