After accepting a short-term contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, waiting until the middle of the previous season for a team to sign him. After announcing his baseball retirement on social media on Friday on Instagram and X (previously Twitter), it turned out to be the final year Robertson would pitch in the major leagues.
Robertson was an MLB pitcher for 17 seasons. Playing for Team USA, helping the team win the World Baseball Classic in 2017, and being a member of the Summer Olympic Games silver medal team in 2021 were some of his best career moments.
“To all the incredible organizations, teammates, coaches, staff members, and fans who have been part of my baseball journey,” Robertson opened his greeting. “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. Over the past 19 seasons, baseball has given me more than I could have ever imagined.
David Robertson spent three seasons with the Phillies in his lengthy career
The Birmingham, Alabama, native, played for the New York Yankees (2008-14, 2017-18), Chicago White Sox (2015-17), Phillies (2019, 2022, 2025), Tampa Bay Rays (2021), Chicago Cubs (2022), New York Mets (2023), Miami Marlins (2023), and Texas Rangers (2024) during his MLB career.
The right-hander participated in two World Series—one with the Yankees in 2009 and one with the Phillies in 2022—and advanced to the postseason in ten of his seventeen seasons. In 2009, he and New York won a title. The 17-year veteran finished his career with a 68-46 record, 2.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 1176 strikeouts, 365 walks, and 179 saves in 239 attempts.
Joe Girardi, Robertson’s manager over the most of his tenure pitching with the Yankees, commented about the veteran pitcher upon the news of his retirement , citing MLB.com’s Sweeny Murti.
Girardi remarked, “David was a closer when you needed him, even in all the years he set up for [Mariano Rivera], Murti.” No moment was ever too huge for him. I always had the highest confidence in him.
Robertson is also noted for his charitable contributions. He and his wife, Erin, founded the David and Erin Robertson Foundation, High Socks for Hope, in response to the devastating storms that hit his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 2011.
Executive Director of High Socks for Hope, Judy Holland, commented on Robertson’s generous generosity. “I just don’t think David gets the recognition he deserves for all the things he does,” Holland remarked, via Murti. “His heart is big. He got right into it and hasn’t stopped since.
During his long MLB career, Robertson played for both teams in New York and Chicago, two of the biggest sports cities. He also had a unique three stints with one club, the Phillies. The right-hander accomplished a lot during his stint as a pitcher.
Robertson concluded his parting speech by saying, “Saying goodbye isn’t easy.” However, I do so with profound appreciation for each chance, difficulty, and memory. I will always be grateful for the game and everyone who helped make this experience truly remarkable.
