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

Floyd Robinson wrapped up his nine-year Major League Baseball career quietly in 1968, but his journey from a standout San Diego high school athlete to a steady outfielder in the majors is honestly a pretty compelling story about talent, grit, and a few close brushes with greatness.

He was born in Prescott, Arkansas, on May 9, 1935. Robinson chose baseball over a football scholarship at the University of Arizona, a decision that took him through four different teams and some pretty impressive personal achievements.

Robinson ended his MLB career with a .283 batting average, 67 home runs, and 426 RBIs across 1,011 games. He played mostly for the Chicago White Sox from 1960 to 1966, then had short runs with the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, and Boston Red Sox.

His best years came in the early 1960s, when he became one of the American League’s top hitters. He even had that wild six-hit game in 1962, joining a tiny group of just 35 AL players to ever do it.

Robinson hit left-handed and brought consistent performance and clutch hitting to the outfield, but a knee injury in 1967 cut his career short. From his breakout rookie season in 1961 to his last appearance on September 29, 1968, Robinson’s path really shows both the chances and the struggles pro athletes faced as baseball was changing.

Floyd Robinson’s MLB Career Overview

Floyd Robinson played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1968. He batted .283 with 67 home runs and 426 RBIs in 1,011 games.

He debuted with the Chicago White Sox during a heated pennant race and held down a starting spot for six seasons, then finished his career with a few other clubs.

Major League Debut and Early Impact

Robinson made his MLB debut on August 10, 1960, with the Chicago White Sox at age 24. The White Sox trailed the New York Yankees by just half a game when he joined, stepping in for outfielder Joe Hicks right in the middle of a playoff push.

His first game was against the Yankees in front of 51,000 fans. Robinson went 0-for-3, striking out once, grounding to short, and popping up to third against Art Ditmar.

“I was scared to death. I never saw a major-league game before I went to Chicago,” Robinson admitted later.

It took him over a month to notch his first big league hit. That moment finally came on September 18 in Detroit during a doubleheader—he went 2-for-3 in the first game and 1-for-3 in the second.

Even with the slow start, Robinson finished his rookie season with solid stats. He hit .283 with a .431 on-base percentage, walked 11 times, and scored seven runs, all in limited playing time.

Primary Teams and Positions Played

Robinson spent most of his career with the Chicago White Sox from 1960 to 1966. He started regularly for six seasons, averaging 143 games a year under manager Al Lopez.

Primary Position: Right Field
Secondary Positions: Left Field, Center Field

His best season was 1962, when he hit .312, drove in 109 runs, and led the AL with 45 doubles. In 1961, Robinson batted .310 with 69 runs and 59 RBIs, placing third in Rookie of the Year voting.

The White Sox traded Robinson to the Cincinnati Reds on December 15, 1966, for pitcher Jim O’Toole. In Cincinnati, he mostly pinch-hit, appearing in 21 games before a knee injury sidelined him on July 18, 1967.

Retirement in 1968

Robinson split his final MLB season between the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox in 1968. His last game was on September 29, 1968, against the Yankees, where he went 0-for-1.

That year ended his nine-year career. Robinson left the game with a .283 average, 929 hits, 67 home runs, and 426 RBIs, having played for four teams.

He was 32 when he played his last game. Robinson grew from a nervous rookie into a steady big league outfielder, and his career spanned the end of the original American League era, just before baseball expanded and changed.

Performance Highlights and Statistical Achievements

Floyd Robinson carried a .283 career batting average over nine seasons. His best work came in the early 1960s, when he topped .300 more than once.

In 1964, he posted a 4.3 WAR, his peak year. Across his career, his 67 home runs showed he had steady power for an outfielder.

Batting Average and Offensive Records

Robinson peaked at the plate with the White Sox. His highest average—.312—came in 1962, when he racked up 187 hits in 600 at-bats.

That 1962 season really stood out. Robinson led the league with 45 doubles, drove in 109 runs, and scored 89 times.

He kept things consistent at the plate, hitting .310 in 1961 and .301 in 1964. His career on-base percentage was .365, so he got on base a lot.

Robinson’s offensive numbers earned him some MVP votes. He finished 10th in 1962 and 15th in 1964. In 1961, he took third in Rookie of the Year voting.

Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Career Milestones

Robinson hit his peak WAR in 1964 with 4.3, making that his most valuable season for the White Sox. He followed up with 4.0 WAR in 1965, keeping up that level of play.

He totaled 17.8 WAR in his career. From 1962 through 1965, he averaged 3.7 WAR per year—definitely his prime.

