History of David Robertson (baseball) in Timeline

David Robertson, nicknamed "D-Rob", is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies. Throughout his MLB career, he has pitched for several prominent teams, including the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Miami Marlins and Texas Rangers. He is known for his effectiveness as a reliever and closer, making him a valuable asset to any team's bullpen.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 9, 1985: David Robertson born

On April 9, 1985, David Alan Robertson, nicknamed "D-Rob", was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

1996: Mariano Rivera's 100 Strikeout Season

In 1996, Mariano Rivera had 100 strikeouts in a single season.

2004: Graduated from Paul W. Bryant High School

In 2004, David Robertson graduated from Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, after leading the Stampede to an area title and the Class 6A State Playoffs.

2005: Freshman Year at Alabama

In 2005, as a freshman at the University of Alabama, David Robertson appeared in 32 games, compiling a 7–5 record with eight saves and a 2.92 ERA. He set a single-season rookie record with 105 strikeouts and earned several Freshman All-American honors.

2006: Signed with the Yankees

Due to being 21, David Robertson was a draft-eligible sophomore in the 2006 MLB draft. The New York Yankees selected him in the 17th round, and he signed with the Yankees for a $200,000 signing bonus.

2006: SEC Championship and Cape Cod League MVP

In 2006, David Robertson helped lead the Crimson Tide to their 25th SEC Championship. In the same year, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and was named the most valuable player of the playoffs.

2007: Minor League Season

In 2007, David Robertson pitched for multiple teams, including the Charleston RiverDogs, Tampa Yankees, and Trenton Thunder. He combined for an 8-3 record, four saves, and a 0.96 ERA, striking out 114 batters in 84+1⁄3 innings. He was also a mid-season South Atlantic League All Star.

June 28, 2008: Called up to the Yankees

On June 28, 2008, David Robertson was called up to the New York Yankees from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

2008: MLB Debut with Yankees

In 2008, David Robertson made his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Yankees.

2008: Success in Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

In 2008, David Robertson pitched for Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, achieving a 4-0 record with three saves and a 1.68 ERA. He struck out 77 batters in 53+2⁄3 innings and was named the International League's "Best Reliever" by Baseball America.

2009: MLB Season with the Yankees

In 2009, David Robertson finished the season with a 2-1 record, a save, a 3.30 ERA, and 63 strikeouts in 43+2⁄3 innings for the Yankees.

2009: Marriage to Erin Cronin

In 2009, David Robertson married Erin Cronin.

2009: Pitching for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

In 2009, David Robertson pitched for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recorded a 1.84 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 14+2⁄3 innings.

2009: World Series Champion

In 2009, David Robertson was a member of the New York Yankees team that won the World Series.

2009: Postseason success and World Series win

In the 2009 playoffs, David Robertson entered two games in high-pressure situations and did not allow any runs to score, earning the win in both games. The Yankees won the 2009 World Series.

2010: ALCS Game 6

In Game 6 of the 2010 ALCS against the Texas Rangers, David Robertson allowed a two-run home run to Nelson Cruz, contributing to the Rangers' 6-1 victory and their advancement to the World Series.

2010: 2010 Season Statistics

In the 2010 season, David Robertson recorded a 4–5 record, one save, a 3.82 ERA, and 71 strikeouts in 61+1⁄3 innings.

2011: Breakout Season

David Robertson had a breakout season in 2011, finishing with a 4–0 record, one save, 34 holds, a league-leading 1.08 ERA, and a 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings ratio. He led MLB with an adjusted ERA+ of 410 and recorded 100 strikeouts, becoming the first Yankee reliever since Mariano Rivera in 1996 to reach that mark. He also received votes for the AL Cy Young and MVP Awards and won the This Year in Baseball Setup Man of the Year Award.

2011: High Socks for Hope Foundation

In 2011, David Robertson and his wife started "High Socks for Hope", a charitable foundation, to aid victims of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama tornado strikes. David Robertson agreed to donate $100 for every strikeout he recorded in the season and was nominated for the 2011 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for his efforts.

2011: Exceptional Performance with Bases Loaded

In 2011, David Robertson demonstrated exceptional performance in critical late-inning situations, striking out 14 of the 19 hitters he faced with the bases loaded and allowing only one hit. This earned him the nickname "Houdini".

2011: MLB All-Star

In 2011, David Robertson was named an MLB All-Star.

2011: Eighth Inning Setup Role and All-Star Selection

In 2011, due to injuries to other pitchers, David Robertson assumed the eighth-inning setup role for the Yankees and was named to the 2011 American League All-Star roster, replacing David Price.

January 2012: Contract Agreement with Yankees

In January 2012, the Yankees and David Robertson agreed on a one-year non-guaranteed contract to avoid arbitration.

May 2012: Injuries and Role Change

In May 2012, after Mariano Rivera's season-ending injury, David Robertson was initially slated to share closing duties, but he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a rib cage strain. Upon his return, he became the setup man for Rafael Soriano.

August 2012: Birth of Son Luke

In August 2012, David Robertson and his wife Erin welcomed their first child, a son named Luke.

2012: Pitched for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

In 2012, David Robertson pitched two scoreless innings for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

2013: Setup Reliever

In 2013, David Robertson served as the eighth-inning setup reliever behind Mariano Rivera, appearing in 70 games and recording a 5-1 record with three saves, 33 holds, a 2.04 ERA, and 77 strikeouts.

