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

Craig Robinson wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1977 after six seasons as a shortstop in the National League. He played his last game on October 1, 1977, at 29 years old, closing out a career that stretched from 1972 to 1977 with the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Robinson carved out a unique spot in baseball history during his Atlanta Braves years. He was one of just six players to start alongside Hank Aaron on those iconic nights in 1974 when Aaron tied and then broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. That alone makes Robinson’s career more memorable than his stats might suggest.

Robinson went from being a multi-sport athlete at Council Rock High School to making it in the majors. He made the most of his chances as a solid utility player. His best year came in 1974, playing 145 games as Atlanta’s regular shortstop and helping the Braves to their best record of the decade with 88 wins.

Career Overview and Retirement

Craig Robinson played professional baseball for six seasons from 1972 to 1977. He suited up for three Major League teams as a shortstop.

He finished his career after the 1977 season with the Atlanta Braves, which marked the end of his time in professional baseball.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Robinson made his Major League debut on September 9, 1972, at Veterans Stadium. He entered as a pinch-runner for Joe Lis in the seventh inning during a loss to the Cubs.

The Phillies had called up the 24-year-old from Triple-A Eugene after three seasons in their minor league system. Three days later, Robinson started his first game and notched his first career hit—a double off Jim McAndrew in the fourth inning.

That same game, his Eugene teammate Mike Schmidt made his major league debut. Schmidt, of course, went on to the Hall of Fame.

Early in his career, Robinson mostly backed up Larry Bowa in Philadelphia. He appeared in 39 games during the 1973 season after Bowa broke his ankle in July.

Robinson hit .226 that year and flashed some promise as a steady defender. The Phillies traded him to Atlanta on December 3, 1973, in exchange for Ron Schueler.

That trade finally gave Robinson a real shot at regular playing time in the majors.

Final MLB Season in 1977

Robinson’s last big league season came in 1977 with the Braves. He had rejoined Atlanta in June 1976 as part of a seven-player deal that sent Darrell Evans to the Giants.

That year, Robinson mainly filled in as a utility infielder and defensive sub. The Braves put him on the disabled list on July 21, 1977, but brought him back on September 1 for the season’s final month.

He finished his career with a .219 batting average over 292 games. Robinson never hit a home run in his six seasons but did drive in 42 runs and kept up solid defense at shortstop.

The Braves released him on March 30, 1978, officially ending his pro baseball career at 29.

Post-Retirement Endeavors

Not much is known about what Robinson did after leaving baseball in 1977. Unlike many former players, he didn’t jump into coaching, broadcasting, or front office work.

Robinson seems to have stepped away from the baseball spotlight entirely after he retired. His main tie to the sport now is his unique place in history—he’s one of only six players to start both games when Hank Aaron tied and broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974.

Since then, Robinson has kept his life private, and you won’t find many interviews or public appearances from him in the years since his MLB days.

MLB Teams and Playing Positions

Craig Robinson played for three Major League teams during his six-year career from 1972 to 1977. He mainly played shortstop and sometimes second base, with his most action coming as the Braves’ regular shortstop in 1974.

Philadelphia Phillies Period

The Phillies drafted Robinson in the 11th round of the 1970 amateur draft. He spent three years in the minors before making his MLB debut on September 9, 1972, at Veterans Stadium.

Robinson entered his first MLB game as a pinch runner. He played parts of two seasons with Philadelphia from 1972 to 1973.

His Phillies stint was short but important as his first taste of the majors. Throughout his career, Robinson batted and threw right-handed.

On December 3, 1973, the Phillies traded Robinson and Barry Lersch to the Atlanta Braves for Ron Schueler. That deal ended his time in Philadelphia.

Atlanta Braves Tenure

Robinson saw his most playing time with the Braves across two stretches. He first joined in 1974 and played through 1975, then came back for the 1976-1977 seasons.

The 1974 season was the high point of his career. Robinson played 145 games as Atlanta’s regular shortstop—half of his total career games.

That Braves team won 88 games and featured stars like 40-year-old Hank Aaron and 35-year-old Phil Niekro. Eddie Mathews managed most of that season.

Robinson played alongside Dusty Baker, who, like Robinson, was 25 at the time. That roster mixed veteran legends with younger talent.

He played his final MLB game on October 1, 1977, as a Brave. Robinson mostly stayed at shortstop during his time in Atlanta.

San Francisco Giants Stint

Between his Atlanta stints, Robinson played for the San Francisco Giants in 1975 and 1976. That marked the middle part of his career.

