Robin Evan Roberts (1926 - 2010)

Born 30 Sep 1926 in Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Died 6 May 2010 at age 83 in Temple Terrace, Hillsborough, Florida, United States

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Biography

Robin Roberts is Notable.

Robin Evan Roberts was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who pitched primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies (1948–61). He spent the latter part of his career with the Baltimore Orioles (1962–65), Houston Astros (1965–66), and Chicago Cubs (1966). Roberts was known for his smooth, seemingly effortless motion and through 19 major league seasons, he displayed an outstanding fastball and extraordinary control and stamina. He won at least 20 games every season from 1950 to 1955 and led National League pitchers five times in complete games, five times in innings pitched, four times in victories and twice in strikeouts. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.

Robin Roberts was the fourth of five children born to Thomas Roberts and Sarah Meadows Thomas. Thomas and Sarah emigrated from Great Britain where they were married before coming to the United States. Apparently, Norah was Sarah's daughter from another relationship and Thomas raised her as his own. According to the 1930 US Census, Thomas was a janitor at a meter works factory. By 1940 his position within the company had changed to a night foreman. Sarah was a homemaker. Robin's sister Joan was listed as a typist in a finance company in 1940 and his step-sister Norah was a typist at the same meter works factory as Thomas.

Robin enlisted in the Army Air Corp in March, 1945. He served for the duration of World War II.

Robin made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on June 18, 1948. In 1950, as a part of the Phillies "Whiz Kids" he led the team to it's first National League Pennate in 35 years. He retired from Baseball in August, 1966. After spending a season as a color commentator for the Phillies broadcast network, Robin coached the University of Southern Florida's baseball team from 1977-1985, leading it to it's first NCAA Tournament in 1982.

Robin was also active in the founding of the MLB Players Union and was instrumental in hiring Marvin Miller as it's first executive director in 1966.

Robin married Mary Ann Kalnes Roberts and they had 4 sons. His son Dan followed in his father's footsteps and coach the Army baseball team and works with the Phillies organization.

Robin died of natural causes in 2010. He was 83.

"For two generations of fans, he symbolized the best in athletic competition. Day after day he went out there and threw that high, hard one down the middle, a marvelously coordinated man doing his job. If he had pitched for the Yankees he might have won 350 games." - Author James A. Michener

Sources

• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Roberts_(baseball)

"United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X3MF-FJZ : 8 December 2015), Robin Evan Roberts in entry for Thomas Roberts, 1930.

"United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWZ2-MSL : 17 May 2014), Robin Evan Roberts in household of Thomas Roberts, Springfield Township, Sangamon, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 84-101, sheet 5B, family 106, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 887.

"United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GC-RPN : 5 December 2014), Robin E Roberts, enlisted 15 Mar 1945, Ft Sheridan, Illinois, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 126323, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

Robin Roberts Dies at 83; Led Phillies’ Whiz Kids to Pennant By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN MAY 6, 2010, New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/sports/baseball/07roberts.html?_r=0

"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VS4W-F4F : 20 May 2014), Robin Evan Roberts, 06 May 2010; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).