William Henry Robinson Jr. (1943-2007) 

1967 NY Yankee James P. Dawson Rookie Award Winner

Longines Olympian watch

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Bill Robinson was a major league baseball player, with a 16-year career with the NY Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Upon retirement, Robinson was a minor league coach and manger, and finished his career as a coach for the NY Mets and Florida Marlins. Robinson collected three World Series rings, with the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates (as a player), and as a coach for the 1986 Mets and the 2003 Marlins.

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Robinson was envisioned as a future star when the Yankees obtained him in November 1966 from the Atlanta Braves. Roger Maris had been traded, and it was expected that Robinson would take over in right field. Mickey Mantle was in the twilight of his career, and 23-year old rookie Robinson was counted on to save the franchise. But he was hampered by injuries & never fulfilled his promise in three seasons with the Yankees.

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Since 1956, NY Yankees sportswriters have honored the outstanding rookie at Spring Training with the James P. Dawson Memorial Award.  (Dawson covered baseball for the New York Times for over 30 years).  Bill Robinson was selected as the 1967 recipient, and received a chic stainless steel Longines Olympian watch, engraved, “Dawson Award ~ Top Yankee Rookie ~ Apr. 6, 1967 ~ Bill Robinson”