![Frank Robinson with the 1966 AL MVP award.]()
Sun file photo
Frank Robinson with the 1966 AL MVP award.
![Hall of Fame former Oriole Frank Robinson speaks after the...]()
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Hall of Fame former Oriole Frank Robinson speaks after the team unveiled a statue of him at Camden Yards. It is one of six statues of the team's Hall of Famers to be unveiled at the stadium this season.
![Major league Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Frank Robinson,...]()
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Major league Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Frank Robinson, right, high fives Ali Cornish, 13, after encouraging him to play more baseball during MLB's Play Ball event at Carroll Park on Aug. 26, 2015.
![Orioles general manager Hank Peters, right, talks with Frank Robinson...]()
Baltimore Sun
Orioles general manager Hank Peters, right, talks with Frank Robinson at spring training in Miami, Fla., in 1985
![Eddie Murray delivers his speech to an audience of 18,000...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Eddie Murray delivers his speech to an audience of 18,000 during the induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y. 'Steady Eddie,' the career RBI leader among switch-hitters, was a three-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time All-Star.
![Baseball Hall of Fame members Gary Carter, left, and Eddie...]()
AP photo
Baseball Hall of Fame members Gary Carter, left, and Eddie Murray talk at the beginning of the 2003 induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Cal Ripken Jr. throws to first base after making a...]()
Sun photo by John Makely
Cal Ripken Jr. throws to first base after making a diving stop in a game during the 1999 season.
![Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges the crowd after being introduced during...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges the crowd after being introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony today at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. Among the Hall of Famers seated behind Ripken are fellow 2007 inductee Tony Gwynn (left) and former Orioles Eddie Murray, Earl Weaver and Brooks Robinson.
![Former Oriole first baseman Eddie Murray gives an emotional speech...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Former Oriole first baseman Eddie Murray gives an emotional speech during the Baseball Hall of Fame inductions in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![The Orioles unveil the statue of Frank Robinson beyond the...]()
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
The Orioles unveil the statue of Frank Robinson beyond the left-center-field fence at Camden Yards.
![Cal Ripken is shown in the viewfinder a photographer's camera...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Cal Ripken is shown in the viewfinder a photographer's camera during a joint press conference with Tony Gwynn.
![Former Orioles manager Earl Weaver joins Lee Mazzilli in the...]()
Sun photo by Elizabeth Malby
Former Orioles manager Earl Weaver joins Lee Mazzilli in the dugout at Fort Lauderdale Stadium during Spring Training in 2004.
![Cal Ripken Jr. said Hall of Fame induction marks another...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. said Hall of Fame induction marks another beginning in his life. "The Streak is marked by a number -- a start and an end," Ripken said. "I truly believe there are no endings, just points at which we begin again. As I experience another new beginning with this induction I can only hope that all of us can reflect on how fortunate we are."
![Frank Robinson poses in the Orioles clubhouse.]()
RICHARD STACKS / Baltimore Sun
Frank Robinson poses in the Orioles clubhouse.
![Switch-hitting Eddie Murray shows his classic stance from the left...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Switch-hitting Eddie Murray shows his classic stance from the left side in a game in 1986. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003, Murray became the third player in baseball history to total 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.
![Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (20,) and others walk off...]()
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (20,) and others walk off the field after the postgame ceremony to celebrate the Orioles' 60th anniversary on Aug. 8, 2014.
![Orioles' Frank Robinson hits a homer in the ninth inning...]()
LeRoy B. Merriken / Baltimore Sun
Orioles' Frank Robinson hits a homer in the ninth inning against New York Yankees on April 15, 1966.
![A young fan reaches out to touch fingers with Frank...]()
Pearson / Baltimore Sun
A young fan reaches out to touch fingers with Frank Robinson while Mike Cuellar and Jim Palmer, right, look on as 4,000 of the Orioles faithful turned out at Friendship International Airport on Oct. 17, 1969.
![Nationals manager (and former Oriole) Frank Robinson greets Diamondbacks manager...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Nationals manager (and former Oriole) Frank Robinson greets Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin before the start of the game.
