This Day in Black History: Oct. 9, 1974
After a successful career as an outfielder and base runner with 586 home runs under his belt, Frank Robinson became Major League Baseball's first African-American field manager on Oct. 9, 1974, when he took the helm of the Cleveland Indians.
On Oct. 10, Robinson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first playoff game at Nationals Park. In June 2012, at age 76, Robinson was named Major League Baseball's executive vice president of player development.
Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. The living legend also remains the only player of any race to win the MVP award in both the American and National Leagues.
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(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)