Robinson On Hand
By Ken Klavon, USGA
Baltimore -- Baseball Hall of Famer and 12-time Gold Glove
winner Brooks Robinson, arguably the greatest third baseman
of all time, was in attendance to help drum up support for
the Senior Open.
The gregarious Baltimore Orioles legend owns a sprawling
home that oversees the 11th hole. So he decided
to walk down for the festivities.
“I think it’s wonderful to have a U.S. Senior Open here,”
said Robinson. “It’ll be great for the economy, for businesses,
for the state. It’s been the club’s goal to bring it here.”
Since ending his baseball career in 1977 after 23 years,
Robinson has stayed active in the community, mainly doing
public relations work for a couple of companies. He’s currently
heavily involved in the Major League Baseball Alumni Association,
which puts on 35-40 golf tournaments a year around the country.
He moved to California for a brief period a decade ago before
returning, and fell in love with Caves Valley. “It’s the first
club I’ve ever been a member of,” he said.
A little grayer (OK, a lot) and a bit more filled out around
the middle, Robinson will soon be 65. ‘The Human Vacuum Cleaner,’
as he was affectionately known during his playing days, went
silent when his age came up.
“I just collected my first Social Security check,” he said.
“I can’t believe it.”
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