![Frank Robinson tracks down a fly ball during Orioles spring...]()
Joseph A. Dipaola / BALTIMORE SUN
Frank Robinson tracks down a fly ball during Orioles spring training in Miami. (March 1968)
![From left, Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Frank Robinson during...]()
HARRIS / Baltimore Sun
From left, Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Frank Robinson during the 1971 World Series.
![From left to right, Orioles Hall of Famers Jim Palmer,...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
From left to right, Orioles Hall of Famers Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken Jr., Earl Weaver, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Eddie Murray pose for a picture after Ripken's induction in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Frank Robinson manages the Orioles on April 12, 1988.]()
Baltimore Sun
Frank Robinson manages the Orioles on April 12, 1988.
![Orioles greats and Hall of Famers Earl Weaver (back) and...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Orioles greats and Hall of Famers Earl Weaver (back) and Brooks Robinson wave to the crowd before the induction ceremony for Cal Ripken Jr.
![Former Orioles pitcher Tippy Martinez, left, greets Hall of Famer and...]()
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Former Orioles pitcher Tippy Martinez, left, greets Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Frank Robinson with a hug during the Play Ball event at Carroll Park at Aug. 26, 2015.
![Back row, left to right, senior advisor to Major League...]()
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
Back row, left to right, senior advisor to Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) executive director Omar Minaya, Orioles great Frank Robinson, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and former Orioles player Eric Davis, listen as Robinson is introduced. MLBPA held a Fun Day at the James Mosher Youth Baseball League field on June 13, 2015.
![As Carlton Fisk (right) cheers them on, Hall of Fame...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
As Carlton Fisk (right) cheers them on, Hall of Fame honorees Eddie Murray and Gary Carter embrace at the end of their remarks. Carter read passages from the Bible in a polished speech before chants of "Ed-die!" welcomed Murray.
![Hall of Famer Frank Robinson is shown in front of...]()
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Hall of Famer Frank Robinson is shown in front of the new statue of him at Camden Yards.
![Cal Ripken Jr. wipes away tears as he talks about...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Cal Ripken Jr. wipes away tears as he talks about his family during his Hall of Fame induction speech in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Expos manager Frank Robinson addresses the media after arriving at...]()
Sun photo by John Makely
Expos manager Frank Robinson addresses the media after arriving at the Montreal Expos training camp in 2002.
![Hall of Fame inductees Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn have...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Hall of Fame inductees Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn have fun in front of the cameras during a joint press conference.
![Lee Smith, right, and Harold Baines, both former Orioles, pose...]()
John Locher / AP
Lee Smith, right, and Harold Baines, both former Orioles, pose for photographers during a news conference for the Baseball Hall of Fame during the Major League Baseball winter meetings, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Las Vegas.
![A 20-year-old Jim Palmer executes a pitch en route to...]()
AP photo
A 20-year-old Jim Palmer executes a pitch en route to his 6-0 World Series victory over the Dodgers on October 6, 1966. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990, Palmer's career numbers include eight 20-win seasons, a .638 winning percentage and a 2.86 ERA.
![Brooks Robinson, left, and Frank Robinson stand by as the...]()
LAFORCE / Baltimore Sun
Brooks Robinson, left, and Frank Robinson stand by as the Orioles' 1966 World Championship baseball flag is raised at Memorial Stadium on Opening Day, April 12, 1967.
![Cal Ripken Jr. takes in a game from the bench,...]()
Sun photo by Doug Kapustin
Cal Ripken Jr. takes in a game from the bench, a rare position during his Hall-of-Fame career.
![In this July 1971 photo, Frank Robinson (2nd from L)...]()
File Photo
In this July 1971 photo, Frank Robinson (2nd from L) holds the ball from his 2,500 major league hit with teammates (LtoR) Don Buford, Brooks Robinson, and Paul Blair.
![Orioles bullpen coach Elrod Hendricks chats with Nationals manager Frank...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Orioles bullpen coach Elrod Hendricks chats with Nationals manager Frank Robinson before a Spring Training game on March 5, 2005.
