Aaron Robinson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Aaron Robinson put together a pretty solid eight-year run in Major League Baseball, spending his time as a catcher for four different teams from 1943 to 1951. He bounced around the league, starting with the New York Yankees, then moving on to the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and finally the Boston Red Sox, where he wrapped up his playing days.

Robinson finished his career in 1951 after Boston released him. He’d struggled that season, batting just .205, and that marked the end of his journey—610 games and a World Series ring to his name. Even with those late-career struggles, Robinson already had a reputation as a steady backstop, bridging the gap between Yankees legends Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra when he was in New York.

Coming from Lancaster, South Carolina, Robinson’s career really tells the story of a steady pro. He managed to keep his spot in the majors for nearly a decade, even with military service and a bunch of team changes thrown in. His path from a small Southern town all the way to the World Series, plus his role in helping develop future Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, gives a glimpse into the ups and downs that defined baseball in the 1940s and early ’50s.

Major League Baseball Career

Aaron Robinson spent eight seasons catching in the big leagues from 1943 to 1951. He played a key role bridging the gap between Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra on the Yankees, and he also suited up for three other teams in the American League.

New York Yankees Years

Robinson kicked off his MLB career with the Yankees in 1943, making his debut at age 27. He got into just one game before heading off for military service.

When he came back in 1945, Robinson finally got his shot. He played 50 games that season, hitting .281 with 8 home runs and 24 RBI. The next year, everything clicked.

In 1946, Robinson took over as the Yankees’ main catcher. He hit .297 with 16 homers and 64 RBI in 100 games. That .506 slugging percentage soared well above his career average.

Robinson made the All-Star team in 1947. That same year, he played in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, appearing in three games and going 2-for-10 with 2 runs scored.

The Yankees picked up four American League pennants while Robinson was there. His defense and timely hitting made him a valuable piece of those teams.

Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers Tenure

Before the 1948 season started, the Yankees traded Robinson to the Chicago White Sox. That deal ended up being a big one, as it helped open the door for Yogi Berra to shine.

Robinson played 98 games for the White Sox in 1948, putting up a .252 average with 8 home runs and 39 RBI. His OPS dipped to .724 as he tried to adjust to a new team and league.

Detroit grabbed Robinson for the 1949 season. He had one of his better years there, hitting .269 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI. He also drew 73 walks, showing a more patient approach at the plate.

In 1950, Robinson’s average slipped to .226. Still, he kept drawing walks—75 in 107 games—and his on-base percentage stayed solid at .388.

Robinson’s veteran leadership helped guide Detroit’s younger players. His knowledge of American League pitching definitely came in handy for the Tigers’ staff.

Final Season With the Boston Red Sox

Robinson split his last season in 1951 between Detroit and Boston. The Red Sox picked him up mid-year, hoping he’d add some catching depth for a playoff push.

He played 36 games for Detroit, hitting .207 and notching zero home runs. By then, he had shifted into more of a backup and mentor role.

After the trade, Boston used Robinson in 26 games. He batted .203 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI for the Red Sox. The team counted on his experience in close games.

At 36, Robinson just didn’t have the same skills anymore. He played his final game on September 28, 1951, facing his old team, the Yankees.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Robinson finished his career with a .260 batting average over 610 games. He hit 61 home runs and drove in 272 runs during those eight seasons.

His best year came in 1946 with the Yankees. That season, he posted an .894 OPS and even got some MVP votes, finishing 16th.

Career Totals:

• Games: 610
• Hits: 478
• Home Runs: 61
• RBI: 272
• OPS: .787

Robinson only ever caught—he never played any other position in the majors. He suited up for four different American League teams.

Pitchers respected his defensive skills. His game-calling and strong arm made him a trusted catcher throughout his career.

Key Moments and Notable Games

Robinson’s career had some memorable moments that really defined his reputation as a reliable catcher. His work in the 1947 World Series helped the Yankees win it all, and that All-Star nod was a nice recognition of his skills during a time of big change for the team.

