Bill Robinson (outfielder) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Robinson |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: June 26, 1943 McKeesport, Pennsylvania |
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| Died: July 29, 2007 (aged 64) Las Vegas, Nevada |
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| debut | |||
| September 20, 1966, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 23, 1983, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .258 | ||
| Home runs | 166 | ||
| Runs batted in | 641 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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William Henry Robinson, Jr. (born June 26, 1943 – died July 29, 2007) was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1966 to 1983. He also played a bit at first and third base. Robinson was a right-handed batter and thrower.
After his playing days, Robinson became a very successful coach. Many players, like Darryl Strawberry, said he was a great mentor. He helped many young players, especially with the New York Mets.
Bill Robinson won three World Series rings. He won one as a player with the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates. He won two more as a coach for the 1986 Mets and the 2003 Florida Marlins.
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Early Years in Baseball
Bill Robinson was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was great at both basketball and baseball in high school. He even got a scholarship offer for basketball.
But Robinson chose baseball instead. He signed with the Milwaukee Braves right after graduating in June 1961.
Playing Career Highlights
Atlanta Braves Debut
Robinson spent six years playing in the Braves' minor league teams. He played really well, hitting .298 with 69 home runs. He also had 339 runs batted in (RBI).
He made his MLB debut for the Atlanta Braves on September 20, 1966. He pinch-ran for baseball legend Hank Aaron. He got his first hit a few days later, on September 25.
New York Yankees Time
Robinson joined the New York Yankees in 1967. He quickly impressed everyone during Spring training. He even hit a home run in his first game of the regular season.
However, things got tougher for him. He lost his starting job and became a fourth outfielder. By the end of the season, his batting average was .196. He hit seven home runs and had 29 RBIs.
Robinson stayed with the Yankees until 1969. Then, he spent a year in the minor leagues before being traded.
Philadelphia Phillies First Stint
In 1972, Robinson joined the Philadelphia Phillies. He played well in the minor leagues, hitting .304 with twenty home runs. This earned him a call-up to the Phillies in June.
His best year came in 1973. He played in right field, center field, and even third base. He batted .288, hit 25 home runs, and had 65 RBIs. His performance dipped in 1974, and he was traded to the Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Success
In 1975, Robinson joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. He batted .280 and reached the playoffs for the first time. The Pirates were swept by the "Big Red Machine" in the 1975 National League Championship Series.
In 1976, the Pirates tried him at third base. On June 5, he hit two home runs in one game. Then, in extra innings, he hit a third home run! He played well at different positions. He batted over .300 with 21 home runs. He won the Roberto Clemente Memorial Award from Pittsburgh sportswriters.
In 1977, Robinson played mostly first base due to teammate injuries. He had a great first half, batting .305 with ten home runs and 46 RBIs. For the whole season, he set career highs with 26 home runs, 104 RBIs, and a .304 batting average.
In 1979, the Pirates, known as the "We Are Family" team, battled for their division. Robinson was a key player. In a big series against the Montreal Expos, he hit a home run, a triple, and had three RBIs in one game. The Pirates won the division and then swept the Cincinnati Reds in the playoffs.
The Pirates then faced the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Robinson helped his team win the World Series in an amazing comeback. He had five hits and two RBIs in the series.
Back with the Phillies
In 1982, Robinson was traded back to the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in right field and batted .261 with three home runs. His playing time decreased in 1983, and he was released from the team in June.
| Games | PA | AB | Runs | Hits | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | HBP | Avg. | Slg. | Fld% |
| 1472 | 4730 | 4364 | 536 | 1127 | 229 | 29 | 166 | 641 | 71 | 263 | 820 | 16 | .258 | .438 | .980 |
Life After Playing
After retiring as a player, Bill Robinson became a hitting instructor for the New York Mets. He liked to be called "hitting instructor" instead of "batting coach." His players, like Wally Backman and Kevin Mitchell, lovingly called him "Uncle Bill."
Robinson also managed a baseball team in Venezuela to gain more experience. He hoped to become a manager for an MLB team. After leaving the Mets in 1989, he worked as a baseball broadcaster for ESPN.
In 1992, Robinson returned to managing. He led the San Francisco Giants' minor league team, the Shreveport Captains, to a great record. He also coached and managed other minor league teams for the Yankees and Phillies.
His Passing
Bill Robinson passed away on July 29, 2007, at the age of 64. He died in a hotel room in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cause of his death is not known, but he did have diabetes. At the time, he was working as a hitting coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league teams. He was visiting one of their teams when he died. He was survived by his wife, Mary Alice, and his two children.