![Orioles outfielder Frank Robinson holds three crowns symbolizing his winning...]()
Baltimore Sun
Orioles outfielder Frank Robinson holds three crowns symbolizing his winning of the triple crown in 1966.
![Former Orioles star Cal Ripken Jr. is all smiles as...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Former Orioles star Cal Ripken Jr. is all smiles as he talks to the news media at Camden Yards after being elected to the Hall of Fame. His wife, Kelly Ripken, is at left.
![Brooks Robinson, left, and Cal Ripken Jr., right, take part...]()
Sun photo by Elizabeth Malby
Brooks Robinson, left, and Cal Ripken Jr., right, take part in the Orioles' Opening Night ceremonies on April 4, 2004.
![Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Frank Robinson, right,...]()
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Frank Robinson, right, shares a laugh with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred before the Play Ball event at Carroll Park on Aug. 26, 2015.
![Cal Ripken Jr. prepares to talk at a news conference...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Cal Ripken Jr. prepares to talk at a news conference at Camden Yards after being elected to the Hall of Fame.
![Frank Robinson smiles as he holds the contract he signed...]()
Sun photo by Joe DiPaola
Frank Robinson smiles as he holds the contract he signed with the Orioles in March 1966.
![From left to right, Orioles' Boog Powell, Brooks Robinson and...]()
Clarence B. Garrett / Baltimore Sun
From left to right, Orioles' Boog Powell, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson chat on Oct. 7, 1970.
![Orioles greats Frank Robinson, left, and Brooks Robinson during a gathering of...]()
Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun
Orioles greats Frank Robinson, left, and Brooks Robinson during a gathering of Orioles legends at the Warehouse on Aug. 8, 2014.
![In his first full season as Orioles manager in 1989,...]()
Sun staff 1989
In his first full season as Orioles manager in 1989, Frank Robinson took a club that lost 107 games the year before to second place.
![Frank Robinson poses in January 1966.]()
BALTIMORE SUN
Frank Robinson poses in January 1966.
![Cal Ripken appears to tear up a bit as Tony...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Cal Ripken appears to tear up a bit as Tony Gwynn talks about what his father meant to his life and career.
![Former manager Earl Weaver acknowledges the crowd during pregame festivities...]()
Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron
Former manager Earl Weaver acknowledges the crowd during pregame festivities before the opening game of the 2004 season.
![Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. hold their plaques after...]()
AP photo
Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. hold their plaques after their induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Newly inducted Eddie Murray (second from left) joins Baseball Hall...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Newly inducted Eddie Murray (second from left) joins Baseball Hall of Fame Orioles Jim Palmer (left), Earl Weaver and Brooks Robinson.
![Former Oriole great and Oriole manager Frank Robinson, who now...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Former Oriole great and Oriole manager Frank Robinson, who now manages the Washington Nationals, waves to the Oriole Park at Camden Yards crowd.
![Cal Ripken Jr. listens to Tony Gywnn during a news...]()
Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron
Cal Ripken Jr. listens to Tony Gywnn during a news conference today at the Baltimore Convention Center.
![Orioles great Frank Robinson talks to the crowd during the...]()
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
Orioles great Frank Robinson talks to the crowd during the Major League Baseball Players Association's Fun Day at the James Mosher Youth Baseball League fields on June 13, 2015.
![American League All-Star Manny Machado, left, of the Orioles speaks with...]()
Rob Carr / Getty Images
American League All-Star Manny Machado, left, of the Orioles speaks with Frank Robinson prior to the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
![Cal Ripken Jr.'s son, Ryan, looks on while his father...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr.'s son, Ryan, looks on while his father talks at a news conference at Camden Yards after the Hall of Fame announcement.
![Pitcher Pete Richert gives outfielder Frank Robinson a champagne bath...]()
File Photo
Pitcher Pete Richert gives outfielder Frank Robinson a champagne bath to celebrate the Baltimore Orioles' clinching the eastern title of the American League.