1947 World Series Performance

Robinson played a big part in the Yankees’ seven-game World Series win over the Dodgers. He started twice as the main catcher, including the crucial Game Seven at Yankee Stadium.

In Game Five at Brooklyn, Robinson drew a two-out walk off Rex Barney and came around to score the game’s first run. The Yankees edged the Dodgers 2-1 with Frank Shea tossing a complete game.

Game Seven really showed off Robinson’s defense. With Eddie Stanky on first in the first inning, Robinson threw him out trying to steal second by such a wide margin the ump barely bothered with the call.

Key Game Seven contributions:

• Walked in the second inning, sparking a Yankees rally
• Added an insurance run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly
• Helped nail down the 5-2 win and the championship

That World Series turned out to be Robinson’s last games in Yankees pinstripes before he got traded to Chicago.

All-Star Selection and Achievements

In 1947, Robinson made his only All-Star team, capping off his best season with the Yankees. He handled the pitching staff well and shared catching duties with a young Yogi Berra.

That year really marked Robinson’s peak as a big league catcher. He caught 74 games, leading all Yankees catchers.

His standout season actually came in 1946, when he led regular Yankees hitters with a .297 average. That was no small feat, considering teammates like Joe DiMaggio and Charlie Keller.

He finished that year with 16 home runs and 64 RBIs. His .506 slugging percentage was the highest of his career.

Memorable Plays and Rivalries

One of Robinson’s most memorable games happened on July 11, 1946, against Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians. He homered in back-to-back innings off the Hall of Famer, including his lone career grand slam.

Robinson was also part of a play Tigers fans couldn’t forget. On September 24, 1950, in a tied game against Cleveland, Luke Easter hit a ball to first baseman Don Kolloway with the bases loaded.

Kolloway stepped on first and fired home. Robinson, with his view blocked, didn’t see his teammate touch the bag and thought the force was still on at home.

Bob Lemon slid across the plate with the winning run because Robinson didn’t apply the tag. That mental lapse cost Detroit a crucial win in their pennant race.

Robinson also had days where his bat carried the team, like his three-hit, five-RBI game against the White Sox in August 1947.

Role as Catcher and Team Dynamics

Robinson acted as the bridge between Yankees legends Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra, taking on the main catching duties during a pivotal time. His defense and leadership helped the Yankees to the 1947 World Series title, and he mentored younger players along the way.

Transition Between Hall of Fame Catchers

Robinson’s career pretty much fit right between two Hall of Fame Yankees catchers. When Bill Dickey stepped back from catching regularly in 1946, Robinson moved into the main role.

The handoff wasn’t instant. Robinson split time with Dickey early in 1946. When Joe McCarthy quit as manager and Dickey took over, Robinson became the starter.

By 1947, Robinson had competition from Yogi Berra, who was just 21 at the time. The Yankees rotated catchers that year. Robinson started 74 games behind the plate, more than anyone else.

Sherm Lollar and Gus Niarhos also got some time behind the dish. Robinson worked with those guys, helping set things up for Berra’s future.

The Yankees eventually decided to go with youth. In February 1948, they traded Robinson to the White Sox in a deal that brought pitcher Eddie Lopat to New York.

Defensive Skills and Leadership

Robinson brought some serious defensive chops to the catcher position. At 6’2″ and 205 pounds, he had the size to handle the job.

His throwing arm stood out. In Game Seven of the 1947 World Series, Robinson threw out two Dodgers runners trying to steal second. That first throw was so on the money, the ump barely had to make the call.

In 1949 with Detroit, Robinson threw out over 40 percent of base stealers. That was well above average for catchers back then.

He was known for being vocal. Robinson would sometimes shout, “Where was that ball?” when he disagreed with the ump’s calls.

