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Frank Robinson speaks after his statue was unveiled before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, May 27, 2017, in Cleveland. Robinson was MLB’s first African-American manager. He became a player-manager for the Indians in 1975. (AP Photo | Tony Dejak)

Ohio Governor Remembers Baseball Great Frank Robinson

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is expressing sorrow at the death of baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, whom he describes as one of his childhood heroes.

Robinson, the first black manager in Major League Baseball and the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues, died Thursday at 83.

DeWine, whose family owns the minor-league Asheville Tourists in Asheville, North Carolina, said in a statement that Robinson’s accomplishments were impressive to watch. That included during his rookie year with the Cincinnati Reds, who play not far from DeWine’s hometown.

The 72-year-old Republican also recalled he and his son Mark sitting behind Robinson at a Cleveland Indians World Series game. DeWine said Robinson let them take a photo of him and Mark that still hangs on the family’s wall.