Robin Roberts could get ahead of the hitter before they had a chance to get settled at the plate. As a result, the strong right-hander very rarely walked opposing hitters. 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 that were second division in record (save for the 1950 “Whiz Kids” Philadelphia Phillies), but always popular with the fans.Regrettably, the cheers are replaced by a mournful silence – Robin Roberts is no more.
Robin Roberts’ death was unexpected
USA Today reports that Roberts’ previous Philadelphia Phillies family have announced the Hall of Famer’s death came from natural causes when he convalesced at his Temple Terrace, Fla. home.At 83 years of age death can happen to anybody, although there had been no signs of unusually ill health reported.Roberts leaves behind four boys, one brother, seven grandkids and a great-grandson.The loss of Robin Roberts so soon following the death of beloved Philadelphia broadcaster Harry Kalas in 2009 is a great blow to the Phillies extended family.
Robin Roberts starred for the Phillies from 1948 to 1961
Through 19 seasons within the sun (14 in Philadelphia), Robin Roberts took control of his games.Roberts’ control was a double-edged sword in that it kept hitters from being able to wait out a walk, but it also made him prone to serving up home runs.He surrendered 505 home runs in his career, a lot more than Major League pitcher.In spite of this, his ultimate command of the strike zone made him a force to be reckoned with.Robin Roberts deserves to be mentioned within the same breath as Grover Cleveland Alexander and Steve Carlton as the greatest pitchers in Philadelphia Phillies franchise history.Setting aside the glory of the pennant-winning 1950 season, Roberts’ best statistical year was 1952, when he led the National League with 28 victories.
Roberts was always a Phillies fan
According to son Jim Roberts, Robin Roberts never missed a game on TV.The fact the Phillies made it to the World Series each of the past two seasons (winning in 2008) was a great source of pride for the lifetime Whiz Kid.”What an athlete we have in Worth” or “My slider was never like Brad (Lidge’s)” were common things Jim would hear his father say.Yet Robin Roberts had humility; his slider was as good as any within the history of the game.
Sources for the article
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
