The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-09
P|DOTED BROOKLYN
WHEN DODGERS WON
NATIONAL PENNANT
hemorrhage of the Brain Brings
Death to 7O.Year.0Id
uncle Robby'
WAS FAMOUS AS CATCHER
Developed Such Stars as Dazzy
Vance and Rube Marquard
in Managerial Days

Atlanta, Aug. 9-(P,-That famou!
old Oriole. Wilbert Robinson. is dead
Death came just as Uncle Robby
one Of baseball's greatest figures
wished it-quickly and with little
pain. He succumbed to hemorrhage
of the brain Wednesday night at 1890
o'clock and his last words we're about
the Atlanta baseball club of which he
was president.
Robinson was 70 years Old
His span of life saw him as catcher
and captain of the Baltimore Orioles;
saw him win pennants at Brooklyn in
the National League and finally saw
him worry literally sick about his
club here.
For the last three days Robinson
had felt badly. His Crackers were in
a slump after playing good ball near
ly all season. He fell suddenly while
emerging from his bath just before
elmer Wednesday evening and broke
his arm. He was taken to hospital.
At the hospital 1t was discovered he
was suffering from q hemorrhage of
the brain. The last sacrament was
administered by the Rev. Edward Nc
Grath.
As Robinson awaited the ambulance
he said to the doctor:
This broken arm doesn't hurt me.
I'm an old Oriole. Wrap 1t up and
let me stay here"
VHY~. En~>n,e- r~lnha~
Robinson was one of the few out
standing links between the older ranks
OF baseball and the modern game.
Famous first as one Of the greatest
catchers In the game, when he was
with the champion Baltimore Orioles
In the nineties, he gained later dis
tinction as pilot Of the Brooklyn Ma
tionals. which he took hold of In 1914
and led to pennant victories in 1916
and 1920.
Known and idolized as Uncle Bob
by" everywhere, but particularly
among the fans Of Flatbush. native
stronghold Of the Brooklyn Trolley
Dodgers" Robinson gained recogni-
ton as one Of the shrewdest strate-
eists and most expert handlers Of
pitching talent in the major leagues.
His success as a manager largely was
due to his uncanny ability in de-
veloping young twirling prospects and
rejuvenating veteran timber.
To the modern fan, Dazzy Vance,
sensational strikeout king of 1924 and
voted the National Leagues most val
liable player that season, stands out
AS the most notable of Robinson's
products, but old-timers recall that
Robinson also was responsible for de-
,eloping RUDE Marquard, while for
mer Governor John <. Tener, of
Pennsylvania, gave "Robby' credit for
teaching him most of the pitching art
he acquired.
Vance, castoff. came close to
pitching Brooklyn'S 1924 club to a
pennant by winning % games. The
team finished second after a terrific
fight with Pittsburgh ard New York,
the latter finally Winning In the last
few days Of stirring campaign.
Robinson laid the groundwork for
his ability as developer of pitching
talent in the days he was rated among
the best backstops in the game. Much
Or his managerial sagacity also was
derived from the time when he was
with the Baltimore Orioles, National
League champions of 1894, 1895 and
1896. and associated with such stars
as John McGraw, Willie Keller, Mike
Kelly and Huglly Jennings. Robin
son was one OF the hardest hitters in
this galaxy OF stars and mainstay
behind the bat.
Started Career In 1886
Robinson started his major league
career In 1886, at the age Of 10, and
WAS one Of the first backstops to catch
behind the plate all the time. He
broke into fast company with the old
Philadelphia Athletics, then members
of the old American Association, and
five years later went to Baltimore,
where he was one Of the leading
spirits In lifting the Orioles from tall
enders to champions.
After nine seasons with Baltimore
Robinson was sold to st. Louis in
1900, along with McGraw and Billy
Keister, but after a season in the
middle west came back to Baltimore
to organize stock company and place
> team in the American League. He
remained there three seasons, taking
Cr managerial reinS for the first time
In 1903. He retired from the majors
the following year and did not re.
enter them again until 1911, when hi
Joined the New York Giants as .
coach under his old associate, Nc.
Graw. He remained for three year.
4: that capacity, in all Of which tn.
Giants were pennant victors, befor.
taking the helm at Brooklyn.
Altogether Robinson had been OF
eight pennant-winning clubs. thre.
with Baltiuore. three with New Yorl
and two with Brooklyn. His recorc
as . player. over q span Of II year,
from 1885 to 1902, inclusive, shows h,
compiled batting average Of $3.50
scored $40 runs and raped out 1850
hits.
It Is interesting to recall that Rob
inson. whose rotund figure was fam
liar to modern fans, ranked amonl
the fastest men IN the game in hi
early playing days. He celebrated hi,
9trst big league season b. stealing 4
bases.
Robinson was horn June 2, 1854 q
Hudson, Mass. He began his profes
Gtonal career Ii 1885 with the Haver
hill Mass, club and went to the Ath'
1ctics the following year.