Best of Brooks Robinson’s Defense | Baltimore Orioles

[@Anoldphotographer]

Brooks came to a new housing development for an autograph signing event and my older brother wanted Brooks' autograph but had to work so he asked me to go in his place. I was only too happy to do so since I thought Brooks was great. I had just bought a new VHS camcorder and I thought it would be great to have Brooks say a few words for the camera. Well when I got there I was a little hesitant about asking him to do it but he thought it was a great idea. I almost fell over when Brooks proceeded to do a full-blown routine about how good a friend he was with my brother and how much he was sorry he couldn't come in person but looked forward to seeing him soon. Needless to say, my brother was thrilled. Years later I was a construction superintendent in Baltimore and we were working on the building where the headquarters for Crown Petroleum (whom Brooks was closely tied to) and as I went to get into the elevator there stood Brooks on his way to the Crown headquarters. I said hello Mr. Robinson I guess you don't remember me and to my surprise he looked at me and said, "Sure I remember you, that was the first and only video-taped autograph I ever did." One genuinely nice person, on or off the field.

[@garyowen9044]

What a wonderful memory! Brooks was one of a kind.

[@kengruz669]

Wowzers!

[@crwnikeboy]

That’s awesome!!!

[@Jacket762]

That is an awesome story man. Cherished moment

[@Anoldphotographer]

@@Jacket762 Thanks, my Brother got a great kick out of it and so did I.

[@garythompson8629]

BAR NONE, the greatest defensive 3rd baseman to ever play the game!

[@jshelhorse]

I attended Mark Belanger's baseball camp in 1973, and Brooks spent a day of instruction with us. 50 yrs. later ... how lucky was I?

[@edwardyoung522]

The greatest third baseman ever.

[@aaronbeamesderfer2389]

No one ever will have the same crazy reflexes that Brooks had

[@aa697]

Let's not forget in addition to being a great 3rd baseman Brooks was also a tremendous clutch hitter. RIP Brooks Robinson

[@donr6705]

Brooks wasn’t just a great “clutch” hitter; he led the entire American League in hits during the 1960s.

[@aa697]

@@donr6705 Right, and he got the hits when they counted to win ballgames.

Absolutely right! He worked hard on his hitting. He was not a great hitter like Henry Aaron or Ted Williams, but he was a good hitter. He didn't get as many hits as the really big hitters, but the best thing about his hitting is that a disturbingly large number of the hits that he did get seemed to come at crucial times.

[@califinn]

Reflexes, agility, footwork and a very accurate arm, guy was unbelievable at the hot corner, nobody played it better.

[@johnisouth6636]

Greatest EVER third baseman.

[@kevinmiller6380]

johnisouth-Mike Schmidt is right up there with Robby, Eddie Mathews, and other great third basemen.

[@thebesttdog8]

@@kevinmiller6380 Arod???

[@MickeyMo600]

​@@thebesttdog8George Brett???😂

[@toddfrank3344]

Agreed. Sorry, Schmidt and Brett fans.

[@nelsonperez5289]

​@@kevinmiller6380no one can field like Brooks, the original comment was on the glove side.

[@j.r.weaver9110]

My baseball hero from age 8. Unforgettable. Thank you, Brooks.

[@raymundotorres6905]

Rest in peace Brooks, thanks for the wonderful memories

[@PedroDrPerico]

Simply the best. RIP Mr. Brooks Robinson, best third base of all eras. Much respect and love from Mexico.

[@michaeltootikian4402]

Brooks Robinson the best ever RIP A class act

[@markb61]

If there was a single player you name that personifies a baseball franchise with the Yanks it's The Babe, the Cards it's Stan Musial, Red Sox, Ted Williams. Well, with the O's it's Brooks.

[@GabrielAmoss-w2p]

You know babe Ruth played for the Orioles as one of his first teams. The history is crazy

[@kevinmiller6380]

markb-Don't forget Lou Gerhig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, etc.

[@AliceYobby]

Lou Brock or Ozzie Smith, in my mind is our Cardinals great

[@pjlederer5139]

Brooks made the ridiculous look routine for 20 years . That's why he was the best ever.

[@kevinadams7234]

I am nine years-old with my dad in the upper deck of right field at the old Tiger Stadium (on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull). I am sitting next to a guy with Oriole gear on and a Brooks Robinson jersey - I think it was an actual game day jersey because I don't think they sold replica jerseys in 1965. Chatted him up and he said he was Brooks cousin. Next day (Saturday) I go down to the edge of the Oriole dugout after their BP and Brooks is walking into the dugout. I say hey Brooks I sat next to your cousin in right field last night. He walks to the corner of the dugout and says "He told me that you are a big fan of mine." I didn't know what to say - he then asked me if he could autograph my baseball cap, what position I played and I am not believing he has time to talk to me. Made my day and 58 years later I am recounting this story. What a tremendous person!

