Jeriome Robertson

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Jeriome Robertson

|image=Jeriome Robertson.jpg

|position=Pitcher

|bats=Left

|throws=Left

|birth_date={{Birth date|1977|3|30}}

|birth_place=San Jose, California, U.S.

|death_date={{Death date and age|2010|5|29|1977|3|30}}

|death_place=Exeter, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=September 2

|debutyear=2002

|debutteam=Houston Astros

|debut2league = CPBL

|debut2date=July 15

|debut2year=2006

|debut2team=Uni-President Lions

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=July 21

|finalyear=2004

|finalteam=Cleveland Indians

|final2league = CPBL

|final2date=

|final2year=2007

|final2team=Uni-President Lions

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=16–12

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=5.71

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=111

|stat2league = CPBL

|stat21label=Win–loss record

|stat21value=8–7

|stat22label=Earned run average

|stat22value=3.59

|stat23label=Strikeouts

|stat23value=94

|teams=

Houston Astros ({{mlby|2002}}–{{mlby|2003}})
Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2004}})
Uni-President Lions ({{by|2006}}–{{by|2007}})

}}

Jeriome Paul Robertson (March 30, 1977 – May 29, 2010) was an American left-handed baseball pitcher who played three seasons in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians. In 51 pitching appearances (32 starts), Robertson posted a win–loss record of 16–12 with a 5.71 earned run average and 111 strikeouts in {{frac|184|1|3}} innings of work.

Robertson attended Exeter Union High School before being drafted by the Astros in 1995. He spent the next seven years moving up the minor league system before making his debut in September 2002. His most productive year was 2003, where he won 15 games and finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. He was traded to the Indians the following year, where he played in eight games before being demoted to the minor leagues. Robertson spent the next few years playing in various Minor League and independent baseball organizations, including the Mexican League, Chinese Professional Baseball League, Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League, and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.

Early life

Robertson attended Exeter Union High School in his hometown of Exeter, California, where he was a standout on the high school baseball team for three seasons.

Career

=High school=

During Robertson's senior high-school season, he played in the outfield and first base when he wasn't pitching. He finished the season with a .427 batting average and 24 runs batted in (RBI), as well as a win–loss record of 9–1 and an ERA of 0.95.{{cite news|title=Exeter High Pitchers Jeriome Robertson And Adam Pettyjohn Go Their Own All-Star Ways|work=The Fresno Bee|date=June 10, 1995}} For his efforts, he was named player of the year by The Fresno Bee and named to the All-State baseball team.{{cite news|title=Cal-Hi Gives Player Of Year Nod To Bullard Hurler Dale|work=The Fresno Bee|date=June 15, 1995}} The Houston Astros selected Robertson in the 24th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed a contract with them on August 22, 1995.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberje02.shtml|title=Jeriome Robertson Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 8, 2011}}

=Minor league =

Robertson started his professional baseball career the following season, in 1996. He spent most of the season with the Gulf Coast League Astros, the rookie-class Astros franchise, where he played alongside future teammate Wade Miller. He also played one game with the Kissimmee Cobras. In 13 pitching appearances with the Astros, all of them starts, Robertson had a record of 5–3, a 1.72 ERA, and 98 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=robert001jer|title=Jeriome Robertson Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=July 8, 2011}} For the 1997 season, Robertson was promoted to the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League. In 26 games for the River Bandits, Robertson had a record of 10–7, 135 strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.07.

The Astros promoted Robertson in 1998 to the class-A advanced affiliate Kissimmee Cobras of the Florida State League. In 28 games with the Cobras, Robertson pitched 175 total innings. He also had a 10–10 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 131 strikeouts. He was again promoted the following year to the Jackson Generals of the Texas League. At one point during the season, he went six weeks without earning a victory.{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Wangrin|title=After 8-1 win, Generals can look for sweep|work=Austin American-Statesman|date=May 24, 1999|page=C7}} He rebounded from the drought and finished the season with a 15–7 record and a 3.06 ERA; his 15 wins led all pitchers in the league.{{cite news|title=Express rallies to get back to first|first=Michael|last=Point|work=Austin American-Statesman|date=May 19, 2000|page=C6}} After the season ended, the Houston Astros purchased his contract, effectively placing him on the 40-man roster.{{cite news|title=Transactions|work=Hartford Courant|date=November 24, 1999|page=C5}}

Robertson did not play a game for the Astros during the 2000 season, and instead split his season between Kissimmee, the AAA-class New Orleans Zephyrs, and Jackson; the team was renamed to the Round Rock Express that season. He spent most of his time with the Express, where he was dubbed a "superprospect" during his time there. He won 5 games and lost 10 in 25 combined pitching appearances between the three clubs that year. Robertson spent the entire 2001 season with the Express; it was the only season of his professional career where he was used solely as a relief pitcher. In 57 appearances totaling just under 75 innings, he had a 5–1 record and a 3.91 ERA. He was promoted to the Zephyrs for most of the 2002 season, and while he was told he would continue his relief work, he impressed management enough to move back into the starting rotation before the season began.{{cite news|title=Exeter alumnus Robertson enjoying role as a starter|work=The Fresno Bee|date=June 18, 2002}} In 27 starts for the Zephyrs, Robertson had a 12–8 record, a league-leading 2.55 ERA, and 114 strikeouts en route to being named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year.{{cite news|title=Briefs|work=The Advocate|date=August 29, 2002|page=2E}} After the minor league season wrapped up at the end of August, the Astros purchased his contract and placed him on the major league roster.

