By Evan Katz, Author and Creator
Catcher J. T. Realmuto with right shoulder protection.
Bruce Robinson without a Robbypad covering his right shoulder. Chattanooga Lookouts, 1976.
Robinson had the fifth best 1979 caught stealing percentage for AL catchers in 25+ games.
Frank Ray with Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn in 1987.
The financial statements of Franklin County, Ohio documents the purchase of the Clippers in 1976.
The 1976 renovation of Jets Stadium.
Columbus Citizen, Scripps Howard Newspapers Grandview Heights Public Libraryhttps://clcohio.org/services/photohio-collections/Completed Franklin County Stadium in 1977
Columbus Citizen, Scripps Howard Newspapers Grandview Heights Public Libraryhttps://clcohio.org/services/photohio-collections/Trainer Mark Letendre
Columbus Citizen, Scripps Howard NewspapersGrandview Heights Public Libraryhttps://clcohio.org/services/photohio-collectionsThe Mittpad hangs below the glove. Pitches in the dirt often miss the glove and the catcher’s goal is to stop the ball and keep it front of him.
When scooping balls in the dirt the Mittpad protects the exposed wrist, as the catcher uses any body part to stop the ball, whether protected or not.
Excerpt from the Mittpad/Robbypad release signed by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Clippers General Manager George Sisler, Jr.
Clippers trainer Mark Letendre wrote the check for the first Robbypad patent search.
The Robbypad (circled in red) was first photographed in MLB on September 18, 1979.
Robinson with the Robbypad in
Yankee Stadium on September 29,
1979 with umpire George Maloney
Robinson wearing the Robbypad as photographed by Wilson Sporting Goods.
Roommates and battery mates Bruce
Robinson (C) and Dave Righetti (R) with
Clippers Manager Joe Altobelli in 1980
Robinson’s 1979 Chevy van.
Captain’s chairs in an upgraded Chevy van.
Robinson's 1980 Baseball Card
The championship battery of pitcher Chris Welsh (L) in Toledo, OH, with Robinson (R) and the Robbypad. Welsh is in his 27th year as the Fox Sports Net Ohio TV color analyst for the Cincinnati Reds. Welsh pitched for four MLB teams, including the Reds, in five seasons. (Permission requested from Newsbank, Naples, FL)
The Columbus Dispatch lists ESPN’s broadcast of the June 12, 1981 Columbus Toledo game. (Permission requested from Newsbank, Naples, FL)
Page E-5 of the March 26, 1990 San Diego Union showed New York Mets catchers wearing a shoulder device like the Robbypad.
The front page of Robinson’s 1991 complaint against Wilson Sporting Goods.
Catcher Jody Davis awaiting the sliding Keith Hernandez with a right shoulder protective pad attached to his chest protector. (6/17/87)
A’s pitcher Brian Kingman, Robinson’s 1976 Chattanooga Lookouts teammate.
Greg Harris, President/CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, began his career in museum management at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was on the team that evaluated the Robbypad when it was submitted by Robinson as an artifact donation.
“Catcher's chest protector, with adjoining throwing arm protector, developed and used in 1979 by Bruce Robinson of the New York Yankees' AAA Columbus Clippers. Black nylon chest protector with orange trim; arm protector on right side; "Wilson, made in USA, A3200 HN" label near back buckle. Three panels of horizontal foam cells with black nylon covering and orange fabric-covered piping around perimeter. Separate solid foam throwing arm protector with orange fabric backing. Attaches to proper right side of main chest protector at three points with black fabric lacing. One metal D-ring on each side of the lower portion of the protector for strap attachment. Strap is made up of two upper elastic straps, an adjustable leather, plastic, and metal buckle, and two lower elastic straps which clip onto metal D-rings.”
Robinson’s father John and son Scott view the Robbypad at the Hall of Fame in 2003. Scott was in his first year of professional baseball with the Tri-City Valley Cats, the Houston Astros’ short season Single-A team in Troy, NY.
The Certificate of Donation from the Baseball Hall of Fame to Robinson, for his gift of the Robbypad. The certificate was updated in 2020 to correct an error in the original 1995 document.
This account of the invention of the Robbypad was inspired by a shared passion for baseball. Much of the rich detail which brings this story to life was provided and inspired by Bruce Robinson, who was so responsive to my constant emails and text messages. Frank Ray and Mark Letendre contributed vivid background and expert perspective. Greg Harris provided insight into the unique world of museum management.
Other sources contributed through my first story about Bruce, his biography for the Society for American Baseball Research --- Brian Kingman, Dave Righetti and Rene Lachemann. Other sources were “Almost Yankees” author J. David Herman, radio broadcaster Kevin Kennedy, Clippers outfielder Garry Smith and baseball attendance guru David Kronheim, the Number Tamer. Finally, major statistical and historical detail was provided by Baseball Reference, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Sporting News.
Two other factors contributed to creating the time needed to research and write --- the pandemic of 2020 and my first baseball injury ever. In February I pitched too many innings in too few days at a baseball tournament. When adult baseball resumed this summer my sore shoulder converted me from a pitcher to a coach/designated hitter.
My final appreciation is for my wife Liz, who provided a fresh view of the story when it was needed. Also, when I would say day-after-day, “I’m going to work on the Robbypad story,” she would supportively respond, “Okay.”
Evan Katz
Swampscott, MA
August 8, 2020