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William Edward Robinson
New York Yankees
First Base
Born: December 15, 1920, Paris, TX
Acquired: Purchased by the Cleveland Indians from the Baltimore Orioles (International League), before 1942 season
Major League Teams: Cleveland Indians 1942, 1946-48; Washington Senators 1950; Chicago White Sox 1950-52; Philadelphia Athletics 1953; New York Yankees 1954-56; Kansas City Athletics 1956; Detroit Tigers 1957; Cleveland Indians 1957; Baltimore Orioles 1957
Died: October 4, 2021, Bastrop, TX (age 100)
Eddie Robinson's longevity in the game, and in life, led to a lengthy baseball career as a player, scout, coach and front office executive into the 1980s. Robinson was a true journeyman during his playing days, spending time with seven of the eight American League teams in existence, only missing time with the Red Sox to complete the sweep. He was a four-time All-Star, and a key member of the 1948 Indians team that won the World Series in six games over the Boston Braves. Robinson was the starting first baseman for the American League All-Stars in 1949 and 1952. His 1952 season with the White Sox was perhaps his best, as he batted .296 with 22 home runs and 104 RBIs. He had attained career highs in home runs (29) and RBIs (117) the year before, in 1951. Robinson spent the final four seasons of his career as a back-up first baseman and pinch-hitter for the Yankees, Athletics, Tigers, Indians and Orioles.
Robinson coached with he Orioles between 1957 and 1959, then worked in the farm system or the front office for the Astros, Athletics and Braves. He served as the general manager for the Braves (1972-76) and Rangers (1977-82), and finished his time in baseball as a scout for the Red Sox. Robinson batted .268 in 1,315 games, with 1,146 hits, 172 home runs and 723 RBIs. He lived almost 101 years, and was the last living player to begin his career during the 1940s, and to have his career interrupted by military service during World War II.
December 2, 2000 from Raleigh, NC - Card #221
I went nuts and bought 16 cards for our 1956 Topps set on this day at the Sports Card & NASCAR Collectibles Show in Raleigh. My records show the 16 cards set me back $55 which I would have considered to be a small fortune back then. I hadn't yet moved back north yet, so I was still living in Raleigh at this time planning for my eventual escape. I would have provided my Dad with an updated checklist following this show as he was back in New Jersey.
The Card / Yankees Team Set
The same main photo is used for Robinson's 1954 Topps card, and Robinson was exclusive to Bowman for 1955. That's him applying the tag on a pick-off attempt at first base in the action shot. The first cartoon panel on the back highlights his home run output in 1955. Robinson had 36 hits in 173 at-bats, batting only .208, but 16 of those hits were home runs. The final cartoon panel highlights his fine fielding at first base, and Robinson led the league in fielding percentage in 1948, and in putouts at first in 1950, 1951 and 1952.
1956 Season
Robinson saw limited playing time with the Yankees at the start of the 1956 season, batting .222 in 26 games with 12 of those games coming as a pinch-hitter. On June 14th, he was dealt with Lou Skizas to the Kansas City Athletics for Moe Burtschy, Bill Renna (#82) and cash. Robinson played in 75 games for the Athletics, batting .198 for the 102-loss team. He made 41 starts at first base, and was unable to capture his prior power numbers. On December 5th, the Athletics traded Robinson to the Tigers as part of eight-player deal.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1950 Bowman #18
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6): 1951-54, 1956-57, 1960
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2011 Topps Lineage Autographs #RA-ER
57 - Robinson non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 8/2/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
I went nuts and bought 16 cards for our 1956 Topps set on this day at the Sports Card & NASCAR Collectibles Show in Raleigh. My records show the 16 cards set me back $55 which I would have considered to be a small fortune back then. I hadn't yet moved back north yet, so I was still living in Raleigh at this time planning for my eventual escape. I would have provided my Dad with an updated checklist following this show as he was back in New Jersey.
The Card / Yankees Team Set
The same main photo is used for Robinson's 1954 Topps card, and Robinson was exclusive to Bowman for 1955. That's him applying the tag on a pick-off attempt at first base in the action shot. The first cartoon panel on the back highlights his home run output in 1955. Robinson had 36 hits in 173 at-bats, batting only .208, but 16 of those hits were home runs. The final cartoon panel highlights his fine fielding at first base, and Robinson led the league in fielding percentage in 1948, and in putouts at first in 1950, 1951 and 1952.
1956 Season
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First Mainstream Card: 1950 Bowman #18
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6): 1951-54, 1956-57, 1960
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2011 Topps Lineage Autographs #RA-ER
57 - Robinson non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 8/2/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
The Trading Card Database
Previous Card / Next Card
Order Collected: #264 Ray Monzant - New York Giants / #325 Don Liddle - New York Giants
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