Books and articles about Bill Robinson

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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)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » November 29, 1966: The Yankees trade 3B Clete Boyer to the Braves for OF Bill Robinson and 39-year-old P Chi Chi Olivo. » April 5, 1975: The Phillies trade OF Bill Robinson to the Pirates for P Wayne Simpson. » June 5, 1976: Pittsburgh loses a 15 inning, 11–9 marathon at home to the Padres despite three home runs by Bucs' OF Bill Robinson. » June 7, 1976: In a 5–4 Pirates win over the Reds, the two teams combine for seven solo homers. Joe Morgan (2) and Pete Rose homer for Cincy, while Al Oliver, Willie Stargell, Richie Zisk and Bill Robinson go deep for the host Pirates. » July 29, 1977: Phil Niekro picks up his 10th win of the year, beating the Pirates 5–3 for the Braves. But he has to strike out four Bucs in the 6th inning to do it. He struck out Dave Parker and Bill Robinson, but after Al Oliver doubled, Rennie Stennett whiffed and reached 1st when the ball eluded the catcher. Omar Moreno then made the 4th K in the inning. » June 15, 1982: In a convoluted three-way deal, the Pirates send vet Bill Robinson to the Phils, while the Phils send promising OF Dick Davis to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays send Wayne Nordhagen to the Bucs. Nordhagen plays one game for Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4, and then goes down with a stiff back. Claiming a pre-existent injury, the Pirates complain to Toronto, and on June 25 the Jays agree to take Nordhagen back, sending Davis to the Pirates. Alas, Davis, who plays in nine road games with the Jays, will hit .182 for the Bucs.