The greatest defensive third baseman in baseball history received confirmation of that title yesterday in the city where he made his professional debut.

Brooks Robinson, who played with the Orioles for 23 seasons, was presented with the Rawlings All-Time Gold Glove for third base in a pre-game ceremony before the Newark Bears played the York Revolution, the independent Atlantic League team that is partly owned by Robinson.

The Human Vacuum Cleaner won 16 Gold Gloves while with the Orioles, but this one was picked solely by fans.

His direct competition included other multiple Gold Glove winners such as Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt.

So the all-time award, presented in front of about 4,500 fans, has special meaning.

"Absolutely," said Robinson, who still has all of his Gold Gloves.

"It is a little popularity contest that goes with it," Robinson said. "I mean, you watch a guy like Mike Schmidt or Graig Nettles or Clete Boyer or Scott Rolen now, and the......