Baseball-Orioles' star third baseman Brooks Robinson dies at 86

Brooks Robinson, a virtuoso third baseman who was known as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" because of his defensive prowess at the position during a Hall of Fame career spent entirely with Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles, died on Tuesday. He was 86.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson. An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball,” the Orioles said in a statement posted on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Considered by many to be the greatest defensive third baseman the game has ever seen, and adored by fans for both his on-field exploits and his humble and gracious demeanor, Robinson helped Baltimore advance to the postseason six times and win a pair of World Series titles.

Robinson won 16 Gold Gloves as the best at his position and was named an All-Star 18 times. But it will be his stellar play at third base during the 1970 World Series against the powerful Cincinnati Reds for which will be remembered by most fans.

Robinson cemented his place in MLB's annals during that "Fall Classic", making one dazzling play after another at the position known as the hot corner. He also batted .429 with a pair of home runs to lead the Orioles to a 4-1 series win.

"I just happened to be in the right spot in that series. I tell people that I played 23 seasons and I never did have five games in a row like I did in that World Series," Robinson once told MLB.com. "It was a once in a lifetime five-game series for me and it just happened to be in a World Series."

In 1964, Robinson was named the American League's Most Valuable Player after putting up the finest offensive season of his