Brooks Robinson, Hall of Fame Orioles third baseman, dies at 86

[Collimator]

12. When Brooks And Frank Robinson both played for the Orioles. . .

. . . There were a lot of jokes about the two men being brothers, when they were obviously of different races. Some people today might look upon such observations and humor as "cringe" and I can understand that.

But I look upon those jokes as people trying--trying to bridge the gaps between groups whom history and society designated as other from one another. People who grew up in different neighborhoods who never got a chance to know each other shared a hometown pride in the Robinson Brothers. It was hardly a groundbreaking moment in the struggle against racism and maybe it is silly and embarassing now. Still, it was nice to see the hate and suspicion set aside in the admiration that all Baltimorians had for this duo.