Robinson hit some career milestones too. He finished with 929 hits and 426 RBIs. He scored 458 runs and stole 42 bases.

On a 162-game pace, Robinson averaged 149 hits, 68 RBIs, and 11 home runs. Those numbers show he was a steady offensive contributor.

Home Runs and Power Hitting

Robinson smacked 67 home runs in his big league career. His power peaked in 1965, when he hit 14 homers, and he hit 13 in both 1963 and 1964.

He posted a .409 slugging percentage, showing solid pop. His best slugging year came in 1962 at .475, right alongside his league-leading doubles.

He really had gap power. Robinson collected 140 doubles and 36 triples, piling up 1,342 total bases.

His power fit the style of 1960s baseball. Averaging 11 home runs per 162 games, he gave his teams reliable production from the outfield.

Chicago White Sox Years

Floyd Robinson played seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox from 1960 to 1966. He built his reputation as a dependable outfielder and a consistent bat.

His time in Chicago included standout rookie and sophomore years, putting him among the AL’s top hitters. He had some truly memorable moments at the plate too.

Contributions to Team Success

Robinson joined the White Sox in August 1960, right as the team chased the Yankees for the pennant. The Sox had won the AL in 1959 with Al Lopez managing, and Lopez stuck around for most of Robinson’s Chicago career.

His best seasons came in 1961 and 1962. In ’61, Robinson hit .310 with 69 runs and 59 RBIs, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. The next year, he was even better.

In 1962, Robinson put up a .312 average and 109 RBIs, ranking fourth in the AL. Leading the league with 45 doubles, he drove in runs game after game.

The White Sox came in second in 1964, just a game behind the Yankees. That was as close as Robinson got to the postseason in his career.

Notable Moments in Chicago

Robinson’s biggest single-game highlight came on July 22, 1962. He went 6-for-6—all singles—against the Boston Red Sox in a 7-3 White Sox win. That’s a stat line you just don’t see every day.

Another great moment? April 17, 1962, in Minneapolis. Robinson drove in seven runs in an 8-0 win over the Twins, picking up four hits, including a homer and two doubles.

His rookie debut sticks out for a different reason. Facing the Yankees on August 10, 1960, in front of 51,000 fans, Robinson struggled. “I was scared to death. I never saw a major-league game before I went to Chicago,” he admitted.

Robinson’s first big league hit took a while, not coming until September 18, 1960. But he made up for lost time, going 2-for-3 in the first game of a doubleheader against Detroit.

Recognition and Honors with the White Sox

Robinson finished 10th in AL MVP voting after his stellar 1962 season. His 109 RBIs and .312 average, along with his defense, got him plenty of attention from writers.

Even though he had a big year in 1962, Robinson didn’t make the All-Star team. Manager Al Lopez spoke up for him, saying, “He should have been on the All-Star team. The kid does everything well.”

Chicago sportswriters named Robinson the city’s top athlete after 1962. The Chicago Tribune pointed out that he drove in the winning run in 15 of the team’s 85 victories that year.

He earned praise for his glove too. In 1961, Robinson posted a .99118 fielding percentage, the highest among AL outfielders, though he just missed the games played minimum for official honors.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Floyd Robinson started his journey to the majors in rural Arkansas and then in San Diego’s high school baseball scene.

He stood out in several sports and even served in the military, which delayed his pro baseball start but didn’t stop him.

Growing Up in Prescott, Arkansas

Floyd Andrew Robinson was born on May 9, 1936, in Prescott, Arkansas. His father, George Robinson, worked as an auto mechanic and later ran his own repair shop.

The family stayed in Prescott until about 1945. When Floyd turned nine, they moved to San Diego, California. That move changed everything for his baseball future.

They settled in San Diego, and George Robinson opened a shop at 16th and Imperial. Growing up in a working-class family, Floyd learned the value of hard work early on.

San Diego High School Baseball Journey

At San Diego High, Robinson became a multi-sport star. He played baseball under coach Les Cassie, who had coached Ted Williams years earlier.

Robinson’s senior year was something else. He hit .508, the highest average in City Prep League history. That earned him Co-Player of the Year for All-Southern California.

He wasn’t just a baseball guy. In fall 1952, Robinson played starting quarterback for San Diego High’s football team. His top receivers included future MLB player Deron Johnson and AFL player Art Powell.

He got a football scholarship offer from the University of Arizona but turned it down. “My father and mother were both sick, and I had to go to work. Baseball work was the kind I could do best so I accepted,” he said.

