A third of a way to something special

Playing in his first game in the major leagues and wearing No. 40, Brooks Robinson – fresh up from the Class B York White Roses – goes 2-for-4 in the Orioles’ 3-1 victory over the Washington Senators 69 years ago today before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 5,486 at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium.

Robinson, who arguably becomes the game’s greatest defensive third baseman but then all of 18 years old, handles only one chance in the game – an inning-ending forceout at third on Chuck Stobbs’ two-out, two-on grounder in the top of the fourth.

Robinson, of course, gets plenty of other opportunities at third base over the next 22-plus seasons, totaling 9,165 chances in a Hall of Fame career that includes a record 16 Gold Gloves, 18 All-Star Game selections and two World Series championships.

By the way, Robinson wears No. 40 and then No. 6 during his first two seasons in the majors before switching to his iconic No. 5 in 1957, his third season in Baltimore.

“I remember running back to the hotel,” Robinson later tells author Paul Scimonelli of his debut from 69 years ago today.

“It was the Southern Hotel in Baltimore and I called up my parents and said, ‘Hey, Mom and Dad, guess what?’ I just played my first game, got two hits and drove in a big run. I said, this is my cup of tea!”