Veteran reliever David Robertson he has decided to close his spikes. He announced the decision on his social media pages, issuing the following statement:
“I’ve decided it’s time to hang up my spikes and retire from a game I’ve loved for a long time. great coaches, and being welcomed into an organization that feels like family To the coaches, clubhouse staff, front office, and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for everything you do. And to the fans who have supported me, thank you, your love keeps me going every day.
Most importantly, I thank my wife and children. Your love, dedication, patience, and dedication made this project a success. As I step away from the game, I am excited to be home with my family, to focus on our farms, and continue to grow High Hope Socks. Helping families rebuild after a disaster has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life outside of baseball.
Saying goodbye is not easy, but I do so with deep gratitude for every opportunity, challenge, and memory. I will always be grateful to the game and everyone who made this journey so amazing.”
Robertson is retiring after a ten-year run in professional baseball. He signed an overslot deal as a 17th round pick to the Yankees in 2006. Robertson was in the big leagues two years later. He started his career in relief but impressed with a 3.30 earned run average in 45 plate appearances in his first full season. Robertson pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings and earned a pair of wins as the Yankees went on to win the 2009 World Series.
The following season, the righty then played in the Yankee bullpen in front of it Mariano Rivera. He lived long hours and worked continuously. Robertson also posted a streak of 10 straight seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA from 2009-18. He went over 60 innings in the last nine of those years.
His most successful statistical season came in 2011, when he struck out 66 2/3 innings with a career-low 1.08 ERA. Robertson scored 34 points against the top three. He received his first, and surprisingly, only All-Star selection while receiving low Cy Young and MVP votes. Recorded a personal best 100 hits. He only left Craig Kimbrel again Tyler Clippard among relievers in punchouts, while Atlanta’s Eric O’Flaherty was the only pitcher with a lower earned run average.
Robertson remained in the setup role until Rivera ended his Hall of Fame career after the 2013 season. Robertson, an upcoming free agent, has stepped seamlessly into the closer role. He recorded 39 saves with a 3.08 ERA in his breakout year. He hit free agency at age 30 and declined a qualifying offer before receiving a four-year, $46MM contract from the White Sox.
He held up his end of the bargain, making over 30 saves in his two full seasons in Chicago. The Sox weren’t particularly good, however, and began to fall apart in 2017. They sent Robertson back to the Bronx aside. Todd Frazier again Tommy Kahnle. Robertson played out the final season and a half of his contract and helped New York return to the postseason both years.
A return trip to free agency didn’t pay off as he entered his age-34 season. He signed a two-year, $23MM deal with the Phillies. That was the prelude to the first real setback of his entire career. Robertson’s elbow ruled out seven games in his first season in Philadelphia. He missed a lot of rehab before it was revealed he needed Tommy John surgery. Robertson missed all of 2020 and most of ’21 before returning with the US national team for the Tokyo Olympics (which were held in ’21 due to the pandemic).
Robertson made an impressive final act after surgery. He bounced around as a set-up man, especially in rival clubs. Robertson made the playoffs with the Rays in ’21 and returned to the World Series the following year. A $3.5MM free agent deal with the Cubs led to a midseason trade back to Philadelphia, and he ended up throwing 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball in October for the pennant winners. Robertson split the ’23 season between the Mets and Marlins — Miami was a late buy that made the playoffs that year — and remains the perfect arm to help the Rangers in 2024. He worked a career-high 72 innings for a 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts at Texas in what would be his final full major league season.
Despite his continued strong performance, Robertson did not get the contract he wanted last season. He waited until July before signing a one-year contract to make his third appearance with the Phillies. Robertson made 20 regular season appearances and the final out in the Division Series loss to the Dodgers.
Robertson ends his playing days with a 2.93 ERA in 900 regular season innings. Only Kenley Jansen he has played more than 881 games going back to his debut. Robertson recorded nearly 1200 hits. He saved 179 games and recorded 206 catches, ranking in the top 20 in both stats in his career. He had a 2.88 ERA in his first 10-year career and came back from elbow surgery to pitch 230 2/3 frames of 3.00 ERA ball with a 31% strikeout rate from ages 36-40.
More to come.