His game-calling helped the Yankees pitching staff during their title run. Robinson worked well with both veterans and younger pitchers in 1947.

Relationships With Teammates and Coaches

Robinson played a big mentoring role for Yogi Berra in 1947. Bill Dickey did most of the technical coaching, but Robinson was there for the daily guidance.

The relationship with Berra stayed professional, even though they were competing for playing time. Both guys knew their place in the Yankees system.

Robinson got along well with Yankees manager Bucky Harris during their championship season. Harris trusted Robinson enough to start him in both Game Five and Game Seven of the Series.

He showed the same kind of positive relationships later in his career. In Detroit, Robinson worked well with veteran pitchers and helped out young arms like Ted Gray and Art Houtteman.

The Tigers brought in Robinson for his experience and leadership. Manager Red Rolfe, who’d played with Robinson on the Yankees, appreciated his approach to the game.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Aaron Robinson’s path from a small Southern town to the big leagues ran through the Yankees farm system, but military service interrupted his progress. He started out at third base before switching to catcher, and World War II delayed his MLB debut.

Family Background and Childhood

Aaron Andrew Robinson was born June 23, 1915, in Lancaster, South Carolina. It’s a small town about an hour south of Charlotte, North Carolina. His parents, Charles Augustus “Gus” Robinson and Jennie (McAteer) Robinson, both came from Scotch-Irish families who’d settled in the Carolinas.

Robinson grew into a big, strong guy—six foot two, 205 pounds. That size made him a force in school sports and on the sandlots.

As a kid, Robinson showed good instincts and flexibility on the field. He played both catcher and third base, showing off the defensive skills that would catch scouts’ eyes later. Being a lefty hitter with a strong arm didn’t hurt either—major league teams loved those traits.

His mother Jennie lived a long life, reaching 104 and outliving Aaron by 25 years. His dad Gus passed away in 1953 at age 69.

Minor League Development

The New York Yankees signed Robinson in 1937, right before he turned 22. He entered professional baseball already married—he wed Myrtle McManus on February 6, 1937.

They eventually had six kids together.

Robinson started his pro journey with the Snow Hill Billies of the Class D Coastal Plain League in North Carolina. During his first two seasons in 1937 and 1938, he played third base.

He impressed the Yankees’ farm system by consistently hitting above .300 at nearly every level.

After 1938, the Yankees switched Robinson from third base to catcher. That move really shaped his future in the majors.

He adapted pretty quickly, showing off a strong arm and the baseball smarts needed for catching.

By 1942, Robinson reached the International League with the Newark Bears. He became their regular catcher and finally got called up to the majors in 1943.

Robinson made his MLB debut on May 6, 1943. He struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance against the Boston Red Sox.

Military Service During World War II

World War II interrupted Robinson’s early major league career right away. He played only one game with the Yankees in 1943, then enlisted in the Coast Guard.

That commitment kept him away from pro baseball for almost two full seasons.

Many athletes served in the military during World War II. Robinson’s Coast Guard service was pretty typical for the time, when players paused their careers to serve.

The war really shook up rosters across all major league teams.

Robinson got his military discharge in mid-1945 and came back to the Yankees at the end of July. He played in 50 games for the rest of the 1945 season and batted .281 with eight home runs.

He shared catching duties with Mike Garbark as he got back into the swing of pro baseball after his service.

When Robinson returned, he showed he hadn’t lost his baseball skills. The Yankees valued his catching and saw him as a key part of their post-war plans.

Retirement in 1951 and Post-Playing Years

Aaron Robinson’s last major league season with the Boston Red Sox wrapped up an eight-year career that spanned four teams and included a World Series championship.

After retiring from pro baseball, Robinson moved into managing minor league teams and found real success before illness ended his life too soon.

Final MLB Season and Retirement Decision

Robinson’s 1951 season with the Boston Red Sox ended up being his last. By the time he joined the Red Sox, his batting average had dropped to just .207.

