Marlins’ coach Robinson shares wisdom with SBAA
By: Ken Weingartner
To hit a baseball requires an aggressive attitude and confidence. Bill Robinson developed those qualities during a 16-year career in the major leagues. Now, he attempts to instill them in players of all levels as a hitting coach.
On Sunday, Robinson, the hitting coach for the Florida Marlins, was at Crossroads North Middle School to work with 24 township 8- and 9-year-olds, including one of his grandkids, Ty. South Brunswick coach Jim Cooney invited Robinson to the workout, one of 11 being held this winter to help players work on fundamentals prior to the season.
"I observed a lot when I was young," said Robinson, who retired during the middle of the 1983 season after a career played primarily with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. "I was pretty successful, and being attentive, that helped me. The day after I retired I was offered a job by the Phillies to work in the minors and got right into being a hitting coach.
"It’s been a Godsend. I’m the best, I feel. I have to feel that way. I have to exude confidence, otherwise players will see right through that. You have to show that you know what you’re talking about, and the players can see that."
On Sunday, Robinson spent 90 minutes with players, working with them as a group and individually. Robinson’s prowess as a hitting coach helped the Mets to the World Series title in 1986 and the Marlins to the championship in 2003. The Marlins set team records for batting average (.266) and runs (751) that season.
Some of Robinson’s coaching abilities stem from his background as a player. Originally signed as a highly regarded prospect by the Milwaukee Braves in 1961, he got his first extended playing time in the majors with the Yankees from 1967-69. He struggled and returned to the minor leagues until returning to the majors with the Phillies in 1972.
"My career covers the gamut," said Robinson, who does clinics throughout the offseason and has instructional videos on hitting. "I was a bum; I wasn’t a star right off the bat. I think that’s helped me to be able to relate to all players."
Robinson said he was on the verge of quitting baseball when the Phillies promoted him. He then became linked to one of the sport’s all-time greatest pitching performances, Steve Carlton’s 27-10 campaign in which he won 46 percent of Philadelphia’s 59 victories for the season.
Carlton enjoyed a 15-game win streak during the year, a streak that began when Robinson joined the team. Robinson immediately took on the role of standing in the batter’s box while Carlton warmed up prior to games, and became something of a good-luck charm.
"I figured it would help him and it would help me if I had to face a left-hander in the game," Robinson recalled, smiling. "He won that start and five days later we did it again. He kept winning and no one else had better even thought about standing in the batter’s box other than me."
Those sessions had a lasting positive influence upon Robinson, too. When he went to Pittsburgh in 1975, he had an advantage when facing Carlton and his famed slider.
"I wasn’t just standing up there, I was paying attention," Robinson said. "I knew all about that slider. We had some nice battles when I was with Pittsburgh."
Robinson’s career fully blossomed in Pittsburgh. He hit .304 with 26 homers and 104 RBI in 1977 and belted 24 homers with 75 RBI to help the Pirates win the World Series in 1979.
The World Series against the Orioles, in which Pittsburgh rallied from three games to one deficit, provided Robinson with his most memorable moment. The Pirates trailed Baltimore 1-0 in the sixth inning of Game 7 when a one-out single by Robinson ignited their comeback.
"Scott McGregor was pitching for the Orioles and he was really sticking it to us," Robinson said. "I got a base hit and Willie Stargell followed with a two-run homer. When Stargell came around to touch home plate, I was waiting and kind of jumped on him. That picture was on the front page of every paper the next day. I still have a copy of it adorning my walls at home."
With those memories safely tucked away, Robinson is now working on giving youngsters some future memories of their own.
"Probably the most important thing at this age is working on their stance, getting them comfortable in a proper stance," Robinson said. "A proper stance helps you in everything else. The main thing, really, is just trying to get all the kids on the same page as far as what they’re doing."
Following Sunday’s workout, Robinson received a South Brunswick baseball jacket, posed for photos and signed autographs.
"I learned a lot," player Freddie Strebeck said. "He’s a big baseball coach; I thought it was just really cool to meet him."

