David Robertson, Relief Pitcher, New York Mets
Date of Birth: 4/9/1985
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
College: University of Alabama
Nickname: Houdini
David Robertson, relief pitcher for the New York Mets, was drafted in 2006 by the New York Yankees. He pitched in the Yankees' minor league system from 2007 through part of 2009. He first joined the Yankees as a relief pitcher in 2008 for 25 games and for 45 games in 2009.
In 2010, Robertson pitched 61.1 innings in 64 games with the Yankees. He finished the season with a 3.82 ERA and a 4-5 record. The following season, he was the setup man for Mariano Rivera for most of the season. His 1.08 ERA in 2011 led the American League. He finished the season with a 4-0 record and a career high 100 strikeouts (to 35 walks) in 70 games.
Robertson signed a one-year contract with the Yankees in January, 2012. He was the setup man in 2012 and he finished the season with a 2-7 record, 2 saves, and a 2.67 ERA. He followed that with a better season in 2013, when he finished with a 5-1 record, 3 saves, and a 2.04 ERA.
Robertson became the Yankees' closer in 2014. He finished the season with 39 saves and a 3.08 ERA in 64.1 innings in 63 games.
On December 10, 2014, Robertson signed a four-year, $46 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. As the closer for the White Sox in 2015, he had 34 saves in 60 games. He finished the season with 86 strikeouts to 13 walks and a 3.41 ERA in 63.1 innings.
In 2016, Robertson had a 3.47 ERA in 62 games with the White Sox. He finished the season with 5 wins and 3 losses, 37 saves, and 75 strikeouts to 32 walks in 62.1 innings.
Robertson returned to the Yankees in a trade on July 18, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 9 wins and 2 losses, 14 saves, 98 strikeouts to 23 walks, and a 1.84 ERA in 31 games with the White Sox and 30 games with the Yankees. In the postseason, he pitched 13.0 innings in 8 games and he gave up 11 hits and 6 runs. He struck out 16 batters and walked 4.
Robertson finished the 2018 season with 8 wins and 3 losses, 5 saves, 91 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.23 ERA in 69.2 innings in 69 games. In the postseason, he pitched 3.2 innings in 3 games and he gave up no hits. He struck out 7 batters and walked 1.
Robertson became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on January 3, 2019. He spent most of the 2019 season on the DL, pitching in just 7 games with the Phillies. He had Tommy John surgery in August.
Robertson spent the shortened 2020 season on the IL. He elected free agency on October 30, 2020. On July 13, 2021, he signed with a team in the independent Atlantic League. He was released a month later, on August 13th. Three days later, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched just 12.0 innings in 12 games with the Rays. In the postseason, he gave up 3 hits and no runs in 4.0 innings in 3 games.
Robertson pitched for the U.S. Olympic team in 2021.
Robertson became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Chicago Cubs on March 16, 2022. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 2nd.
Robertson became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Mets on December 9th.
Career pitching statistics for Robertson through 2021 include:
- 673 games played
- 675.2 innings pitched
- 53-33 win-loss record
- 896 strikeouts to 270 walks
- 2.93 ERA
Charitable Work
In 2011, Robertson and his wife started the "High Socks for Hope" foundation. One goal of the foundation is to assist victims of natural disasters. It also helps homeless veterans in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area. In 2011, Robertson donated $100 to the foundation for each strikeout he had that season (100). More information on the foundation is available at High Socks for Hope.
Personal Life
Robertson's brother Connor played with the Oakland Athletics in 2007 and with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.
Robertson and his wife Erin have one son.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - David Robertson
ESPN - David Robertson