Major League Baseball’s first African-American manager, Frank Robinson, died in hospice following a long illness Thursday. He was 83.
The barrier-breaking Robinson managed four teams in 16 seasons, starting with a home run as a player-manager for the Cleveland Indians in 1975.
Robinson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 for his civil rights efforts fighting housing discrimination in Baltimore.
As a player, Robinson was the first to win the MVP award in both the American and National leagues. He also won the 1966 Triple Crown award for leading the American League in batting average, home runs and runs batted in.
The 14-time all-star played for five teams in 21 seasons. Three of those teams have retired his number and put up statues in his honor.
