Farewell, Mr. Robinson

After the embarrassing ass thumping the Buccos just took at the hands of the Phightin' Phils, I thought this morning's post would be an obituary of our season. Unfortunately, today's death notice is a memorial of a different kind, a remembrance of former Buc Bill Robinson who died yesterday at the age of 64.
Robinson was a big part of the Bucs 1979 World Series team
For those of us that remember the late 70's teams, we will all remember Robinson's importance to the 1979 World Series team. Robinson hit 24 homers and drove in 75 runs that season, as a not-quite full time LF/1B...basically a cog in the genius Stargell-Robinson-Milner platoon system devised by skipper Chuck Tanner. Robinson delivered some timely hitting during the stretch drive of that championship season. During the pivotal 4 game series with the Expos in late September, Robinson went 4 for 10 with a double, triple, homer, and 4 RBIs. The Bucs would win three out of four in that series, which ultimately led us to the division. Anyone who remembers that season, remembers that series, with all the drama and the fights with the Montreal natives up in the 600 level of Three Rivers. Robinson's 2-run, game tying homer in the bottom of the sixth of the series' opener was as big as any round tripper that season. He would follow that up with an RBI triple in the 7th.

Robinson made major contributions during the post season, as well. He batted cleanup in Game 7 of of '79 series, and scored the Bucs first run. He would later drive in a run by being hit a pitch.

We send all condolences to the Robinson family for the loss of this great professional.