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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson injured in fall, misses charity baseball game

But Robinson was not able to attend the annual Joe DiMaggio Legends Game. He was recovering from injuries sustained when witnesses said he fell backwards more than 6 feet off the back of a stage Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

During the pre-game dinner Friday night, players were sitting on an elevated stage with three rows of seats. Each row was higher than the one below it. Immediately behind the stage was a curtain with no wall or support behind it.

Robinson, 74, was sitting in the top row.

“After all the interviews were done, he leaned back thinking there was a wall behind the curtain, but there was no wall,’’ said Johnny Elias, a retired bullpen catcher for the Montreal Expos.

“He tumbled backwards and broke something. He could’ve broken his neck. He fell back about 6 to 8 feet. One of my friends who is a doctor went behind there to treat him.’’

Elias and other players today Robinson had two fractures in his rear shoulder area, including a broken clavicle.

“When he got up he figured he’d lean back to get up and there no wall behind him, just a curtain. Woomp — the chair went over,’’ Elias said.

Thanks, I guess, to Potter.

Repoz Posted: January 28, 2012 at 05:02 PM | 6 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: hall of fame, orioles

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1. Howie Menckel Posted: January 28, 2012 at 05:20 PM (#4048270)

I broke my clavicle in 8th grade - ran full-speed into a (nun's) parked car playing touch football in a parking lot outside the school. Had my eyes on the pass all the way, just like they teach you. Had a step on the defender, was about to catch it in the 'end zone', and then...... BLAM. Bounced backwards about 10 feet and landed flat on my back, which all the other players agreed was totally awesome. I guess I stuck the dismount, as the gymnasts say.

It was then decided that I should just 'block' for the rest of the game, since that really didn't have to consist of much more than sort of being in the way of an onrushing passer.

At the end of class (also the end of the school day that day), some girls noticed as we returned inside that I was white as a ghost (in shock). The other boys told the "cool" story to them, and one of the girls at least had the sense to tell a teacher.

Anyway, it's annoying. I never felt any pain because I never saw the car being in the way to allow for a "flinch" or panic. Gotta love shock. But I had to sleep upright in a lounge chair for a month, and had a wrap that kept my shoulders back. It's uncomfortable.

And it must suck even worse when you're 74.

2. Austin Posted: January 28, 2012 at 06:18 PM (#4048320)

Ouch. I hope he recovers without any complications.

3. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: January 28, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4048332)

I once got to spend about 90 minutes interviewing Brooks one-on-one, talking about all things baseball. Of all the experiences I had as a sportswriter, that was the absolute greatest, as he couldn't have been more gracious, kind and engaging.

Get well soon.

4. Rob_Wood Posted: January 28, 2012 at 06:58 PM (#4048350)

I remember Karch Kiraly falling off a stage after winning a volleyball tournament many years ago. Karch was younger and wasn't seriously hurt (though it appeared he was at the time), but it is really jarring to see such an incident. Of course, it is no picnic if you are the one falling either.

Ditto - get well soon Brooksie.

5. Walt Davis Posted: January 28, 2012 at 09:52 PM (#4048469)

I haven't had many occasions to be on a "table stage" but I have nearly killed myself in a similar way each time -- scooting a chair too far back or leaning back in one like Brooks or just walking along normal forgetting that you're not a floor. Fortunately I always catch myself in time. To put one several feet off the ground without putting some sort of railing up seems irresponsible to me.

6. GotowarMissAgnes Posted: January 29, 2012 at 08:19 AM (#4048623)

Of all the experiences I had as a sportswriter, that was the absolute greatest, as he couldn't have been more gracious, kind and engaging.

Everyone I know who has met Brooks says the same thing. Get well soon, Brooks.

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson injured in fall, misses charity baseball game

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