Frank Robinson

Frank Robinson made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 1956 capturing the NL Rookie of the year award hitting a then rookie record 38 home runs. He is the first (and only) player to win the MVP award in both Leagues; with the Reds in 1961 and the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 when he also captured the AL Triple Crown leading the league with 49 HRs, 122 RBI and a .316 batting average.

Towards the end of his 21-year Hall of Fame career Robinson became Major League Baseball’s first African American manager while doubling as a designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians in 1975. Robinson managed his former Orioles team from 1988-1991 and was named American League Manager of the Year in 1989.

Robinson was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and received MLB’s Beacon of Life Award in 2008 for embodying the spirit of the civil rights movement. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.