[@saldifrancesca2500]

Greatest ever to play 3rd base....he was super clutch as a hitter too....16 Gold Gloves, 18 Allstars, MVP in 1964,World Series champion

[@Trystaticus]

I was born in the 90's, but man what I wouldn't give to go back and see the 73-75 Orioles play in person. Grich on 2B, Belanger at SS, and Brooks at 3B; It's no wonder the '73 Orioles have the highest Total Zone of any team ever. Even with a middle-of-the-pack pitching staff, they managed to allow fewer runs than any other team that season.

[@popeyeandthejeep7459]

Brooks defensive abilities an clutch hitting got him into the hall of fame. No third basemen can compare. Mazeroski's ability to turn a double play and clutch hitting got him in the hall of fame. Clemente's ability to do everything got him into the hall of fame. These are the ball cards I find worth collecting. Defense matters

[@joedirt4345]

Rip Brooks, truly a better man than ballplayer, now let’s go win it all for him.

[@thewkovacs316]

he was a great ballplayer

[@joedirt4345]

@@thewkovacs316 absolutely, one of the best 3rd basemen ever which tells you what kind of a man he was.

[@HarrisonPeloso]

RIP BROOKS OUR TRUE ORIOLE

[@Cavalier.440]

The Lord called up Brooks Robinson, and that's a call-up that we should all strive for. 🛌☕⏳🌎📖🛐🌄

[@1970sRacing]

as a kid from the 60's , he meant everything to us

[@0202068103]

Magnificent. When I was a child I was fortunate enough to see him play at the old Memorial Stadium, and these old film clips still never fail to amaze me. Brooooks!!

[@josephnicolino8529]

He won the 1970 World Series by himself. RIP to a great ballplayer

[@ronaldlebowitz7409]

r.i.p brooks you were my hero a kid jr. oriole and now a old man will never forget you

[@halfblood3720]

Rest easy 5🖤🧡

[@troyrichards6752]

Fantastic reflexes and hands

[@tomtermini1254]

Greatest defensive player of all time

[@davidlafleche1142]

At third, yes. What about great outfielders like Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Carl Yastrzemski and Dwight Evans?

[@tomtermini1254]

@@davidlafleche1142 I'll take Brooks Robinson... definitely debatable but easy call for me

[@andresguillen9186]

Wat a LEGEND!!!! RIP Brook

[@Eric-yn6ur]

Upload some classic clips from his commentary years. He was a broadcaster for a long time. And a lot of us that grew up in the 90s remember him on the mic.

[@Diecastclassicist]

The GOAT.

[@MichaelRizzo-f2k]

Not only the best third baseman that ever lived a wonderful human being. RIP

[@SteveLee-gm5cw]

No, no one plays like Brooksie. How dare you compare- you’re obviously too young to recall Brooksie. Untouchable, incomparable

[@waynewells3297]

Leo Hernandez was even better than Brooks, fielding percentage-wise. Yep. For 2 days. Vs Robinson’s entire career.

[@GabrielAmoss-w2p]

​@@waynewells3297than it doesn't compare brooks didn't do it for 2 days he did it his entire career. Making plays that was impossible. You obviously don't know the history of older players

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@GabrielAmoss-w2p, its called sarcasm

[@waynewells3297]

@@GabrielAmoss-w2p DUDE, I was KIDDING. Jeez, lighten up.

[@davidcahill6490]

Greatest ALLTIME my friend. Sadly I wasn't really into dem O's but I remember my first game in 74 AND DEM ARE MY O'S FOR LIFE.🧡🧡🧡

[@deniscortes9200]

MAN!, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES. I REMENBER IT VIVIDLY.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Brooks was a natural left-hander, he even played Tennis and wrote with his left hand, maybe that's why he was so great with the.glove. Of course, he perfected his craft by spending countless hours practicing, no one had Brooksie's work ethics.

[@GabrielAmoss-w2p]

RIP Mr. Oriole

[@user-ru9gf7ky2y]

Brooks made defense sexy! Bless that man!

[@thelifeofpriceinfinity]

dude was ahead of his time

[@DrRussPhd]

He had such a quick release and a soft pair of hands.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

He’s the best defensive fielder in the MLB, hands down!

[@MightyMattTM]

The only other Orioles infielder that has come close to this level of play in recent memory is Manny Machado. Gunnar is just starting out so we'll see how well he does. Of course, we're still waiting for Jackson Holliday to get up here next year.

