Robinson was unfortunate in being ballyhooed as "the next
Mickey Mantle" after the
Yankees traded the popular
Clete Boyer to Atlanta to obtain him. He struggled for
three years with the Yankees, toiled in the Phillies system, and almost quit before
finally maturing and hitting 25 homers in 1973. With Pittsburgh, Robinson never had
a position, as manager
Chuck Tanner used his "super-regular" in the outfield, at
first base, and at third base. In 1977, he reached career highs of .304, 26 HR, and
104 RBI. He hit 24 HR in 1979 when Pittsburgh became World Champions and collected
another
World Series ring as batting coach for the 1986 Mets.
(JCA)