Brooks revisited
Talked to Brooks Robinson on the phone for a couple of minutes today and am planning a more in-depth column on him in the near future, but he expanded a little on the treatment program that he went through to deal with his prostate cancer.
He underwent an eight-week program of radiation therapy (five days a week) and said that he came through it without any unusual fatigue or other problems, which says something about his constitution at 71 years young. Brooks will turn 72 on Monday.
The message he wants to help get out is that it's important for men to have regular screenings, since the disease is so common among men in middle age and older.
"I went to an event recently and heard Jeff Torborg say he was dealing with it...and Tony Gonzalez (the baseball player, not the NFL tight end),'' Robinson said. "Just about anybody can be at risk."
Of course, Brooks (far right) never slows down. The American Cancer Society luncheon at which he revealed his November diagnosis and six-month course of treatment was one of two events he took part in on Wednesday. He also attended a Hall of Fame function in Washington last night.
The luncheon was not specific to prostate cancer. Robinson was helping to honor donors and participants in the American Cancer Society's Navigator program, which partners with hospitals to put "navigators" in place to help cancer patients get the help and answers they need as they embark on their treatment programs. If you want to learn more or make a donation, go to www.cancer.org.
Robinson remains very active in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, of which he is president, and is a major player in Opening Day Partners, the group led by Peter Kirk that operates minor league teams in York and Lancaster, Pa, as well as Southern Maryland.
Sun file photo by Lloyd Fox
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Comments
Brooks Robinson. The greatest Oriole ever. Too bad PA can't find a way to get along with him. We should have a bronze statue of him, maybe out on the walkway by Lot B/C. And Cal. It would be the Bronze Walkway. Free the Birds and it could happen. Until then, not likely. IMO.
Posted by: BA Ray | May 13, 2009 1:10 PM
Okay, it takes more than my wife of 30 years nagging - if Brooks (still my all time favorite sports figure by a wide margin) says "do it" then I'll do it!
Posted by: Old Bird Fan Mike | May 13, 2009 2:06 PM
Why isn't Brooks more a part of promoting the Orioles? He is one of the greatest Orioles of all time, not to mention a great all around guy. I hear about him doing all kinds of other baseball related things, but nothing with the Orioles.
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Pete's reply: Got a couple hours?
Posted by: John | May 13, 2009 2:14 PM
The man has always been my hero, that is why my son's middle name is Brooks.
God Bless him and may he live a long and happy life.
Posted by: Leo Mangini | May 13, 2009 2:42 PM
Pete,
Brooks was my hero from childhood through early adulthood.
I'm guessing that you and I are about the same vintage, so given that and what you know of Brooks' character, you can probably guess the level of esteem he holds in my heart. I was a couple of "rows" back on the lawn at Cooperstown in July, 1983.
I'd like the opportunity to directly express my admiration and the convey the positive influence that he had on me, as well as to offer my wishes for his continuted good health. Do you have a mailing or email address that would be appropriate for me to use?
Thanks.
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Pete's reply: Not a direct one, but you could send him a note through the York Revolution Web site, I think.
Posted by: Jeff | May 13, 2009 2:53 PM
God Bless Brooks Robinson - THE classiest and probably best true ORIOLE ever!! I used to take Brooks and his sons goose hunting here on the shore. Here's a little "Brooks Robinson" story that shows the kind of man he is. My wife cooked and fed him home made crab cakes for lunch one day during a break from a hunt. He raved about the crab cakes and asked who had made them? I told him my mother had and he asked/insisted that we drive the 10 miles to her house to thank her in person! My mother was a die hard Orioles fan and BIG Brooks Robinson fan. When he knocked on the door, she answered and was left near speechless that BROOKS himself was standing in her doorway, thanking her for the crab cakes! She nor I, ever forgot his kindness! Long live Brooks Robinson - a great man & Maryland Legend!
Posted by: shoreman | May 13, 2009 2:55 PM
I don't understand why everybody keeps saying how bad the Glenn Davis trade was. When that trade was made I don't remember ANYBODY saying it was the worst trade the Orioles ever made. If Davis doesn't get hurt it would have been a great trade. Schilling was a head case who hadn't done a thing yet and Finley was the exact type of player as Brady Anderson so he was expendable.
The worst trade the O's ever made was trading Frank Robinson and Pete Richert to the Dodgers for 3 nobodies.
Posted by: TomC From Frederick | May 13, 2009 3:44 PM
Brooks is a great example of ball players who give back to the community that loved them for many years.
On another matter it sure seems that we are watching a caretaker manager who has no clue about managing a pitching staff and McPhail will deep six him when things start to jell in the near future. This idea of removing a pitcher like he did Koji is crazy. Nolan Ryan in Texas has the right approach - if they are going good let them go - old timers even threw BP on their off days - they baby these guys more than high school coaches do!
Posted by: geoff smoot | May 13, 2009 4:58 PM
TomC -
At least Frank was getting old (36) when the O's traded him to the Dodgers. And at least Doyle Alexander was a part of that deal, even if he was only with the O's for a few years.
The worst trade the O's ever made was when they sent another member of the 500 Club to the Dodgers for three nobodies.
Eddie Murray for Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell. Worst. Trade. Ever.
Posted by: b | May 13, 2009 5:02 PM
Just a question. If the public wants to pay for a statue of Brooks to be put at the Yard, can we?
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Pete's reply: Not necessarily. I believe Orioles ownership has veto power over any change in the ballpark.
Posted by: Skip | May 13, 2009 5:21 PM
No, the worst O's trade was sending Eddie Murray to the Dodgers for virually nothing. Eddie could have been a life-time Oriole like Brooks and Cal. In my humble opinion, Eddie was one of the best clutch hitters of all time and he hit for power, average and even won a gold glove or two, I believe. He wasn't a speedster but he ran the bases well and made few mistakes there(unlike our current squad!).
Posted by: TerryP | May 13, 2009 6:27 PM
Brooksie...What a gentleman. Baltimore loves you!
Posted by: Joe L | May 13, 2009 11:08 PM
once again dave allows a game to get
away. with his poor match ups. why is j. walker still on this team. let alone
being allowed to pitch. is his contract
so large that the orioles can't cut him.
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