Relief pitcher Robertson concludes a 17-year career, known as "Big Heart" both on and off the field.

When David Robertson entered the scene as a Yankees rookie in 2008, this Alabama-born, youthful pitcher appeared not yet ready to take on the high-pressure challenges that relief pitchers encounter in the final innings.

On June 29, 2008, at Shea Stadium facing the New York Mets, Robertson made his major league debut. In front of 56,277 fans, his nervousness was clear, less than two years after being selected by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 draft.

His performance was not bad: he pitched two innings, giving up four hits and one run, with one strikeout. However, his anxiety was evident: a wild pitch sailed behind home plate, and he appeared uneasy during postgame interviews. Many observers back then probably thought this young pitcher lacked the mental toughness for critical moments.

Nearly two decades later, those early judgments proved wrong as Robertson repeatedly demonstrated remarkable inner strength.

Now 40 years old, Robertson officially announced his retirement today via Instagram, ending a 17-year career spanning eight teams. He reached the playoffs ten times, helped Team USA win the 2017 World Baseball Classic, and earned a silver medal at the 2021 Summer Olympics.

Robertson's resilience began to show in 2009 when he became a key member of the Yankees’ World Series championship team and was the last player from that squad to retire. His frequent ability to escape late-game jams earned him the nickname "Houdini."

Interestingly, even as he evolved into a more efficient and reliable bullpen asset, the nickname stuck throughout his career. In 2011, Robertson was selected for the American League All-Star team and received Cy Young and MVP votes. That season, he appeared in 70 games with an ERA of just 1.08. After two seasons as a top setup man, he replaced Mariano Rivera as the Yankees’ closer in 2014, recording 39 saves and starting a streak of three consecutive seasons with over 30 saves.

"Even during the years when he was Rivera’s setup man, David already acted like a closer in crucial moments," said former Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "There was never a big situation he couldn't handle. I always had complete confidence in him."

While shining on the mound, Robertson’s most admirable contributions happened off the field.

In 2011, when a deadly tornado struck Alabama and hit his hometown of Tuscaloosa, David and his wife Erin took decisive action by founding the "High Socks Hope Foundation." The foundation’s name reflects David’s signature style—he always wore his baseball pants pulled up to reveal long socks.

Initially aimed at helping residents who suddenly lost their homes, the foundation gradually expanded its scope. Whenever hurricanes or superstorms displace people, this "High Socks" pitcher brings hope when it’s needed most.

David and Erin not only raised funds to rebuild houses but also personally joined cleanup efforts in disaster areas. They gathered industrial-grade cleaning supplies and witnessed families tearfully sorting through destroyed photo albums and heirlooms.

Like a true relief pitcher, David never shies away from the "cleanup" task. He has participated in home rebuilding projects around Chicago, installing drywall and repairing roofs himself.

Throughout this process, David’s goodwill has grown—he and Erin actively support homeless veterans, critically ill children, and pancreatic cancer research (Erin’s father passed away from the disease in 2016). Due to his outstanding contributions, David has been nominated twice for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.

To date, the "High Socks Hope Foundation" has helped build and furnish about 20,000 homes across 17 states in the U.S. It is currently focused on rebuilding homes in Jamaica damaged by Hurricane Melissa last fall.

"David’s many good deeds have not yet received enough recognition," said Judy Holland, Executive Director of the High Socks Hope Foundation. "He has a big heart and has given his all from day one, never giving up."

"Rescuer" perfectly describes Robertson. Whether on the mound or amid the ruins of someone’s former home, he always steps up to help resolve crises. The job is never easy, but he fulfills his duties with unwavering dedication.

From a baseball perspective, this chapter of his career has closed. But on the broader stage of life, his mission to aid others continues.