Brian Roberts
From BR Bullpen
Brian Michael Roberts
(B-Rob)
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 170 lb.
- School University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina
- Debut June 14, 2001
- Born October 9, 1977 in Durham, NC USA
[edit] Biographical Information
After being listed in the Mitchell Report, Brian Roberts admitted to using steroids once in 2003.
Roberts was just 2 for 12 with two walks for Team USA in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup, backing up Brian Oliver at second base and Adam Everett at shortstop. He was not originally on Team USA's roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic, but was added after Dustin Pedroia injured his oblique muscle in batting practice after the first round. In his first start at second base against the Netherlands, he hit a single, a double and a triple and drew a walk in a 9-3 win to eliminate the Classic's Cinderella team.
Roberts was the fourth player in MLB history to hit 50+ doubles three times, following Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial.
Roberts played only 59 games that season, after being out from April 10th to July 23rd due to an abdominal strain. He hit .278/.354/.391 during his time on the field. On September 27th, he struck out against the Tampa Bay Rays' Joaquin Benoit, and on his way back to the plate thwacked himelf on the helmet with his bat in frustration; unknowingly, he had given himself a concussion and missed the last six games of the season with headaches. In 2011, he began the season as the starting second baseman but played his last game on May 16th, bothered by post-concussion symptoms. He hit only .221 in 39 games, with a .273 OBP, at which point Robert Andino took over as the O's second baseman. He was back with the team for spring training in 2012, but was unable to take part in any exhibition games and began the year on the disabled list once again. On May 23rd, he was finally assigned to the AA Bowie BaySox to begin a rehabilitation assignment. However, he urged fans to show patience with his condition: "Standing here today, I can't say that I'm going to be Brian Roberts tomorrow. I'm not going to go out there and probably be running into walls tomorrow. But I am going to be out there, and it's going to be a progression."
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2-time AL All-Star (2005 & 2007)
- 2-time AL Doubles Leader (2004 & 2009)
- AL Stolen Bases Leader (2007)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (2004 & 2007-2009)
- 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 1 (2007)
