Another first for Frank Robinson

Sports Illustrated photo

Six years after becoming the major leagues’ first Black manager with the Cleveland Indians in 1975, Frank Robinson 43 years ago today becomes the National League’s first Black manager as the San Francisco Giants hire him to replace Dave Bristol.

By then, the curiosity of being the game’s first Black manager wanes, a lack of additional attention that Robinson gladly welcomes.

“It's nice to come into a town and be referred to as the manager of the Cleveland Indians instead of as the first Black manager,” Robinson tells The Sporting News.

Robinson, the Hall of Fame outfielder, manages the Giants for four seasons before moving on to run the Baltimore Orioles for four more seasons and, finally, the Montreal Expos for three seasons before he and the franchise move to Washington after the summer of 2004.

Robinson then closes out his 17-year managerial career with two seasons in Washington, finishing his career in the dugout with 1,065 wins, 1,176 losses and one runaway choice as Manager of the Year Award for his work with the Orioles in 1989.

All the time, Robinson builds a reputation as a being stern, but fair manager.

“He can step on your shoes,” says future Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, who plays for Robinson in 1981 and ’82, “but he doesn’t mess up your shine.”

Joe Morgan with Frank Robinson in 1981 (San Francisco Chronicle photo)