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 Hall of Famer Frank Robinson has been appointed Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Development, Commissioner Selig announced on Tuesday. Robinson's appointment fills the vacancy that was left after Jimmie Lee Solomon resigned from the position on June 7th. Solomon had served in Major League Baseball since 1991 in a variety of operational capacities. He was responsible for the management of Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academies across the country, Minor League Operations, the Civil Rights Game and many initiatives and special events aimed at baseball development. He served as Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations from June 2005 until being named the head of baseball development in June 2010.
Robinson, who most recently served as Special Assistant to the Commissioner and has been a member of the Commissioner’s Special Committee for On-Field Matters since its inception, has held a variety of significant positions with MLB and its Clubs throughout his illustrious career.
In his new role, Robinson will lead the management of MLB’s Urban Youth Academies in Compton, Houston and Puerto Rico, as well as the development of future sites in New Orleans, Hialeah (FL) and Philadelphia. Robinson also will be responsible for overseeing the Civil Rights Game and the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
“With more than 55 years of knowledge and experience in our game, Frank Robinson continues to be an extraordinary ambassador for Baseball,” said Commissioner Selig. “This position will allow Frank to represent the national pastime to the next generation and guide the development of inner-city kids on and off the field, a cause that has always been close to his heart.”
Robinson, who will continue to report directly to the Commissioner, assembled a Hall of Fame playing career with the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels and Cleveland Indians, amassing 586 career home runs, which rank ninth on the all-time list. He remains the only player in history to win the Most Valuable Player award in both the American and National Leagues.
Robinson has served as field manager of the Indians, San Francisco Giants, Orioles, Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals. He also was the Orioles’ assistant general manager for five years. Robinson has worked for the Commissioner’s Office in several capacities. He was Vice President of On-Field Operations from 2000 to 2002; Special Advisor to the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations from 2007-2009; Special Assistant to the Commissioner from 2009-2010; and Senior Vice President for Major League Operations from June 2010-February 2011.
 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He writes for Baseball Prospectus and is a contributor to Forbes. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
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