=Major League Baseball=

Robertson made his MLB debut on September 2, 2002, against the Texas Rangers. He was starting in place of Roy Oswalt, who was serving a suspension for hitting a batter with a pitch.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LuJPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0AgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1596,1061456|title=Rangers win interleague game|work=Ocala Star-Banner|page=4D|date=September 3, 2002}} He allowed two runs in {{frac|2|2|3}} innings and got the loss in his only start that year. He got his second decision in a 5–2 loss to the San Francisco Giants on September 28. In the game, the Giants clinched a playoff spot, and Barry Bonds hit a home run off Robertson into McCovey Cove to seal the game for them.{{cite news|title=Giants seal wild-card berth ; Bonds HR makes big splash in win over the Astros|work=Toronto Star|date=September 29, 2002|page=E4}} He finished the season with a 6.52 ERA in {{frac|9|2|3}} innings pitched.

As the 2003 season began, Robertson was competing alongside Brad Lidge, Kirk Saarloos, and Pete Munro for the final spot in the Astros' starting rotation.{{cite news|title=National League: Who's up, down|work=USA Today|date=February 10, 2003|page=C7|first=Chuck|last=Johnson}} He pitched the entire month of spring training, and when the season began he was granted the final spot in the rotation.{{cite news|title=Phil Rogers Sizes Up The National League|first=Phil|last=Rogers|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 31, 2003|page=10}} Robertson made his season debut on April 3, and allowed eight earned runs in {{frac|4|1|3}} innings, losing the match against the Colorado Rockies 10–5.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3hVZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iUYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6682,603126|title=Cruz's return hands Astros first defeat|first=Michael A.|last=Lutz|work=The Victoria Advocate|page=1B|date=April 4, 2003}} He got his first career victory on April 10, allowing two hits in seven innings in a 4–2 victory against the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite news|title=Rockies Wiggle Past Cards, Armas, Montreal Avoid Chicago Sweep|work=San Jose Mercury News|page=5D|date=April 11, 2003}} He struggled in his next three starts, and by the end of April Robertson had a 1–3 record and an ERA of 7.99, which caused manager Jimy Williams to consider moving him back to the bullpen.{{cite news|title=DeRosa's HR Lifts Braves Past Astros|work=Macon Telegraph|page=1C|date=May 2, 2003}} After a May 2 matchup against the Atlanta Braves further increased his ERA, Robertson was demoted to the minor leagues, but only played with the Zephyrs for one game before being placed back on the major league roster ten days later.{{cite news|title=Griffey Jr. Rehabbing On The Road With Reds|work=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=May 13, 2003|page=D4}}

In a May 22 matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, Robertson allowed one run and four hits in a 5–2 victory; after the game, catcher Gregg Zaun said that it was "absolutely the best he's thrown."{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230522118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030817204913/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230522118|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 17, 2003|title=Robertson wins for first time in more than a month|publisher=ESPN|date=May 22, 2003|access-date=July 9, 2011}} After the win against the Cardinals, Robertson won his next two starts, then he had three more matchups with a no-decision.{{cite news|title=Good news and bad for Palmeiro|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|page=5|date=June 22, 2003}} Robertson continued to win games over the following months, and on July 22, he won a match against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2–0. In the game, Robertson allowed three hits in what was his ninth victory in a row without a loss, as well as his sixth victory in his past six starts for Houston.{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230722123|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030919011301/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230722123|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2003|title=Robertson helps Astros avoid being swept by Pirates|work=ESPN|date=July 22, 2003|access-date=July 9, 2011}} His streak ended on July 27, as he only lasted {{frac|1|2|3}} innings in a 5–3 loss to the Chicago Cubs in what was at the time the shortest start of his major league career.{{cite news|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230727118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019201124/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230727118|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2012|title=Sosa ties Williams, McCovey on career HR list|work=ESPN|date=July 27, 2003|access-date=July 9, 2011}} A month later, Robertson broke the team record for most victories by a left-handed rookie pitcher when he notched his 13th win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 2.{{cite news|title=Astros 8, Dodgers 2|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=September 4, 2003|page=D8}} His last start of the season on September 26, however, was his worst; he only pitched a third of an inning, allowed three earned runs, and threw 7 of 18 pitches for strikes as the Milwaukee Brewers won, 12–5.{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230926118|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730130353/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230926118|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Sexson feasts on Astros' pitching|work=ESPN|date=September 26, 2003|access-date=July 10, 2011}} Robertson finished the 2003 season with 15 victories, 9 losses, a 5.10 ERA, and 99 strikeouts. He also finished in seventh place for the Rookie of the Year Award.

