Factory Of Sadness
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Indians Home Opener: 3 of the best moments from past seasons

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 24: Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the third inning of the Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on July 24, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Royals 2-0. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 24: Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the third inning of the Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on July 24, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Royals 2-0. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 8: Manager Frank Robinson #20, of the Cleveland Indians, talks to the press after the Opening Day game on April 8, 1975 against the New York Yankees at Municipal Stadium in Clevceland, Ohio. Robinson is the first black manager in baseball history and hit a home run in the Indians victory. (Photo by: Ron Kuntz Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 8: Manager Frank Robinson #20, of the Cleveland Indians, talks to the press after the Opening Day game on April 8, 1975 against the New York Yankees at Municipal Stadium in Clevceland, Ohio. Robinson is the first black manager in baseball history and hit a home run in the Indians victory. (Photo by: Ron Kuntz Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

Frank Robinson homers in first at-bat as manager

Frank Robinson made himself into a Cleveland legend when he became not just a player and manager with the Indians, but also the first black man to manage a Major League baseball team. His time as both were not anything particularly impressive. He was at the end of his career as a player, and only had 185 at-bats during his time as the team’s manager.  In 100 total games for the Indians, Robinson only hit .226, with 14 home runs and 39 RBI’s

As a manager for the Indians, he went 186-189 and was fired early into his third season with the team. He had a Hall of Fame-worthy career, just didn’t find much success in Cleveland. He did, however, contribute to one of the best Opening Days in the history of the organization. The year was 1975 and the good guys opened up the season with a one-game homestand against the Yankees.

There were 56,204 people in attendance that day and Robinson stepped into the batter’s box in the first inning against the Yankees’ Doc Medich.  Drawing the count even to 2-2, Medich threw a fastball low-and-away that Robinson was able to snag and send it soaring over the left-field wall to put the Indians up 1-0.  The fans at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium went bonkers.

Afterward, Robinson was asked about the home run, as he was not just another player on the team but the first black manager as well. Robinson told the reporter what a thrill it was. (Via MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince)

"Any home run is a thrill. But I’ve got to admit, this one was a bigger thrill."

Robinson celebrated the home run in a way that only a legend could, with a hamburger, a can of Coca-cola, and apparently a slice of cake. Because why not.

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