On graduation day in 1954, Bill “Chick” Starr, owner of the Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres, signed Robinson personally for a $500 bonus.

Minor League Experience and Military Service

Robinson kicked off his professional career with the San Diego Padres right away. He played three games, went 3-for-6 at the plate, and handled all eight defensive chances. Then, on July 19, 1954, the team sent him to the Boise Pilots of the Class-C Pioneer League.

With Boise, Robinson hit .326 in 46 games. In 1955, he spent most of the season with the Salem (Oregon) Senators in the Class-B Northwest League. There, he batted .301 over 102 games.

Robinson returned to San Diego for the 1956 and 1957 seasons, playing in the Pacific Coast League. In 1956, he hit .271 with a .338 on-base percentage across 133 games.

His 1957 season looked even better, with a .279 average and a .370 OBP. He swiped 27 bases, which ranked second in the league, and led PCL outfielders with a .997 fielding percentage.

In March 1958, Robinson learned he’d be inducted into the military. Instead of joining the Army, he chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps and served two full years until March 1960.

During those years, Robinson played for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot team at Beeson Field. Playing there helped him keep his baseball skills sharp, even while he was away from pro ball.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Floyd Robinson made his mark on baseball with more than just stats. He showed up as a skilled defensive outfielder and a steady offensive threat. His time in the military really spoke to the kind of character he brought to the game.

Ranking Among Right Fielders

Robinson built a reputation as one of the most reliable right fielders in the American League during his prime with the Chicago White Sox. That .997 fielding percentage in 1957 led Pacific Coast League outfielders and highlighted defensive skills that translated well to the majors.

Between 1961 and 1964, Robinson consistently ranked among the top right fielders in several offensive categories. In 1962, he finished fourth in the American League with 109 RBIs. That same year, he led the league with 45 doubles, showing off his knack for hitting into the gaps.

Robinson’s .283 career batting average put him in good company among his right field peers. He got on base a lot, too—his .431 on-base percentage as a rookie in 1960 made him a valuable leadoff or table-setter.

Manager Al Lopez once called him “one of the best outfielders in either league,” praising his strong arm and speed.

Influence on Future Generations

Robinson’s journey to the majors after his military service inspired plenty of players juggling service and baseball. He spent two full years in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 to 1960, showing that military service didn’t have to mean the end of a baseball career.

Back in high school, Robinson set the bar high at San Diego High by hitting .508 his senior year, a City Prep League record. Coach Les Cassie, who had also coached Ted Williams, played a big part in shaping Robinson’s approach at the plate.

At just 5-foot-9, Robinson proved that size didn’t have to hold a player back. He heard people say he was “too short” for the majors, so his success meant even more to players who heard the same thing.

His work ethic and professionalism, especially after his time in the Marines, set a tone for dedication throughout the White Sox organization during the 1960s.

Post-Retirement Life and Personal Insights

After leaving pro baseball, Floyd Robinson shifted to a quieter life focused on family and community. He stayed close to the game by coaching and mentoring young players, all while building a successful career outside of baseball.

Activities After Leaving MLB

Robinson kept a hand in baseball after retiring in 1968. He worked as a hitting instructor at various baseball camps during the summers, sharing his knowledge with young players across the Midwest.

He also coached at the amateur level, taking on coaching duties for American Legion teams in Michigan. His background as a former major league outfielder made a difference for those developing players.

Outside of baseball, Robinson explored business opportunities. He worked in sales before opening a small sporting goods store that specialized in baseball equipment. Local teams came to rely on his store.

Robinson stayed active by playing golf and joining recreational softball leagues. He took part in charity golf tournaments that raised money for youth sports programs. These events helped him stay connected to the athletic community.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

After retiring from baseball, Robinson really leaned into his family life. He finally got the chance to spend more time with his wife and kids.

He showed up for family events he’d missed back when he was playing. That must have felt pretty good.

Back in Michigan, Robinson jumped into community activities. He volunteered with youth organizations and joined the board of a local recreation center.

Because people knew his name from baseball, he could raise money for community programs. That kind of support really made a difference.

Robinson also took part in old-timers’ games and alumni events. He’d show up at Chicago White Sox reunions, hanging out with former teammates and swapping stories.

These gatherings let everyone celebrate the team’s history while keeping old friendships alive. There’s just something special about that.

Even after all those years, Robinson stayed humble about what he’d accomplished in baseball. He talked to young people in his community about working hard and sticking with it.

His life after baseball showed the same dedication and values that helped him succeed as a player.