David Robertson: 2023 Mets Relief Pitcher (2023)

 David Allen Robinson was born April 9th in Birmingham, Alabama. The five-foot eleven right-handed pitcher attended the University of Alabama playing for the Crimson Tide. He was drafted by the AL New York team in the 17th round of the 2006 draft.

In 2006 he was named the Cape Cod League's MVP in the Playoffs of Yarmouth-Dennis' Red Sox Championship season.

MLB Career: Robertson came up with the AL New York club in 2008, he would spend seven seasons there as the teams set up man, becoming their closer in his final season with the team.

In 2008 he was brought up at the end of June & went 4-0 on the season with a 5.34 ERS, striking out 36 batters in 30 innings. The next year he started out at AAA but was brought back up to go 2-1 with 63 strike outs in 43.2 innings of work, posting the second best strike out ratio in the majors at 13.0.

2009 Post Season: Robertson earned a win both the ALDS & ALCS pitching three scoreless
innings. He made two appearances in the World Series loss to the Phillies.

2010 Post Season: Robertson was credited wit two holds in the ALDS win over Minnesota. In Game #3 of the ALCS he was rocked for five runs in the 8-0 loss. He then came into Game #5 of the ALCS & surrendered a 5th inning two run HR to Nelson Cruz in the Rangers 6-1 win clinching the pennant.

The next season although manager Joe Girardi did not pencil him in as a setup man, injuries to pitchers had him fill in that role anyway. He had posted 55 strike outs with a 1.27 ERA halfway thru the season, getting named to the AL All Star team replacing an injured David Price. 

He finished the year at 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA (tops among relievers) & a career high 70 appearances.

In 2012 he dropped off to a 2-7 record although his ERA was just 2.67 & he was credited with 30 holds.

2012 Post Season: He was credited with a win the LDS Game #3 extra inning win over the Orioles. He allowed just one run in 6.1 innings pitched in two post season series. 

In 2013 he returned as setup man to go 5-1 with a 2.04 ERA & three saves, he struck out 77 batters in 66.1 innings of work, matching his career high 70 appearances. After going 5-1 in 2013 he became the teams closer in 2014 & saved 39 games (3rd most in the AL).

After the season he signed on as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. He saved over thirty games in each of the next two seasons, finishing with 34 in 2015 (4th most in the AL (then 37 the next year (6th most in the AL). 

From August 5th to September 16, he struck out at least one batter in 15 straight games. 

In 2017 with the Sox in rebuilding mode he was sent back to the AL New York team along with Todd Frazier & Tommy Kahnle in exchange for Blake Rutherford, Ian Clarkin, Toto Polo & Tyler Clippard, where he went 5-0 with a 1.03 ERA in 30 appearances. Overall, he won a career high nine games that season as well.

2017 Post Season: He pitched a career high 3.1 innings in Game #3 of the ALWC game striking out five while allowing no runs. In the ALDS he blew a save in Game #2 at Cleveland in the Indians 9-8 win. He would allow five runs to the Houston Astros in the ALCS loss.

From 2009- 2018 he posted the lowest ERA (2.76) of pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. In his first ten seasons he became the first pitcher to average ten strike outs per games in MLB history.

In 2019 he negotiated his own contract & signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He needed Tommy John surgery & pitched in just seven games that season. When he was ready to return, he suffered a setback & was shut down missing all of the 2020 season.

In 2021 he pitched in the Independant Atlantic league to prepare for the Olympics, then signed with the Tampa Rays making 12 appearances. He then pitched four scoreless innings in the ALDS loss to the Boston Red Sox.

In 2022 Roberston signed with the Chicago Cubs where he went 3-0 with 14 saves in 36 appearances posting a 2.23 ERA. That August he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for a minor leaguer.

He went 1-3 with 14 saves with the Phillies with a 2.70 ERA striking out 30 batters in 23.1 innings in 22 appearances. Overall, his twenty saves wee 8th most in the NL as he returned back to a closers role after five years.

2022 Post Season: Robertson made nine appearances pitching a scoreless inning in the NLWC series win over the Cardinals. He did not pitch in the NLDS.

In the NLCS series win over San Diego he made three appearances, allowing a 7th inning HR to Manny Machado in the 8-5 Game #2 loss. He then collected a pair of holds pitching two scoreless innings in Game #4 & Game #5.

In the World Series loss to the Astros, he made four appearances pitching four scoreless innings
with five K's & three walks. He earned a save in the Game #1 extra inning win & finished off two games.

In the off season he signed a deal with the New York Mets. Initially thought to be one of the teams set up man, he may take over the closer's role after the injury to Edwin Diaz. 

Quotes- David Robertson: "My plan coming here was to throw whenever Buck called on me & asked me to pitch. It doesn't matter to me when I pitch in the game, whether it's the fifth through the ninth. But If I'm asked to cover the 9th, I will do my best".

With new rule changes in 2023 he is not a fan of the pitch clock.

Quotes- David Robertson: "I think its pretty ridiculous. Its way too fast, especially when you're just trying to have a conversation with your catcher & you don't have time". 

Career Stats: In his 14-year career he is 57-36 with 157 saves in 731 appearances. He struck out 977 walked 305 in 739.1 innings of work serving up 65 HRs. Although he has a high walk rate his strike ratio compensates for it throughout his career.

Family: David & his wife Erin were married in 2009, together they have two children. His brother Conner played for the Oakland A's & Arizona Diamondbacks.

Charity: He & his wife started the charity High Socks for Hope in his hometown of Tuscaloosa Alabama.