Dodgers Blue Heaven: Former Dodger Frank Robinson Dead at 83

A legend has passed away.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the 1956 Rookie of the Year, two-time MVP winner, 1966 AL Triple Crown winner and one-time AL Manager of the Year has died at the age of 83. Deeply cognizant of his role in history, Robinson took-on the task of being the very first African-American to be named manager in the Major Leagues; saying, "if I had one wish in the world today, it would be that Jackie Robinson could be here to see this happen." Frank also said:

“Every time I put on this uniform, I think of Jackie Robinson.”

As you know, Frank Robinson got to play for the Dodgers during the 1972 season; slashing .251/.353/.442/.795 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI's during an injury plagued season. He would thereafter be traded to the Angels the following season for future Dodger staff ace Andy Messersmith. Below are links to other stories celebrating Frank Robinson's life that I thought worth pointing out:

Per Mark Langill at Dodger Insider; "Frank Robinson remembered: Hall of Famer passes away at 83 years old."
Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors; "Frank Robinson Passes Away."
Richard Justice at MLB.com; "Frank Robinson, legend and pioneer, dies."
Tyler Waldman at WBAL; "Frank Robinson, Baseball Lifer And Orioles Legend, Has Died."
Tim Kurkjian at ESPN; "No one tried to embarrass Frank Robinson and got away with it."

"Then he throws me this bastard slider just off the outside part of the plate," Robinson said. "I thought, 'This SOB is trying to strike me out on three pitches ... on my day! He's trying to embarrass me ... on my day. No one does that to me.'"

Also, you can listen to Frank talk about meeting Jackie Robinson for the first time here, via NPR.

In celebration of Robinson's career on cardboard I thought it would be fun to make a couple of fantasy custom Baseball cards of him. Check them out above. Furthermore, I wanted to put together a list of all, or at least, most of his vintage cards and collectibles featuring him as a Dodger. See that below. If I missed anything please let me know.

1972 Topps -- #754