David Robertson Is Retiring After 17 Seasons

The last link to the Yankees’ glory days is gone. David Robertson, the reliever who helped bring a championship to the Bronx and became one of baseball’s most reliable arms over 17 seasons, announced his retirement today, and it stings more than fans expected.

Robertson dropped the news on social media Friday, thanking teammates, coaches, and everyone who made his journey possible. After nearly two decades of high-stakes innings, the 40-year-old is stepping away to spend time with family and focus on his charity work.

The End of an Era Nobody Saw Coming

Here’s what hits different: Robertson wasn’t just another reliever. He was the last active player from the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team. Read that again. Zero players from that roster are still playing. That championship feels like yesterday for longtime fans, but Robertson’s exit just made it history.

Over 17 seasons, Robertson appeared in 881 games and piled up numbers that most relievers only dream about. He finished with 179 saves, struck out 1,176 batters, and posted a sparkling 2.93 ERA. Those aren’t just stats — they’re proof of how elite he was at baseball’s most volatile position.

He finished 68–46 in his career and appeared in 43 postseason games across 10 different postseasons; he also represented Team USA (WBC gold, 2017) and won an Olympic silver in Tokyo (2021).

Read also: How Many Yankees World Series Appearances & Wins?

From Houdini to Legend

Robertson earned the nickname “Houdini” early in his career, and it stuck for good reason. He had this uncanny ability to escape jams and shut down opposing lineups in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. Drafted by the Yankees in the 17th round back in 2006, he made his debut in 2008 and quickly became a bullpen staple.

His peak years were something special. Robertson made the All-Star team in 2011 and racked up at least 34 saves per season from 2014 to 2016 while bouncing between the Yankees and Chicago White Sox. When Mariano Rivera retired in 2013, Robertson stepped into the closer role and didn’t flinch — he saved 39 games in 2014 with a 3.08 ERA.

But his most memorable performance might be the 2017 Wild Card Game. After the Yankees reacquired him at the trade deadline that year, Robertson threw 3.1 scoreless innings against Minnesota, struck out five, and sealed an 8-4 victory. Clutch doesn’t even begin to describe it.

More Than Just Baseball

He pitched for eight MLB clubs (including multiple stints in New York) and appeared in parts of nine seasons and 501 games for the Yankees, though he also had stops in Chicago, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, New York (Mets), Miami, and Texas. He spent seven-plus seasons in pinstripes across two separate stints, and that 2009 championship cemented his legacy in the Bronx.

His final season came in 2025 with Philadelphia, where he made 20 appearances and notched two saves before calling it a career. But Robertson’s impact extends far beyond the diamond. His High Socks for Hope foundation and disaster relief work in his home state of Alabama have made a real difference in people’s lives.

In his retirement statement, Robertson expressed deep gratitude for the game and everyone who supported him. “Baseball has given me more than I ever dreamed possible over the last 17 seasons,” he wrote. “Saying goodbye isn’t easy, but I do so with deep gratitude for every opportunity, challenge, and memory.”

What Happens Next

So what’s next for Robertson? Nobody knows for sure. Will he transition into coaching? Does broadcasting interest him? Could he become a full-time agent since he famously represented himself during contract negotiations?

What we do know is that baseball just lost one of its steadiest and most respected relievers. Teams across the league are already looking at their bullpens differently, wondering who can fill the Robertson-shaped hole in late-inning reliability.

For Yankees fans especially, this retirement marks the official end of the 2009 championship era. No active player remains from that magical season. It’s a reminder that time doesn’t stop for anyone, not even the players who gave us those unforgettable October moments.

Robertson walked away on his own terms after giving everything to the game. And that’s exactly how legends should go out.