Termidor All-Star Technicians Treated to an Appearance by Frank Robinson

One of Major League Baseball’s all-time standouts, Frank Robinson, was the special guest speaker as part of ceremonies recognizing the 2007 Termidor All-Star Technicians in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO — The 2007 Termidor All-Star Technicians are among the best in their profession, so it was only fitting that the keynote speaker at a special ceremony recognizing them was one Major League Baseball’s all-time standout professionals — Frank Robinson.

“Frank Robinson knows what it is to be committed to his profession, just like all of you know what it is like to be committed to your profession,” said Bill Baxter, business manager, BASF. “Every single one of you is here because you are more than a model employee. You are an asset to your management, your company. You are a leader among your peers, your families and the communities you live in. You work long tough physical days. You go beyond peoples expectations on a regular basis to get the job done and you do it on a regular basis.”

Robinson also took some time to sign autographed balls for Termidor All-Star Technicians, including Action Pest Control's Kim Clark.

Baxter then introduced Robinson, whose credentials include: 12 All-Star appearances; two World Series victories; a Triple Crown award; and MLB's first African-American manager.

Robinson congratulated the Termidor All-Star Technicians, as well as the pest control industry, for recognizing individual contributions. He also lamented the fact that Major League Baseball teams have gotten away from these types of recognitions. For example, Robinson said MLB teams don’t recognize players who do the little, unselfish things like bunt or sacrifice runners into scoring position. “Players used to be rewarded for that,” he said “A manager would go to a general manager and say ‘Joe didn’t hit for a good average this year, but he did a tremendous job sacrificing for the team and we won ball games as a result of that, so when you are talking contract with them keep that in mind.’

“That used to be done, but players today are influenced by agents who say, ‘Put up the numbers and you will get the money.’”

Robinson then talked about some of the challenges and rewards of playing and managing in Major League Baseball. For example, during Robinson’s most recent managerial stint with the Washington Nationals, it was a constant struggle to get his team to hold infield practice.

Currently, Robinson is working MLB Commisssioner Bud Selig to help revitalize baseball in inner cities, with the goal of getting more African-Americans interested in the sport.

Robinson concluded his speech with a humorous story about an incident with MLB Umpire Ron Luciano. During an at-bat, Robinson took a first-pitch ball that was out of the strike zone (high). The opposing pitcher then threw a pitch in exactly the same spot and Luciano called it a strike. Stunned, Robinson turned around in disbelief and said, “That pitch was in the same place.” To which Luciano responded, “It was? Okay, strike two then.”