By WFAN.com
Baseball lost one of its all-time greats Thursday afternoon with the passing of Frank Robinson.
Robinson's Hall of Fame career is full of amazing accomplishments. The 12-time All-Star is the only player in MLB history to win an MVP Award in both the National and American League. After his tremendous playing career, Robinson became the first African American manager in Major League Baseball. The list goes on and on.
There is no doubt that Robinson is one of MLB's most important figures, and Mike Francesa paid his respects to the baseball legend during the open of Thursday's Mike's On.
MORE: Hall Of Famer, Pioneering Manager Frank Robinson Dies At 83
"I had incredible respect for him as a player, later as a manager, but here's one of the most important figures in the history of modern baseball," Francesa said about the first-ballot Hall of Famer. "Frank Robinson was not only one of the great players in an era where there were so many great players. You're talking about the first generation that was led by Jackie Robinson into the major leagues...
"Frank Robinson, if you remember, was often overlooked because there was Willie Mays. Often overlooked because there was Mickey Mantle. Often overlooked because there was Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente. There were so many great players in that era...
Robinson gave his life to Major League Baseball.
After breaking into the big leagues in 1956, Robinson would not hang up his baseball cleats until 2006, following his fourth stint as an MLB manager.
Even after his coaching career ended, the all-time great moved to the MLB front office, where he served in several different roles under the commissioner.
"Frank Robinson won an MVP. He was known for being a proud, tough player, and at that time, being a proud, tough, black man, a lot of people didn't like it. But that's what he was. Hard-nosed player. Tough, tough baserunner. As smart a baserunner as I've ever seen...
"You think about great players, generational players- there weren't many better (than Robinson). You want to say guys are as good? Fine. But Frank Robinson can stand up with any of them."
To listen to Mike's entire open on Robinson, click on the audio player above.
