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York Revolution

Brooks Robinson To Be Honored As Greatest In York

June 11, 2008 - Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release


York, Pa): In the 50 years the Rawlings Gold Glove has been awarded to the best defensive players at each position in baseball, only three players in the game's history have amassed an eye-popping 16 Gold Gloves. Brooks Robinson, for whom the plaza outside of Sovereign Bank Stadium is named, is universally recognized as the greatest defensive third baseman of all-time. Such a distinction will be made official on Tuesday, July 1, before the York Revolution take on the Newark Bears at 7:07 p.m.

Robinson will be honored as the third baseman of the "All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team" at the home of the Revolution, where he is already immortalized with a statue on the Brooks Robinson Plaza. After a fan vote at "RawlingsGoldGlove.com", nine of the best defenders the game has ever seen were selected to the All-Time Gold Glove team in celebration of the award's Golden Anniversary. The team includes (Number of Gold Gloves, Years active in the Majors):

Pitcher, Greg Maddux (16, 1986-Present)

Catcher, Johnny Bench (10, 1967-1983)

First Baseman, Wes Parker (6, 1964-1972)

Second Baseman, Joe Morgan (5, 1963-1984)

Third Baseman, Brooks Robinson (16, 1955-1977)

Shortstop, Ozzie Smith (13, 1978-1996)

Outfielder, Willie Mays (12, 1951-1973)

Outfielder, Roberto Clemente (12, 1955-1972)

Outfielder, Ken Griffey, Jr. (10, 1989-Present)

The players selected to the team have exactly 100 Gold Glove Awards between them.

"Imagine this team taking the field," said Rawlings President and General Manager Robert Parish. "These players are certainly among the best ever ... and it's thrilling to see that the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove team transcends generations. Fans debating and reminiscing about the purest form of the game - defensive performance and excellence in the field - is good for baseball. Looking back over 50 years was a challenge."

The night's festivities will also include another installment of the Revolution's "All-You-Can-Eat With an Oriole" season-long promotion, featuring the guest of honor. Tickets to dine with Brooks Robinson at Sovereign Bank Stadium are priced at 27 dollars apiece, which includes a ticket to the game. A presentation of this legendary accomplishment will take place pre-game on the field featuring comments from Brooks, with other ceremonies and surprises planned for throughout the game. Rawlings Senior Vice President Mike Thompson will also be on hand to speak, and present Robinson as the greatest third baseman to ever step on a diamond. One of Robinson's Gold Glove Awards will also be on display for fans to enjoy and take photos of.

At the suggestion of Brooks Robinson, the ceremony held in York will be unique in that Sovereign Bank Stadium will be the only minor league stadium to participate in honoring a member of the all-time team. The three Cincinnati Reds on the list, Bench, Morgan and Griffey Jr. were all honored in a joint ceremony at Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark earlier this season. A life-size bronze statue of Robinson adorns the Brooks Robinson Plaza leading into Sovereing Bank Stadium. The artwork depicts Robinson in a York White Roses uniform, as Robinson began his professional career in the city in 1955 while the White Roses were affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.

Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, Robinson played 23 Major League seasons with the Orioles. Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner," Robinson was an American League All-Star 15 consecutive times, and won all 16 of his Gold Glove awards in succession. Born May 18, 1937 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Robinson was also 1964 American League Most Valuable Player, and ended his career with 268 home runs and 1,357 runs batted in, in 2,896 major league games. He led the 1970 Orioles to a 108-54 record and a World Series Championship, defeating Cincinnati four games to one.

Tickets for the July 1 game between the York Revolution and Newark Bears, and "All-You-Can-Eat With an Oriole" may be purchased online at www.YorkRevolution.com, or by calling 717-801-HITS.

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