2014: Signed with the White Sox

After the 2014 season, David Robertson became a free agent and agreed to a four-year, $46 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.

2014: Named Yankees' Closer

During spring training in 2014, David Robertson was named the Yankees' closer. However, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 7 due to a groin strain.

2014: Closer Role and Free Agency

In 2014, David Robertson had a 4–5 record and a 3.08 ERA, successfully converting 39 save attempts and striking out 96 batters. As the Yankees' closer, he was praised as a worthy successor to Mariano Rivera. On November 10, Robertson declined the Yankees' $15.3-million qualifying offer for the 2015 season, becoming a free agent.

2015: Declined Yankees' Qualifying Offer

David Robertson declined the Yankees' $15.3-million qualifying offer for the 2015 season, making him a free agent.

July 2017: Birth of Daughter Violet

In July 2017, David Robertson and his wife Erin welcomed their second child, a daughter named Violet.

July 18, 2017: Traded to the Yankees

On July 18, 2017, David Robertson, along with Todd Frazier and Tommy Kahnle, was traded by the White Sox to the New York Yankees for Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard, Ian Clarkin, and Tito Polo. In his first appearance after the trade, Robertson struck out the side.

2017: World Baseball Classic Gold Medal

In 2017, David Robertson pitched for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, winning a gold medal.

2017: Trade Rumors and White Sox Season

In 2017, amid trade rumors, David Robertson played for the White Sox, recording a 4-2 record with 13 saves, a 2.70 ERA, and 47 strikeouts before being traded to the Yankees.

2017: Traded back to the Yankees

In July 2017, David Robertson was traded back to the Yankees.

2017: American League Wild Card Game Performance

In the 2017 American League Wild Card Game, David Robertson set career postseason single-game highs with 3+1⁄3 innings pitched and 52 pitches thrown, allowing no runs and earning the win.

2018: Signed with the Phillies

After the 2018 season, David Robertson signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent.

2018: 2018 Season Performance

In 2018, David Robertson recorded an 8–3 record with five saves, 21 holds, a 3.23 ERA, and 91 strikeouts in a career-high 69+2⁄3 innings. His WHIP ranked seventh among AL relievers, and batters hit .183 against him.

2018: Lifetime Stats and Thurman Munson Award

In 2018, after an 11-year career, David Robertson held a 2.88 ERA with 137 saves in 654 games pitched, ranking 10th among active players, and had an average of 11.97 strikeouts per nine innings. In 2018, he also received the Thurman Munson Award.

January 3, 2019: Signed with the Philadelphia Phillies

On January 3, 2019, David Robertson, acting as his own agent, signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, including a club option for a third year and a buyout clause. He also committed to donate one percent of his salary to the Phillies' charity fund.

March 28, 2019: Phillies Debut

On March 28, 2019, David Robertson made his pitching debut for the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park against the Atlanta Braves.

August 17, 2019: Tommy John Surgery

On August 17, 2019, David Robertson underwent Tommy John surgery after being out of play since April 14 due to a Grade 1 flexor strain in his pitching elbow.

August 28, 2020: Setback and Season End

On August 28, 2020, David Robertson suffered a setback during his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which immediately shut him down from throwing, effectively ending his season. His option was bought out after the season, making him a free agent.

2020: Summer Olympics Silver Medal

In 2020, David Robertson was named to the Olympics roster on July 2, and the team went on to win silver, falling to Japan in the gold-medal game.

2020: Preparing for 2020 Summer Olympics

In 2020, David Robertson was preparing for the 2020 Summer Olympics. He signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball to get ready.

May 2021: Named to National Team Roster

In May 2021, David Robertson was named to the roster of the national team for qualifying for baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

July 12, 2021: Signed with High Point Rockers

On July 12, 2021, David Robertson signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball to prepare for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

August 16, 2021: Signed with Tampa Bay Rays

On August 16, 2021, David Robertson signed with the Tampa Bay Rays after participating in the Olympics.

September 1, 2021: Major League Season Debut with Rays

On September 1, 2021, David Robertson made his major league season debut with the Tampa Bay Rays.

March 2022: Birth of Son Rhett

In March 2022, David Robertson and his wife Erin welcomed their third child, a son named Rhett.

March 16, 2022: Signed with the Chicago Cubs

On March 16, 2022, David Robertson signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

June 22, 2022: First MLB At Bat

On June 22, 2022, in his 696th game, David Robertson had his first MLB at bat, borrowing gear from teammates. He struck out against Diego Castillo of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

August 2, 2022: Traded to Philadelphia Phillies

On August 2, 2022, David Robertson was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Ben Brown.

December 9, 2022: Signed with the New York Mets

On December 9, 2022, David Robertson signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Mets.

2022: Phillies Advance to World Series

In 2022, David Robertson played for both the Cubs and Phillies, achieving a 4-3 record with 20 saves and a 2.40 ERA. His 731 career games played were 8th-most of all active pitchers. The Phillies advanced to the 2022 World Series, where Robertson earned a save in Game 1, but the Phillies lost to the Houston Astros in six games.

May 12, 2023: 1,000th MLB Strikeout

On May 12, 2023, David Robertson recorded the 1,000th strikeout of his MLB career, becoming the 14th relief pitcher to reach this milestone.

July 28, 2023: Traded to Miami Marlins

On July 28, 2023, David Robertson was traded by the Mets to the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospects Ronald Hernández and Marco Vargas. He later became a free agent following the season.