The 36-year-old catcher played his final major league game on September 28, 1951. His career statistics show a .260 batting average across 610 games over eight seasons.

Robinson racked up 478 career hits in the majors. He finished with 61 home runs and 272 runs batted in.

His defense stayed solid throughout his career, ending with a .990 fielding percentage as a catcher.

He decided to retire after several seasons of declining offensive numbers. Younger catchers took over starting spots, and his role shrank.

Life After Baseball

Robinson stayed in baseball after retiring as a player in 1951. He started managing minor league teams and found a knack for it.

In 1954, he managed the Fayetteville Highlanders to the Carolina League championship. That early success really showed his ability to lead and develop young players.

Later, he managed the Winston-Salem Twins and kept working with up-and-coming talent in the minors.

Robinson picked up another championship as manager of the Shelby Colonels. The team won the 1961 Western Carolina League title, even though they had a losing record in the regular season.

His managerial career proved he really understood baseball strategy and player development. His experience as a major league catcher helped him guide younger players.

Sadly, illness cut Robinson’s post-baseball life short. He died on March 9, 1966, at age 50 from testicular cancer in his hometown of Lancaster, South Carolina.

Legacy and Recognition

Robinson holds a quirky statistical distinction in baseball history. According to Baseball-Reference, he has the most career wins above replacement of any position player who never stole a base.

He bridged the gap between two Hall of Fame catchers for the Yankees, fitting right between Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra.

The 1947 season was his high point. He made the All-Star team as a reserve and won a World Series with the Yankees.

MacGregor even produced a catcher’s mitt in his honor in 1953—the “Aaron Robinson, MacGregor G176” model, made for just one year.

Robinson played in three games during the 1947 World Series. He started games 5 and 7, picking up two hits in 10 at-bats as the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers.

His trade history includes one of baseball’s most lopsided deals. The 1948 trade sent Robinson to Detroit for Billy Pierce, and it really worked out for the White Sox—Pierce had a long, productive career, while Robinson retired by 1951.

Personal Life and Historical Context

Off the field, Aaron Robinson’s life was shaped by family responsibilities and personal challenges. His career spanned a crucial era in baseball during the 1940s, right as the sport changed with integration and the post-World War II era.

Family and Personal Relationships

Robinson married Myrtle McManus on February 6, 1937, just before his pro baseball journey began. They had six children: Sybil, Joanne, Mary Ann (who sadly died in infancy in 1941), Gerald, Charles, and David.

His family life wasn’t always easy. The couple eventually divorced, and Robinson later married Eva Ransom.

His mother, Jennie (McAteer) Robinson, lived an incredibly long life—she reached 104 and outlived her son by 25 years.

Robinson’s military service interrupted his baseball career when he joined the Coast Guard in 1943. He served for two years before coming back to the Yankees in 1945.

That break took away some of his prime playing years as a catcher.

After baseball, Robinson stayed involved as a minor league coach and manager. He died of cancer on March 9, 1966, at age 50 in Lancaster, South Carolina.

Impact on the Game and Cultural Significance

Robinson played through a pivotal time in baseball history. He took the field during World War II and into the early days of baseball’s integration.

When he joined the 1947 Yankees, his impact went beyond stats. He actually mentored a young Yogi Berra, who, as we all know, ended up in the Hall of Fame as a catcher.

He never managed to steal a base in his entire career—2,189 plate appearances, not one swipe. That odd record stood until 1965, when catcher Russ Nixon finally topped it. Back then, teams valued Robinson’s defense way more than his speed, which was pretty normal for catchers.

Robinson found himself involved in some trades that really changed things for other teams. The White Sox got Eddie Lopat by trading Robinson away. Detroit, on the other hand, gave up Billy Pierce, who’d become a star, just to get him.

His career batting average, .260, actually looked pretty solid for a catcher in the 1940s. Teams at the time really cared more about defense than offense behind the plate.