Scott Van Pelt Shares Heartfelt Story About Orioles Great Brooks Robinson

Orioles legend Brooks Robinson passed away, his family and the team announced on Tuesday evening. Considered one of the greatest third basemen in the history of baseball, his career influenced many, but it was a personal story that solidified Robinson’s status as a true legend in every aspect of the word for ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. Van Pelt shared his heartfelt story on social media Tuesday night:

Long Brooks Robinson story I believe I told on radio:

When the Orioles played in Memorial Stadium, the PA announcer was named Rex Barney. When a fan made a great catch of a foul ball, he’d say, “Give that fan a contract.” At a game with my dad and Brooks fouls off a pitch. Dad makes a leaping catch, everyone cheers, Rex does his thing. I’m over the moon. I got a Brooks Robinson foul ball. Can’t believe it.

Next day at school, I tell everyone. Obviously. After school we have to play catch with this ball. Obviously. I figure I can throw a major league curve ball with it. I can’t. I throw it low, my friend can’t catch it. Now is when I mention we lived at the top of a hill. Ball rolls down the street and into a sewer.

The Brooks ball is gone. I never told my dad when he was alive. I always look up to the sky at this point and say, “Sorry ’bout that, Pop.”

I tell this story decades later at a charity event in Baltimore. Turns out a man at our table did some work with Brooks. A week later a box arrives at my house with this and a note:

Hope this makes up for the one that got away, Brooks.

Indeed it did, Brooks. What a man.

Long Brooks Robinson story I believe I told on radio:

When the Orioles played in Memorial Stadium, the PA announcer was named Rex Barney. When a fan made a great catch of a foul ball, he'd say, "Give that fan a contract." At a game with my dad and Brooks fouls off a pitch. Dad… pic.twitter.com/tdfrksoBAX

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) September 26, 2023