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Former All-Star reliever David Robertson retires
by Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb
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Veteran reliever David Robertson, a former All-Star and consistent bullpen presence for nearly two decades, announced his retirement Friday after 17 big-league seasons.

The 40-year-old spent his final campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies. He made 20 regular-season appearances plus one more in the playoffs after they signed him in late July.

Robertson’s probably best known for his nine years with the New York Yankees, where he emerged as a key weapon in front of Mariano Rivera on their 2009 World Series-winning squad. He made his lone All-Star appearance as a Yankee in 2011 – a season in which he also earned downballot Cy Young and MVP votes after tallying 100 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings.

The Alabama native succeeded Rivera as New York’s closer in 2014 and saved a career-high 39 games before signing with the Chicago White Sox that winter. He was traded back to New York at the 2017 deadline.

Robertson hit a major roadblock in 2019 when elbow issues limited him to seven appearances with the Phillies, leading to Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2020. The procedure ultimately extended his career: Robertson returned late in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays and went on to pitch four more seasons, including a 2024 campaign with the Texas Rangers where he posted a 3.00 ERA in 68 games as a 39-year-old.

He retires having posted a 2.93 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP along with 1,176 strikeouts, 365 walks, and 179 saves across 881 big-league appearances with eight teams. Robertson – who worked entirely as a reliever, save for one start as an opener in 2021 – is one of just 16 pitchers to collect at least 1,000 Ks out of the bullpen. He ranks 10th all time in strikeouts by relievers.

Robertson was a staple of October, appearing in 10 different postseasons over his 17-year career. He didn’t allow a run in five outings to help the Yankees win the 2009 World Series, and he dominated during Philadelphia’s 2022 NL pennant run. He also helped the United States win the 2017 World Baseball Classic and earn a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Robertson will become eligible to appear on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2031.

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