The Giants picked up Robinson during the 1975 season. He stayed mostly at shortstop while on the West Coast.

His time with the Giants was pretty brief compared to his Braves years. Robinson handled both shortstop and second base as needed.

That Giants stretch showed his flexibility in the infield. He filled in wherever teams needed steady defense.

After San Francisco, Robinson returned to Atlanta for his last two seasons in 1976 and 1977.

Statistical Highlights and Achievements

Craig Robinson’s six-year MLB career from 1972 to 1977 resulted in a .219 batting average across 292 games. His main value came from his defense at shortstop. His best year was 1974, when he played 145 games for the Braves.

Batting Average Across Seasons

Robinson’s batting average jumped around during his career. He peaked in 1976, batting .267 in 30 games while splitting the season between the Giants and Braves.

He showed some promise as a rookie in 1972 with a .200 average, though he didn’t play much. But 1975 was rough for him at the plate.

That year, Robinson managed just .065 in 39 games—only 3 hits in 46 at-bats. That was a steep drop from his 1974 season, when he hit .230 over a full year.

Consistency at the plate was always tough for Robinson. He never really became an offensive threat, with four of his six seasons ending below a .230 average.

Career At-Bats and Hits

Robinson totaled 718 at-bats and 157 hits in his MLB career. His 1974 season made up almost two-thirds of those numbers, with 452 at-bats and 104 hits.

He finished with 15 doubles, 6 triples, and no home runs. Robinson drove in 42 runs and scored 80 times.

In 1973, Robinson played 46 games and had 146 at-bats, collecting 33 hits for a .226 average with the Phillies.

His last season, 1977, was limited to 27 games and 29 at-bats. Robinson picked up 6 hits that year, ending with a .207 average.

Defensive Performance and Fielding

Robinson really made his mark with his glove at shortstop, playing most of his 292 career games there. His fielding percentage shifted from year to year. His best showing came in 1972, when he posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

In 1974, his busiest season, Robinson committed 29 errors in 1,176.2 innings. That left him with a .956 fielding percentage for the Braves.

The 1973 season was a bit rougher defensively. He made 10 errors in 337.1 innings at shortstop, leading to a .945 fielding percentage.

Robinson also had a cup of coffee at second base, playing 4 games there in 1973. He kept a 1.000 fielding percentage in that short stint, with 6 putouts and 3 assists.

Key Moments and Memorable Games

Craig Robinson’s career featured some memorable moments that showed off his defensive skills and his place in baseball history. His 1974 season with the Braves was his best offensively, while 1977 marked the end of his major league journey.

Standout Performances in 1974 Season

Robinson’s breakout came in 1974, starting 138 games at shortstop for Atlanta. He struggled early, hitting just .183 in April, but bounced back in May with six multi-hit games in the first half of the month.

He really caught fire at the end of the season, batting .359 over the final 13 games. Two games stand out from that hot streak.

On September 22, Robinson racked up three hits in a marathon 14-inning loss to Houston. Three days later, he collected another three hits as Atlanta beat the Dodgers 5-2.

That Dodgers game showed off his all-around game. Robinson handled all 11 defensive chances cleanly and sparked the offense. Between August 10 and the end of the season, he committed just three errors and posted a .980 fielding percentage.

He finished 1974 with a .230 average and 11 stolen bases. His 16 sacrifice hits put him among the National League leaders. He actually hit better on the road (.264) than at home (.187), but either way, Robinson helped the Braves to their best season of the decade with 88 wins.

Significant Plays in 1977

Robinson’s last big league season in 1977 saw him play just 27 games as a reserve. His final game came on October 1, 1977, against the Cincinnati Reds.

He didn’t do much offensively that year, but his defense stayed steady. Robinson mostly came in as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner.

The 1977 season closed out his six-year major league run. His role shifted from everyday starter to utility man, which kind of fit a guy whose glove outshined his bat.

That year marked big changes for baseball, too, with free agency taking off thanks to players like Andy Messersmith—who had been Robinson’s teammate in Atlanta.

Noteworthy Career Milestones

Robinson had a few memorable firsts in his career. He made his major league debut as a pinch-runner on September 9, 1972, at Veterans Stadium. Three days later, he doubled off Jim McAndrew for his first hit.

Historic Aaron Games:

• April 4, 1974: Started at shortstop when Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth’s record
• April 8, 1974: In the lineup when Aaron broke Ruth’s home run record

Robinson was one of just six players to start both games when Aaron tied and broke Ruth’s career home run record. He remembered Aaron’s record-tying homer: “The first time he swung the bat all year, off of Jack Billingham, it went out of the park.”

