Frank Robinson Forever Memorialized at Camden Yards

Intense and intelligent, confident and cantankerous, fiery and frank.

But when Frank Robinson became the first of six legendary Orioles to have their likeness captured in a larger-than-life sculpture at Camden Yards, the Hall of Famer was truly humbled.

"It is a tremendous honor, it's something you don't think about and when you hear about it and that they are going to do it for you, it takes a while for it to absorb,” Robinson said after his sculpture was unveiled in the newly refurbished Garden of the Greats in the ballpark’s picnic area during a pregame ceremony on April 28, 2012.

Robinson is depicted at the end of his swing, the bat in his left hand trailing behind him, as he seemingly tracks one of the 49 home runs he hit during the 1966 season, the first of six years he played for the Orioles – perhaps the homer to win the final game of the World Series that season, or maybe the one against the Cleveland in May that year, the only ball to ever be hit completely out of Memorial Stadium, the one that was marked by a banner saying, simply, “HERE.”

After acquiring Robinson from the Cincinnati Reds in December 1965, the Orioles went to four World Series between 1966 and 1971, winning two championships. The only man ever to play, coach, manage and serve as a front office executive for the ballclub, he spent 19 years in all in the Orioles organization, including winning American League Manager of the Year honors in 1989.

Robinson, like each of the six players honored in the Orioles Legends Celebration Series, was able to view and make comments and suggestions on the nearly 2-foot clay maquette version of the sculpture. But he did not see the final, full-size bronze statue until its unveiling, before the Orioles game against Oakland.

Robinson’s sculpture was first by virtue of his No. 20 being the first number retired by the Orioles, in 1972. The sculpture unveilings continue with pregame ceremonies dedicated to Earl Weaver (June 30), Jim Palmer (July 14), Eddie Murray (August 11), Cal Ripken (September 6) and Brooks Robinson (September 29).

In addition to many former teammates and players he managed and worked with in his years with the Orioles, the special guests who came to Camden Yards for Frank’s sculpture unveiling included many members of the commissioner’s office, for whom Robinson worked, including Joe Torre; former National League President Leonard Coleman; Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson; and Braves’ great Henry Aaron, who entered the Hall of Fame with Frank in 1982.

“I felt all right going up there until they unveiled it and pulled the cover off,” Robinson said. “Then I was really taken aback, really. I’ve seen other statues and things that didn’t look like the individual, not close to what they were or what they looked like. This almost looked like I was standing up there myself, just about. He [Toby Mendez, the sculptor for all six figures] did a tremendous job.”

Robinson said having a statue that will last for lifetimes “ranks right up there with the Hall of Fame.”

Thousands of fans packed the picnic area and nearby viewing areas, arriving hours before game time to see the unveiling and show their appreciation for the player who turned the Orioles from good to great. And Robinson was just as appreciative.

“This is a very special place in my heart, Baltimore,” Robinson told the crowd. “Always has been, and it always will be. And you, the fans, have made it that way. Whenever I come here, you make me feel welcome.”

Now, with his sculpture set in the middle of the Garden of the Greats, Frank Robinson will always be “HERE.”