‘Love the game.’ 3rd generation catcher, Knights player makes White Sox’s 40-man roster

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Baseball runs in the Robinson family.  Charlotte Knights catcher Charles “Chuckie” Robinson III is the third generation of his family to have a professional playing career in baseball.

“It’s a blessing to be able to walk in those footsteps,” said Robinson.  “My Dad and Grandpa both played. Growing up there was no pressure.  They put me in every sport and I just gravitated towards baseball at a young age because I was pretty good and I just stuck with it.”

Robinson was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 21st round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his family has supported him every step of the way through his baseball journey.

“To this day, my grandpa is still my hitting coach.  If I’m doing something in the box, he’ll let me know,” Robinson said with a smile.  “He holds me accountable, which I love.”

Like Robinson, his grandpa, Charles Sr., played in the Chicago White Sox organization at one point in his career, and also in the Negro Leagues.

“It’s kind of funny,” explained Robinson.  “They had a whole different style of playing.  My grandpa caught with something called a ‘donut mitt.’  You can’t even squeeze it!  He caught with two hands and he’s like ‘I don’t know how you catch with that mitt.'”

All three generations of Robinsons played catcher while in the minors, but Chuckie is the first to make it to the bigs.

Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on August 24, 2022, for the Cincinnati Reds and appeared in 25 games before being sent down to Triple-A Louisville.

“My grandpa, he was always like ‘leave it on the field,’ ‘you don’t take this game for granted.’  I love the game. I bleed the game.  I sweat the game and they instilled that into me.”

Robinson signed a minor league contract with the Charlotte Knights this season but recently had his contract selected by the White Sox, officially adding him to the 40-man roster.

“It’s nice to feel wanted by the organization and feel valued,” said Robinson.  “No matter where I’m at, whether it’s the big leagues or the minor leagues, as long as I’m on the field, I’m happy.  I’m blessed to play this game, and I’m happy to be here in Charlotte, and then whenever the Sox do need me, I’ll be ready.”

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