WHY ROBERTSON DESERVES AN ALL-STAR BID

This season David Robertson has easily became the second most valuable member out of the Yankee bullpen. He's behind Mariano Rivera of course. But, at the start of the season when Joba Chamberlain and Rafael Soriano were healthy, Robertson was stuck as the sixth inning pitcher, with Joba pitching the seventh, and Soriano in the eighth. With injuries to both of those guys, Robertson has emerged as the teams main setup man, and he may remain the setup man due in part to Joba being out all year and Soriano having elbow issues, and being ineffective thus far.

Despite the setup role being handed to him by default, Robertson has earned it. In 37 games this season he has a sparkling 1.05 ERA. What's even more impressive is that in his 34.1 innings pitched, he's punched out 55 batters! That's 14.4 K's per nine innings pitched. He's been beyond dominant this season. Here's some more perspective on his dominance. Last season DRob struck out 71 batters in 61.1 innings pitched, and the year prior he punched out 63 in 43.2 innings. We're right past the halfway point of the season, and DRob is on pace to punch out more than 100 batters, and not to mention, Robertson has yet to allow a home run this year. He deserves a bid to the Mid-Summer classic, no doubt. My opinion, Robertson was left out in the dark on this one.

Now, some people may think, "Don't only closers make it to the All Star Game?" Wrong. Here is the 2010 All-Star Roster HERE. Middle Relievers have made the All Star game before. Evan Meek of the Pirates? Matt Thornton of the White Sox? This season in the American League, only one middle reliever has made it, in Aaron Crow of the Kansas City Royals.

Also, not only is Robertson great overall statistically, but, he has become the Houdini, as Joba likes to call him, for the Yanks in the bullpen.
(In Photo: Harry Houdini)
Joe Girardi has complete confidence in DRob to come into a tough spot late in the game to get out of huge jams. Those kinda things don't always show in the box score, but I've seen just about every pitch of every Yankee game this season, and whenever Joe calls on him, DRob gets out of it just about every time. He's been so valuable this season, and without him--to go along with the injuries--the Yankees pen would be in shambles.

With that being said, it's a disgrace to Ron Washington--the manager of the AL All Stars--his staff, and the rest of the players around the American League who help in deciding on who should make the All Star team, for not picking this guy. I personally believe that baseball writers across America should decide who makes the All-Star team. Those guys know who everyone is around Major League Baseball, unlike the managers, coaches, and players who only focus mostly on their team and the big name guys. And sure, some writers may be biased, but I think it would be a good move for Major League Baseball to change the way in the voting for the reserves. It's a complete joke that DRob is off the AL squad. Heck, he could close for more than half the teams in the majors this season, and that's just a fact.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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