David Robertson
From BR Bullpen
David Alan Robertson
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
- School University of Alabama
- Debut June 29, 2008
- Born April 9, 1985 in Birmingham, AL, USA
[edit] Biographical Information
David Robertson is the brother of Connor Robertson. He made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 2008, then emerged as one of the team's most reliable relievers in 2009, when he contributed to the team's World Series title with a 3.30 ERA in 45 games coupled with 63 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. he kept a clean sheet in five postseason appearances that year, including 2 1/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. His ERA rose to 3.82 in 2010, but he still pitched 64 games and again struck out over a batter per inning. In 2011, though, he emerged as perhaps the best middle reliever in baseball, making the All-Star team on the strength of a 4-0 record and sparkling 1-0 ERA in 70 games. He struck out an even 100 batters that season, in only 66 2/3 innings, and gave up only one homer all season. The Yankees had signed former Tampa Bay Rays closer Rafael Soriano to a big free agent contract the previous off-season, with a view to grooming him to eventually succeed the great Mariano Rivera in the closer role with the Bronx Bombers. However, Soriano struggled, and Robertson's tremendous performance pushed him up to the top of the depth chart as Mariano's set-up man.
In 2012, David started the season secure in his role as the number 2 man in the Yankee bullpen and pitched lights out in his first 12 outings, giving up a mere 7 hits and 3 walks in 12 innings while striking out 21 and not allowing a single run. When Rivera went down with a torn knee ligament in a freak accident on May 3rd, it was him and not Soriano who was annointed by manager Joe Girardi to take over Mo's huge shoes. In his first game in the new role, on May 8th, he preserved a 5-3 win ocver the Rays, striking out Carlos Pena with the bases loaded in nailing his first save opportunity. It was only the 4th save of his career, but it was clear that he had the stuff and poise to rack up many, many more. However, in his second outing in the role on May 9th, things went awry, as he blew a 1-0 9th inning lead against the Rays, loading the bases with none out and then allowing a sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton and a three-run homer by Matt Joyce to be charged with a blown save and the 4-1 loss. He then got more bad news on May 15th when he was placed on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his ribcage.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (2011)
- Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 2009
