Behind The Scoreboard: Celebrating MLB's Eddie Robinson

Garden City NY

08 December, 2020

8:50 AM

Description

My philosophy is "Everything I ever needed to know about business I learned on the sports field." From Behind The Scoreboard, I feature the sports stories that tell us much more than simply who won or lost. These personal and inspiring experiences of grade school, high school, college, other amateur and even pro athletes allow all of us to reflect a little more on what is important in life. ~ James C. Metzger, Chairman and CEO, The Whitmore Agency _______ He Had The Nerve To Play Again He is the oldest-living former Major League Baseball player. Eddie Robinson celebrates his 100th birthday this month. But, back during 1945, many people believed that Eddie would never again play baseball. A bone tumor compromised his leg. A delicate nerve suture was performed by doctors, and his leg was secured in a brace for many months. Then, with therapy, Eddie strengthened the leg. He made it back to the game, only to face several additional physical setbacks before cementing his position in the major leagues. Eddie played 13 seasons. In the majors, he wore the uniform of seven teams, including the Yankees. He even enjoyed a bit of the spotlight. Eddie is credited with the series clinching RBI in the 1948 World Series for the Cleveland Indians. That same year, he had a role in a memorable moment with Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium. The photo documents Ruth's final baseball appearance. He passed away two months later. Eddie is in the dugout, the second player from the right. He gave Ruth the bat that the ailing baseball icon used as a brace as he climbed the steps and walked onto the field. To learn more about the baseball life of Eddie Robinson and that moment frozen in time in the photograph, please click on my blog.