Frank Robison
Encyclopedia
Frank DeHass Robison was an American businessman, best known as a baseball
executive. He was the organizer of the Cleveland Spiders
franchise, and owned or part-owned the club throughout its existence, from its founding in as the Cleveland Blues until . Along with his brother, Stanley Robison
, he was also co-owner of the St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals
baseball team of the National League
from through .
After briefly attending Delaware University, Robison went into business with his father-in-law, Charles Hathaway, operating streetcars in Cleveland, Ohio
. In 1887, he used funds from this business to start up a baseball team, the Cleveland Blues (called the Forest Citys in some sources). He continued to operate in both areas for the next two decades, including financing the construction of League Park
in 1889, and the formation of the Cleveland City Railway Company in 1893.
In 1899, the Robison brothers were responsible for the worst Major League Baseball
team in history, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders
. Before the season, the Robisons purchased the bankrupt St. Louis Browns
from Chris von der Ahe
and renamed them the Perfectos. During the single season in which they owned both the Spiders and Perfectos, the brothers transferred the best players of both franchises to St. Louis, leaving the Spiders with a team that finished with a record of 20-134, the worst full-season record ever for a major league baseball team. Following this debacle (and a similar one involving the Baltimore Orioles
and Brooklyn Superbas
), the practice of allowing the same owners to run multiple teams was outlawed.
Following Robison's death in 1908, Stanley Robison became sole owner of the Cardinals until his death in 1911, when the franchise was bequeathed to Stanley's daughter (Frank's niece) Helene Hathaway Britton
.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
executive. He was the organizer of the Cleveland Spiders
Cleveland Spiders
The Cleveland Spiders were a Major League Baseball team which played between 1887 and 1899 in Cleveland, Ohio. The team played at National League Park from 1889 to 1890 and at League Park from 1891 to 1899.- 1887-1891 :...
franchise, and owned or part-owned the club throughout its existence, from its founding in as the Cleveland Blues until . Along with his brother, Stanley Robison
Stanley Robison
Martin Stanford "Stanley" Robison was an American owner and manager in Major League Baseball. Robison was the owner of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1899 to 1911, along with his brother Frank. He was also part-owner of the Cleveland Spiders for most of their existence, from 1887 to 1899...
, he was also co-owner of the St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
baseball team of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
from through .
After briefly attending Delaware University, Robison went into business with his father-in-law, Charles Hathaway, operating streetcars in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. In 1887, he used funds from this business to start up a baseball team, the Cleveland Blues (called the Forest Citys in some sources). He continued to operate in both areas for the next two decades, including financing the construction of League Park
League Park
League Park was a baseball park located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was situated at the northeast corner of Lexington Avenue and E. 66th Street in the Hough neighborhood. It was home to the National League Cleveland Spiders, the American League Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland...
in 1889, and the formation of the Cleveland City Railway Company in 1893.
In 1899, the Robison brothers were responsible for the worst Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team in history, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders
1899 Cleveland Spiders season
The Cleveland Spiders season was a season in American baseball. It was their 13th season in the major leagues, their 11th season in the National League and their last season in existence....
. Before the season, the Robisons purchased the bankrupt St. Louis Browns
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
from Chris von der Ahe
Chris von der Ahe
Christian Friedrich Wilhelm von der Ahe was a German-American entrepreneur, best known as the owner of the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the American Association, now known as the St. Louis Cardinals....
and renamed them the Perfectos. During the single season in which they owned both the Spiders and Perfectos, the brothers transferred the best players of both franchises to St. Louis, leaving the Spiders with a team that finished with a record of 20-134, the worst full-season record ever for a major league baseball team. Following this debacle (and a similar one involving the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (19th century)
The Baltimore Orioles were a 19th-century American Association and National League team from 1882 to 1899. The club, which featured numerous future Hall of Famers, finished in first place three consecutive years and won the Temple Cup championship in 1896 and 1897...
and Brooklyn Superbas
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
), the practice of allowing the same owners to run multiple teams was outlawed.
Following Robison's death in 1908, Stanley Robison became sole owner of the Cardinals until his death in 1911, when the franchise was bequeathed to Stanley's daughter (Frank's niece) Helene Hathaway Britton
Helene Hathaway Britton
Helene Hathaway Robison Britton was the owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team of the National League from through . She inherited the franchise upon the death of her uncles, Frank and Stanley Robison...
.