![Cal Ripken throws out the first pitch with daughter Rachel...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Cal Ripken throws out the first pitch with daughter Rachel by his side. The Aberdeen Ironbirds were taking on the Oneonta Tigers in a New York-Penn League game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Second baseman Roberto Alomar, who played for the Orioles from...]()
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Second baseman Roberto Alomar, who played for the Orioles from 1996 to 1998, holds his plaque during the induction ceremony at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
![Hall of Fame former Oriole Frank Robinson is shown next...]()
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Hall of Fame former Oriole Frank Robinson is shown next to his statue.
![Baltimore, Md.--8/26/15-- Major league Hall of Famer and former Orioles...]()
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Baltimore, Md.--8/26/15-- Major league Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Frank Robinson, right, autographs a baseball for Jean Zayas, 13, left, during the Play Ball event at Carroll Park on Aug. 26, 2015.
![Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Willie Mays share a...]()
Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Willie Mays share a laugh before the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
![Brooks Robinson leaps toward Dave McNally and catcher Andy Etchebarren...]()
Sun file photo
Brooks Robinson leaps toward Dave McNally and catcher Andy Etchebarren after the Orioles defeated the Dodgers 1-0 in Game 4 to sweep the 1966 World Series.
![Under the watchful eye of coach George Bamberger, Jim Palmer...]()
AP photo
Under the watchful eye of coach George Bamberger, Jim Palmer takes some warmup pitches at the opening of Spring Training in 1969 -- a season that saw the Orioles' all-time winningest pitcher go 16-4 with a 2.34 ERA.
![Orioles right fielder Frank Robinson scores the winning run in...]()
Sun file photo
Orioles right fielder Frank Robinson scores the winning run in the 10th inning of Game 6 during the 1971 World Series on a sacrifice fly by Brooks Robinson. The Orioles won the game, 3-2, but eventually lost the series in seven games.
![Paul Blair is congratulated by Andy Etchebarren (left) and Frank...]()
Baltimore Sun
Paul Blair is congratulated by Andy Etchebarren (left) and Frank Robinson as he comes off field following a surprise bunt that scored winning run for the Orioles on Oct. 5, 1969.
![Cal Ripken Jr. talks at a news conference at Camden...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. talks at a news conference at Camden Yards after being elected to the Hall of Fame.
![This plaque shows the accomplishments of former Oriole first baseman...]()
AP photo
This plaque shows the accomplishments of former Oriole first baseman Eddie Murray, who is a member of this year's Hall of Fame class.
![Baseball Hall of Famer and Orioles Hall of Famer Frank...]()
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Baseball Hall of Famer and Orioles Hall of Famer Frank Robinson is introduced as the Orioles celebrates their 60th anniversary with a postgame ceremony on Aug. 8, 2014.
![Orioles slugger Frank Robinson and his wife, Barbara, sit in...]()
Baltimore Sun
Orioles slugger Frank Robinson and his wife, Barbara, sit in the new 1967 Corvette presented to him by Sports Magazine after he was named outstanding player of the 1966 World Series by the publication. Robinson was the series leader in home runs and RBIs.
![In this Aug. 25, 2012 file photo, former Baltimore Orioles...]()
Gail Burton / AP
In this Aug. 25, 2012 file photo, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina waves to fans during a Orioles Hall of Fame ceremony before a baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Orioles, in Baltimore.
![Frank Robinson was selected into the Orioles Hall of Fame...]()
Baltimore Sun file photo
Frank Robinson was selected into the Orioles Hall of Fame in its inaugural season in 1977. Robinson won the AL Triple Crown in 1966. He was named MVP twice -- with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and with the Orioles in 1966.
![Cal Ripken Jr. holds his plaque after being inducted into...]()
AP photo
Cal Ripken Jr. holds his plaque after being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mike Mussina speaks during a...]()
Frank Franklin II / AP
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mike Mussina speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in New York.
![National Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson arrives for an...]()
Mike Groll / Associated Press
National Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson arrives for an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 26, 2015, in Cooperstown, N.Y.
![Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982, Robinson totaled...]()
Staff photo by Richard Stacks
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982, Robinson totaled 586 home runs in an impressive career that included MVP awards in both leagues and the Triple Crown in 1966.
![O's manager Frank Robinson argues with first base umpire Ken...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
O's manager Frank Robinson argues with first base umpire Ken Kaiser in 1988. In 1975, Robinson was chosen as skipper of the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first African-American manager in major league history.
![In spring 1957, the Orioles wanted George Kell to work...]()
1964 Sun file photo
In spring 1957, the Orioles wanted George Kell to work with Brooks Robinson on his backhand mechanics. He refused, saying Robinson hadn't missed a backhand ball all spring. "There wasn't much I could tell him," Kell said.
![This statue of Frank Robinson is the first of six...]()
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
This statue of Frank Robinson is the first of six the Orioles will unveil this season at Camden Yards to honor the team's Hall of Famers. The other five are Brooks Robinson, Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken Jr.
![Frank Robinson at the plate in 1966.]()
Baltimore Sun
Frank Robinson at the plate in 1966.
![From left, Baseball Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey and...]()
Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
From left, Baseball Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey and chairman of the board Jane Fobes Clarke and baseball commissioner Bud Selig join Cal Ripken Jr. on the stage during the induction ceremony.
![Amid a swarm of children and parents, Mayor Theodore McKeldin...]()
CHILDRESS / Baltimore Sun
Amid a swarm of children and parents, Mayor Theodore McKeldin announces a tempoary name change for Cedardale Road to Robinson Road for Orioles slugger Frank Robinson , Orioles Slugger, standing behind him along with his son and wife on Sept. 27, 1966.
![Earl Weaver cradles his plaque after being inducted into the...]()
Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron.
Earl Weaver cradles his plaque after being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. In his career, Weaver managed the Orioles to 1,480 victories, five 100-win seasons and a .583 winning percentage over 17 seasons.
![Frank Robinson takes batting practice at spring training in Miami....]()
Baltimore Sun Staff File Photo / BALTIMORE SUN
Frank Robinson takes batting practice at spring training in Miami. (March 1966)
![Frank Robinson is presented with the ball he hit out...]()
Baltimore Sun
Frank Robinson is presented with the ball he hit out of Memorial Stadium on May 9, 1966, by Michael Sparaco, 15, and Bill Wheatley, 14, who retrieved the ball from under an auto in the parking lot.
![Earl Weaver during the final game of the season in...]()
Sun file photo
Earl Weaver during the final game of the season in 1982.
![Fellow Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, right, sits with Frank...]()
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Fellow Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, right, sits with Frank Robinson during a ceremony to honor Robinson and unveil a statue of him at Camden Yards.
![Orioles designated hitter Eddie Murray acknowledges the fans at Camden...]()
Sun photo by Doug Kapustin
Orioles designated hitter Eddie Murray acknowledges the fans at Camden Yards after hitting his 500th career home run.
Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who led the Orioles to their first World Series title in 1966, is in the late stages of a long illness, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
Robinson, 83, was the first African-American manager in both the American and National Leagues. He also managed the Orioles for parts of four seasons (1988-1991) and worked in the club’s front office during a long post-playing career that most recently has been spent as an executive in MLB’s central office.
He has been battling health problems for several months and last appeared at a major baseball event in July, when he traveled to Washington to take part in the All-Star Game festivities.
There has been no comment on the situation from family members or Major League Baseball.
When Robinson retired as a player after breaking the managerial color barrier by agreeing to be the player-manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1974, his offensive statistics placed him among a handful of truly elite offensive players. His 586 career home runs ranked fourth all-time, though he has been overtaken by six players during the past two decades.
He became the first African-American manager in the National League when he was hired by the San Francisco Giants in 1981. He also managed the Montreal Expos and accompanied the franchise on its move to Washington, where he was the Nationals’ first manager.
As a player, he was National League Rookie of the Year for the Cincinnati Reds in 1956 and won the Most Valuable Player award in both leagues — with the Reds in 1961 and the Orioles in 1966.