Before the 2004 season began, the Houston Astros signed Andy Pettitte to boost their starting rotation. As a result, Robertson found himself battling with Tim Redding, Jared Fernandez, Carlos Hernández and Brandon Duckworth for the final spot in the rotation.{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040116&content_id=628494&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null|first=Alyson|last=Footer|title=Palmeiro signs one-year deal|work=MLB.com|date=January 16, 2004|access-date=July 10, 2011}} After Roger Clemens was signed as well, the Astros decided before spring training began that Robertson would pitch out of the bullpen for the season.{{cite news|title=Cubs and Astros Reload: All Eyes on Star-Studded Astros at Spring Training|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|first=Mark|last=Babineck|page=D1|date=February 22, 2004}} By the end of spring training, Robertson failed to crack the bullpen, and was to be demoted to the Zephyrs. On March 31, just before the season started, the Astros traded Robertson to the Cleveland Indians for Luke Scott and Willy Taveras.{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040331&content_id=675234&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null|title=Robertson says farewell, thanks|work=MLB.com|date=March 31, 2004|access-date=July 10, 2011}}

Robertson originally pitched for the Buffalo Bisons, the Indians' AAA-class affiliate in the minor leagues. He played with them for the first three months of the season, with the exception of one game on April 20 against the Kansas City Royals.{{cite news|title=Alomar Breaks Hand|work=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=April 21, 2004|page=D6}} In 14 appearances with Buffalo, 12 of them starts, Robertson had a 4–5 record with a 7.27 ERA. The Indians called Robertson up to the major league roster on June 25 after placing Rafael Betancourt on the disabled list.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1830114|title=Indians hurler leaves after eight pitches|work=ESPN|date=June 25, 2004|access-date=July 10, 2011}} In eight games for the Indians, Robertson had a record of 1–1 and a 12.21 ERA. In his final appearance in the major leagues, a July 21 game against the Chicago White Sox, Robertson was ejected after hitting Magglio Ordóñez with a pitch in the fifth inning.{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240721105|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813160758/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240721105|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2004|title=Left-hander didn't allow runner till 7th|work=ESPN|date=July 21, 2004|access-date=July 10, 2011}}

After being demoted back to Buffalo, the Indians traded Robertson on August 3 to the Montreal Expos for Pierre-Luc Marceau. He pitched in seven games for the Edmonton Trappers to end the season, finishing with a 1–3 record and a 5.73 ERA. He was on the Expos' 40-man roster for September, but did not play a game for them, and in October he was removed from the roster. In November, the Cincinnati Reds signed him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.{{cite news|first=John|last=Fay|title=Reds pick up non-roster players, re-sign Hall|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=November 12, 2004|page=B3}} During spring training in 2005, Robertson competed with Aaron Harang, Brandon Claussen, Luke Hudson, and Josh Hancock for two spots in the Reds' rotation.{{cite news|title=Battle of the arms goes on|first=John|last=Fay|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|page=C8|date=March 5, 2005}} At the end of spring training, he was assigned to the Reds' minor league squad, the Louisville Bats. Robertson spent the season there, pitching in 28 games, 18 of them starts, and ended the year with a 5–11 record and a 5.46 ERA. After the season ended, Robertson was released, becoming a free agent.

In March 2006, Robertson signed with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. He pitched in two games for them, then on May 10 his contract was sold to the New York Mets.{{cite news|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3308361|title=Bears Robertson Sold to Mets|work=Our Sports Central|date=May 10, 2006|access-date=July 10, 2011}} He spent the next couple months pitching for the Mets' minor league team, the Norfolk Tides, where he pitched in 11 games, finishing with a 1–6 record and a 7.68 ERA. After being released from the Mets, Robertson spent the rest of the season pitching for the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Huang|title=Robertson helps to sink Whales|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2006/09/08/2003326754|work=Taipei Times|date=September 8, 2006|access-date=July 10, 2011}}

Robertson re-signed with the Newark Bears in 2007. For the season, he pitched in 14 games and went 5–5 with a 4.89 ERA. At the end of June, the Bears sold Robertson's contract to the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League.{{cite news|title=Newark deals Robertson's contract to Mexico|work=Visalia Times-Delta|date=July 4, 2007|page=B1}} After a month there, in which he pitched four games, going 1–3 with a 5.54 ERA, he returned to Newark to finish the season with the Bears, in what was his last professional baseball appearance.

Personal life

Robertson had two sons and lived in Exeter, California. On May 29, 2010, Robertson died in Exeter in a motorcycle accident. He was taking a turn at an estimated {{convert|70|mph|kph}} when he lost control.{{cite web |url=https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_180,q_auto:best/v1/people/111111/headshot/67/current |title=Robertson killed in auto accident |website=Minor League Baseball |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=July 18, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://thesungazette.com/article/news/2010/06/02/exeter-pitcher-dies-in-motorcycle-accident/ |title=Exeter pitcher dies in motorcycle accident |website=thesungazette.com |first=Andrea |last=Camarena |date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=July 18, 2020}} He is buried at the Exeter District Cemetery.[http://fsg.stparchive.com/Archive/FSG/FSG06092010p11.php The Foothills Sun-Gazette]