. Free passes were very rare when the gentlemanly hurler from Springfield, Illinois, was delivering to the dish. Quite the opposite; Roberts slid his fastball into the strike zone and by the best of hitters as if it were a runaway comet streaking across a sheet of ice.Robin Roberts won 286 games in his career, most of them for teams which were second division in record (save for the 1950 “Whiz Kids” Philadelphia Phillies), but always popular with the fans.Today, those cheers have turned into pleas for the days of yore – the great Robin Roberts can no longer take the hill.
Robin Roberts’ demise came as a surprise
The sure-shot pitcher died from natural causes in his comfortable home in Temple Terrace, Florida, reports USA Today.At 83 years of age death can happen to everyone, although there had been no signs of unusually ill health reported.He is survived by four sons, a brother, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.Robin Roberts is the second high-profile member of the Philadelphia Phillies family to have died within the past year, as broadcaster Harry Kalas died at the beginning of the 2009 season.
Robin Roberts was the primary man for Philly from 1948 until 1961
Through 19 seasons in the sun (14 in Philadelphia), Robin Roberts took control of his games.This ensured that batters always had to pay attention when they faced him, but it also means that he was frequently within the strike zone and prone to the long ball.He surrendered 505 home runs in his career, more than any other Major League pitcher.But Roberts was still one of the best right-handers in the National League during his tenure with Philadelphia.Along with Grover Cleveland Alexander before him and Steve Carlton to follow, Robin Roberts stands above all other pitchers in Philadelphia Phillies history.In terms of individual achievement, Roberts most outstanding showing came in 1952 when he led the NL with 28 wins.
Roberts was always a Phillies fan
His son Jim Roberts told Reuters that he never missed the Phillies when they were on television.The fact that the Phillies made it to the World Series each of the past two seasons (winning in 2008) was a fantastic source of pride for the lifetime Whiz Kid.Giddy exclamations like “Did you see Jimmy (Rollins) make that play?” or “I wish I had Brad (Lidge’s) slider!” characterized just how much of the wide-eyed child Robin Roberts never lost.But the thing is, that wide-eyed young man within the twilight of his years sported quite a slide-piece himself.
Sources
USA Today
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/05/hall-of-famer-robin-roberts-dead-at-83/1
Robin Roberts
http://daily.phanaticmag.com/2010/05/phillies-hall-of-famer-robin-roberts.html
