Former New York Yankees reliever David Robertson has announced his retirement, per his social media account.
The 17-year veteran was entering his age-41 season without a free-agent contract.
Across 17 major league seasons, Robertson accumulated 21.9 bWAR, a solid number for a relief pitcher. He also had a 2.93 ERA across 881 games (894.1 innings) and 179 saves. Robertson also had 1,176 strikeouts in his career, good for 11.8 K/9.
“I’ve decided it’s time for me to hang up my spikes and retire from the game I’ve loved for as long as I can remember,” Robertson tweeted. “Baseball has given me more than I ever dreamed possible over the last 19 seasons.”
David Robertson’s First Stint with the New York Yankees
The Yankees drafted Robertson in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB Draft from the University of Alabama. He would debut with the team in 2008, posting a 5.34 ERA in 25 games. His advanced stats showed there was more to come.
The next year, he would break out, posting a 3.30 ERA in 45 games. In the playoffs, he would not allow an earned run in 5.1 innings, helping the team win the World Series. In 2010, he’d take on more responsibility, posting a 3.82 ERA in 64 games.
Then, in 2011, he’d have the best season of his career with a 1.08 ERA in 70 innings. He would earn his sole All-Star appearance and accumulated 3.7 bWAR.
During the 2012 season, Robertson posted a 2.67 ERA in 65 games and the following season a 2.04 ERA in 70 games.
He was one of the models of consistency during this time period, but was overshadowed on his team by the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera. When Rivera retired after the 2013 season, it was Robertson’s time to shine.
In 2014, Robertson posted a 3.08 ERA and 39 saves as the team’s primary closer. He parlayed that into a free-agent contract with the Chicago White Sox.
The Rest of Robertson’s Career
As the primary closer with Chicago between 2015 and 2017, Robertson posted a 3.28 ERA with 84 saves.
In 2017, he was traded back to the Yankees with Todd Frazier and Tommy Kahnle for Tyler Clippard and prospects.
2017 and 2018 would prove to be Robertson’s final seasons in pinstripes. He was no longer the primary closer after the signing of flamethrower Aroldis Chapman. He posted a 1.03 ERA in the latter half of the 2017 season and then a 3.23 ERA in 69 games during the 2018 season.
In 2019, he would sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, but would only last seven games due to Tommy John surgery. He would subsequently miss the 2020 season recovering and much of the 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Rays.
He came back to form in 2022 with the Chicago Cubs, posting a 2.23 ERA in 36 games with 14 saves. Robertson was traded back to the Phillies during that season and would pitch to a 2.70 ERA in 22 games.
He would finish the rest of his career bouncing around. In 2023, he spent time with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins. He would then sign with the Texas Rangers in 2024 and finish his career with the Phillies in 2025.
Robertson leaves behind a great legacy as one of the most consistent relievers in baseball for the better part of a decade and a half. While he will likely miss out on Cooperstown, he carved out a great career in the pros, and we wish him the best in retirement.
17-Year Veteran and Former Yankees Reliever Retires