[@brendanmadden1446]

It’s amazing to see how close Brooks’ highlights track to Manny’s, 40+ years apart. It’s usually hard to compare across eras, but he truly set the standard, even today.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

CAL RIPKEN JR…you forget?

[@MightyMattTM]

@@mr.smithgnrsmith7808 Cal was a great player but he was not nearly as electric as Brooks or Manny. Also, Cal was a shortstop. Brooks and Manny (mainly) were third basemen.

[@kevinmiller6380]

​@@MightyMattTMRipken played third base late in his career.

[@MightyMattTM]

@@kevinmiller6380 I am aware. He was a shortstop primarily, though

[@josephstewart2827]

He must have been a great basketball too ! Great hands and fast reflexes

[@wilbertocorrea8090]

Brooks Robinson Rawlings Baseball Glove model was my first chrismas gift and Carl Yaztrzemski Adirondack bat. both are HOF and shares 23 shinest years wirh one baseball club each

[@mfgreviews5028]

Brooks had a reaction to bat contact you can't teach. It's the sound at contact they master

[@robertgregory9896]

Great video! Do you have one for Mark Belanger?

[@sgrafx]

The play at 1:45 I had to slow down cause I thought he was safe. NOPE. Got him by a half second.

[@ferny6509]

#thankyou BALTIMORE 🧡🖤🤍🥹 let’s win for brooks

[@keiji-md7gu]

こんなに守備が上手な選手のサインが刻印されたグラブを持つことができて、誇りに思います。

[@awabob]

Good bye Brooks. Thanks for everything. Hey, how bout a catch when I get up there?

[@prayingmantis6777]

I always thought Brooks was known for his glove. He was a good hitter as well.

[@robpatrone2145]

Brooksie could have been a200 hitter and you still would have had him out there everyday. Unbelievable Glove.

[@Isidorios]

In this video, on one play, Robinson cuts down the lead runner on a high-hop, slow ground ball. Rod Carew takes the throw at 2nd and has to leap out of the way of a hard-sliding Roberto Clemente, preventing any chance of a double-play. That he went for the more difficult out, that Carew didn't flinch at risking a collision, and Clemente tried to break it up.....In an All-Star game. I wish players played like this now.

[@thomassweeney4494]

Only a two hour movie will be sufficient for the defense of the Human Vacuum Cleaner.

[@georgeford3687]

Much underrated arm.

[@robertlavrakas7442]

HUMILITY TOO

[@louislove299]

No manny is fair, Brooks is the legend and the greatest. Manny is probably second best fielding 3rd baseman of all time.

[@joehiggs4349]

The Omar Vizquel of 3rd base

[@kengordon7462]

Brooks Robinson is the greatest third baseman in MLB history.

[@matthewmabry1116]

and it's not even close

[@taydemBieneman]

RIP

[@gilbertbronsal3007]

Guys like Ron Santo, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Eddie Matthews, David Wright, Chipper Jones, Scott Rolen & Nolan Arrenado, were all better offensively, but DEFENSIVELY? Brooks was peerless.

[@bmorebob6624]

❤❤

[@ComradeArthur]

2:59 Seriously?

[@lnussbaum6772]

Gunnar plays like this

[@connorsmith9597]

Yeah but for his time brooks was a legend

[@Mattman0106]

Gunnar has been doing really darn good. I haven't paid much attention to baseball in years but we have such a likeable team rn, I'm obsessed with baseball again.

[@terrenceliburd8655]

Brooks was nice with that glove but Mike Schmidt is the greatest 3rd baseman of all time

[@davidlafleche1142]

Wade Boggs is up there.

[@georgevincent1834]

Brooks was great but Nettles was even better.

[@dougcoplin7318]

Brooks at third and Mark Belanger at short. Why did anyone try to hit it that way? SMH

[@williamsnyder1315]

No arguments at all, but FWIW best performance I ever saw was Graig Nettles, 1978 World Series Game 3.

[@ExopMan]

These balls def look like they have less pop than modern rips to third

[@johnnynephrite6147]

Didnt see anything spectacular here. These are all routine plays in college or Triple A.

[@stevencollins5806]

Dude what are you 8 years old

[@johnnynephrite6147]

@@stevencollins5806 you lack the judgement of anyone that has ever played baseball. Are you a Russian spy?

[@wecandobetter9821]

Wow, I can’t believe anyone would say that. Do you even watch baseball??

[@scottyfaay2064]

Inaccurate footwork

[@fittrad3r687]

🤡

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Probably making Jesus laugh