NEWSLETTER
Who doesn’t dream of taking an at bat in the big leagues? MLB relievers: they’re just like us.
Chicago Cubs closer David Robertson is among those dreamers, and last night, thanks to the Cubs blowing out the Pirates, he got to take an at bat in a Major League Baseball game, albeit against a position player pitching. It still counts!
As a matter of fact, this was his first ever professional at bat at any level, and he actually hadn’t batted in a game since high school. The 37-year-old Robertson was giddy like a kid:
He wasn’t going to take that walk. He wanted to swing. I get it. For him, I wish he’d wrecked one, but for me – the Cubs fan – I’m kinda glad the team’s closer was not in a position to try to leg out a hit. Remember the Pedro Strop incident?
As long as no obliques were pulled or wrists were bothered, it’s all in good fun. Good for Robertson:
David Robertson had asked David Ross if he could bat if the DH spot came up after an inning in which he’d pitched, so this was in the works if things broke just the right way.
Robertson’s teammates were undoubtedly enjoying the moment, too, and that includes their after-the-game shenanigans (Cubs.com): “It’s just a fun atmosphere,” Robertson said. “I get ribbed in the dugout, and then I get the lineup card from my first at-bat and get told how bad I stink after the game. We were having a great time. It’s nice to have days like that.”
And hey, at least Robertson gets to be a part of history:
