Profile Text
Birth Name: Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr.
Date of Birth: May 18, 1937
Place of Birth: Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Date of Death: September 26, 2023
Place of Death: Owings Mills, Maryland, U.S.
Ethnicity: German, English, Scottish, distant Welsh
Brooks Robinson was an American professional baseball player, and broadcaster. A third baseman, he played his entire twenty three season-career with the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB); while they won two World Series titles. Brooks was regarded as one of the best defensive third basemen of all time. He was an 18-time All-Star, and won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards; he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. He played the most games by a player in MLB history in a single position, at 2,870, and held other MLB records at the time of his death. He was nicknamed “The Human Vacuum Cleaner,” “Mr. Hoover,” and “Mr. Oriole.” He was part of Opening Day Partners, which own several minor league teams.
Brooks was the son of Ethel Mae, who worked for Sears Roebuck & Company, and for the state controller’s office, and Brooks Calbert Robinson, who worked for Colonial Bakery in Little Rock, was a captain with the Little Rock Fire Department, and played for a semi-pro baseball team. He was married to Canadian flight attendant Constance Louise “Connie” Butcher, with whom he had four children. He was raised a Methodist, and converted to his wife’s Catholic religion.
Brooks’ paternal grandfather was Robert Bruce Robinson (the son of Samuel Calvert Robinson and Melissa Caroline Martin). Robert was born in Galla Rock, Pope County, Arkansas. Samuel was born in Pope County, Arkansas, the son of Samuel McClory Robinson and Ericksina Mary Ann. Melissa was born in Wayne County, Tennessee, the daughter of Samuel A. Martin and Rebecca Ann Lawson.
Brooks’ paternal grandmother was Bertha Teeter (the daughter of Paul Monroe Teeter and Dora Ellen Bowden). Bertha was born in Pope County, Arkansas. Paul was born in Pope, the son of Peter Napoleon Teeter and Mary Jane Parker.
Brooks’ maternal grandfather was August Denker (the son of August Denker and Marie Liebel). Brooks’ grandfather August was born in Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky, to German parents. Brooks’ great-grandfather August was the son of August Friedrich Denker and Thalke Margrethe Mete Harms.
Brooks’ maternal grandmother was named Mannia/Monima Etter Burbridge (the daughter of Jack Burbridge and Mary Ann). Mannia was born in Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky.
Sources: Genealogy of Brooks Robinson – https://www.findagrave.com
Genealogy of Brooks Robinson (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com