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Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts dies at 83

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Robin Roberts, the Hall of Fame pitcher who led the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1950 National League pennant, died Thursday at age 83.

Roberts died of natural causes at his home in Temple Terrace, Fla. He is survived by four sons, one brother, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. His wife, Mary, died five years ago.

Roberts was the most productive pitcher in the National League in the first half of the 1950s, leading the league in wins from 1952 to 1955, innings pitched from ’51 to ’55 and complete games from ’52 to ’56. The right-hander won 286 games and had six consecutive 20-win seasons. He had 45 career shutouts, 2,357 strikeouts and a lifetime ERA of 3.41.

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‘He was a boyhood hero of mine,’ said team President David Montgomery. ‘Then I had a chance to meet him personally, I remember pinching myself knowing I was talking to Robin Roberts. His career and stats speak for themselves. But first and foremost, he was a friend, and we’ll miss him badly.’

The players will wear Roberts’ jersey number, 36, which was retired in 1962, on their sleeves starting Friday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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