His career stats include a .219 batting average with 42 RBIs across 292 games. He played for three teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1972-1973), Atlanta Braves (1974-1975, 1976-1977), and San Francisco Giants (1975-1976).

In 2016, Robinson was inducted into the Bucks County Sports Hall of Fame. That honor recognized his contributions to baseball and his roots in the local community where he played high school sports.

Personal Background and Early Life

Craig Robinson was born in Abington, Pennsylvania on August 21, 1948. He grew up in a family where education mattered a lot.

His baseball journey kicked off with high school sports and kept going through college at Wake Forest University. Eventually, he landed in professional baseball after joining the Philadelphia Phillies farm system.

Birthplace and Family

Craig George Robinson came into the world on August 21, 1948, in Abington, Pennsylvania. He grew up as the only son, sandwiched between two sisters, Gail and Marianne.

Both of his parents taught in local schools and really shaped their community. His dad, George Robinson, worked as a teacher and principal at Lower Moreland High School, just outside Abington.

His mom, Anna (née McDaniel), also taught school. The Robinsons made such an impact that George Robinson was among the first people inducted into the Lower Moreland Hall of Fame.

Later, the school’s National Honor Society chapter got named after him. That says a lot about the family’s reputation.

When Craig reached middle school age, his family moved from Hatboro to Bucks County. That move put him in a new school district, which ended up shaping his athletic path.

Education and Early Baseball

Robinson went to Council Rock High School. There, he stood out in baseball, football, and basketball, even though he was only 5’10”.

He grabbed spots on the Lower Bucks County League First Team for both baseball and football. On the football field, he played as a flanker and defensive back.

People often thought Robinson looked stronger in football than baseball back then. Still, baseball turned out to be his ticket to the pros.

After graduating, Robinson picked Wake Forest University. He followed Council Rock alum and future big leaguer Bill Dillman down to North Carolina.

At Wake Forest, he played for Jack Stallings, one of the winningest college baseball coaches ever. Robinson earned first-team All-ACC honors in both his junior and senior years.

Path Through Minor Leagues

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Robinson in the 11th round of the 1970 amateur draft, 245th overall. For a Pennsylvania kid who grew up rooting for the Phillies, that must have felt pretty special.

He jumped straight from Wake Forest to Double-A, joining the Reading Phillies in the Eastern League. At Reading, he was one of the youngest regulars on the team.

Robinson struggled at the plate in his first pro season, hitting just .210 over 89 games. Still, he flashed solid defensive skills, posting a .977 fielding percentage at shortstop.

The next year, he moved up to Triple-A Eugene in the Pacific Coast League. There, he bumped his average up to .269 and played in all 145 games for the Emeralds.

He spent three seasons in Eugene from 1971 to 1973, grinding to improve his game. All-Star shortstop Larry Bowa blocked his path to the majors during those years.

Legacy and Influence on Baseball

Craig Robinson’s impact on baseball goes beyond his stats. He played a part in some historic moments and mentored teammates during his big league days.

He showed up during pivotal baseball history and set high defensive standards that left a mark on the sport.

Contribution to Teams

Robinson made his biggest mark with the Atlanta Braves in 1974. He started at shortstop for 138 games on a team that won 88—the Braves’ best record of the 1970s.

His defense mattered a ton that season. Robinson ranked fourth among National League shortstops in putouts and led the league with 16 sacrifice hits.

From August through September, he really sharpened his fielding, posting a .980 percentage. That steady glove helped Atlanta’s infield hold together during a crucial year.

Because Robinson kept things stable on defense, the Braves’ pitching staff, with Phil Niekro leading the way, could really shine. His work ethic and professional attitude set the bar for younger players.

Robinson’s focus on fundamentals and defensive positioning became an example teammates noticed throughout his career.

Impact on Fellow Players

Robinson influenced his teammates through his hands-on mentorship and steady professionalism in the clubhouse. He built strong relationships—Hank Aaron comes to mind, and Robinson once said, “a great guy and a super teammate.”

He and Mike Schmidt started working together back in the minors at Eugene. Robinson noticed right away that Schmidt had exceptional athletic abilities, even early on. He even said Schmidt might be “the best” athlete he’d ever played with.

As a shortstop, Robinson shared his defensive know-how with other infielders. He’d talk about positioning, game situations, and little details that made a real difference for his teammates.

During high-pressure moments, especially while Aaron chased that historic home run record, Robinson kept his cool. Teammates looked up to him for that. He just stayed focused, even with all the media buzz, and set an example for younger players on handling pressure without losing your head.