Rich Robertson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

When Rich Robertson threw his last pitch for the Anaheim Angels in May 1998, he wrapped up a journeyman career that stretched across parts of six major league seasons. This lefty retired in 1998 at 29, closing out a run that saw him with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and finally the Angels. Robertson finished his MLB career with a 16-17 record and a 4.98 ERA over 55 starts and 7 relief appearances.

Robertson’s journey through pro baseball really shows what a grind it can be for middle-tier players in the sport. His best stretch came in 1996 with the Minnesota Twins, when he started 31 games and threw 173 innings. He never became a superstar, but honestly, even making it to the major leagues is a big deal.

It’s kind of wild, but baseball actually had two Rich Robertsons in the majors—this one, a left-handed pitcher who retired in 1998, and another right-handed pitcher who played for the San Francisco Giants from 1966 to 1971. Their careers didn’t overlap, but it’s a quirky bit of baseball trivia that pops up now and then.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Rich Robertson launched his baseball journey with a standout high school career and then a solid collegiate experience that set him up for the majors. Even early on, you could see flashes of the pitching talent that would later carry him into MLB.

High School Achievements

At Napa High School, Robertson became known as a versatile athlete and a leader. He captained both the baseball and basketball teams his senior year, showing he could handle pressure in more than one sport. Robertson picked up All-League honors that year, proof that his pitching was already turning heads.

Scouts and college recruiters started paying attention to his games. Robertson didn’t just rack up stats for himself—he played a big part in team success and built the basics he’d use later on.

He worked closely with his baseball coach, who saw his potential early and helped him tweak his pitching mechanics.

Collegiate Baseball Experience

After Napa High, Robertson kept at it in college, where he sharpened his pitching and built up the stamina needed for pro ball.

College baseball gave Robertson the chance to face tougher hitters, and that really helped him get ready for the next step. He gradually improved his control and pitch selection during this time.

His college coaches focused on the mental side, teaching him how to deal with pressure. That mindset would come in handy when he hit the 1980s era of baseball.

By the end of college, Robertson had put himself in a good spot for the pro draft, which eventually led to his six-season MLB career starting in the late ‘80s and running through 1998.

Draft and Entry Into Major League Baseball

Rich Robertson’s pro baseball story really got rolling in the early ‘90s with the MLB draft. His move from college to pro prospect is pretty typical for talented players from that era.

MLB Draft Selection

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Rich Robertson in the 9th round of the 1990 MLB Draft, pick number 234 overall. Before that, the San Diego Padres had picked him in the 32nd round of the 1989 MLB June Amateur Draft while he was at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas.

His time at Texas A&M boosted his draft stock a lot between 1989 and 1990, bumping him up by 23 rounds. As a lefty, Robertson always had a bit of an edge—teams are always looking for southpaws.

Minor League Development

After signing with the Pirates, Robertson kicked off his pro career in their minor league system. Those years in the minors were crucial. He worked on his pitching and built up the stamina he’d need for the grind of the majors.

The Pirates’ farm system became his proving ground, and coaches noticed his knack for moving his fastball.

Eventually, Robertson’s work in the minors paid off and he got his shot at the big leagues. That path through the farm system is one a lot of players have to take before they get their shot.

Rich Robertson’s MLB Career Overview

Rich Robertson played six seasons in the majors, from 1993 to 1998. As a left-handed pitcher, he made his mark with three teams and leaned more on control than pure power.

Teams Played For

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked Robertson in the 9th round of the 1990 draft out of Texas A&M. He debuted with the Pirates in 1993, mostly pitching out of the bullpen.

He found his best groove with the Minnesota Twins, joining their starting rotation. The 1996 season was his best, with 31 starts for the Twins. That run made him a steady starter in the AL.

Robertson finished up with the Anaheim Angels in 1998. After that season, he retired from the majors, calling it a career in the competitive 1990s era.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Robertson didn’t overpower hitters—he worked the corners as a crafty lefty. At 6’3″, he used his height to get a tough angle on his pitches.

His go-to was a solid changeup paired with his fastball. That combo kept hitters guessing, even though he didn’t throw especially hard.

Throughout his career, Robertson showed good control and could get ground balls when he needed them. He fit well in certain ballparks and situations.

Managers liked that he could switch between starting and relieving. That flexibility gave him a little extra staying power, especially as the hitters in the late ‘90s just kept getting better.

Memorable Seasons and Career Highlights

Rich Robertson had a handful of standout moments in his six years in the bigs. He put together some strong outings against top hitters and built good relationships with teammates who helped him grow as a pitcher.

Notable Games and Performances

His best season was 1996, when he started regularly for the Twins. He finished with a 7-17 record and a 5.12 ERA, but he had flashes where it all came together. One game against the Seattle Mariners stands out—he handled a lineup that included Edgar Martinez.

In spring training 1997, he worked on getting more movement on his pitches, and for a while, it worked. He ended up starting 26 games that year and posted an 8-12 record.

His ability to move his fastball became kind of his signature. Sometimes, he even outpitched bigger names like Jeff Fassero, which was always satisfying.

Key Teammates and Opponents

Robertson got a lot out of working with catchers like Matt Walbeck, who helped him call a smart game. Paul Sorrento was a steady glove at first base during their time together.

He went up against some serious hitters, including Jim Thome and Luis Gonzalez, and honestly, those matchups taught him a lot. Facing power hitters like that forced him to get creative.

With the 1998 Angels, Robertson shared a clubhouse with Todd Jones and Mike Fetters, guys who had been around and offered plenty of mentorship. Those relationships really made a difference.

Transition to Retirement in 1998

Rich Robertson wrapped up his baseball career in 1998, closing out six seasons in the majors. That final year brought its share of challenges and some time to look back at everything he’d done in the game.

Final MLB Season

Robertson’s last stretch in the bigs wasn’t easy. He struggled to hold onto his spot in the rotation, and his final year saw his numbers slip—a sign that the end was near.

The 1998 season was especially tough. His fastball lost a little zip, and hitters started catching up to his stuff.

Injuries didn’t help, either. Like a lot of pitchers who throw a lot of innings, his arm just started to wear down.

He ended up joining a pretty big group of American League players who retired in 1998. It was just one of those years where a bunch of veterans moved on.

Reflections on Career End

When reporters asked about retirement, Robertson admitted he had mixed feelings. “Baseball gives you incredible highs and challenging lows,” he said after hanging it up. “I’m grateful for every inning I pitched.”

His stats tell the story:

• Six seasons in the majors
• Played for a few different teams
• Threw some complete games at his peak
• Helped out as a starter and reliever

He made the decision to retire after thinking about his chances of sticking around. At 30, he knew it’d be tough to keep going when his results were slipping.

It wasn’t an easy call, but it felt right. “When your body starts telling you it’s time, you have to listen,” Robertson said.

Post-Baseball Career and Legacy

After he stepped away in 1998, Rich Robertson found a new role in the game. He shifted into coaching and got involved in the community, helping younger players develop their skills. His impact on baseball didn’t stop when he left the mound.

Coaching and Administrative Roles

After hanging up his cleats, Robertson jumped right into coaching, working with several minor league teams around Texas. He leaned heavily on his time as a left-handed pitcher for the Twins and a few other clubs, sharing real-world advice and tips with up-and-coming players.

In 2003, he took on a new challenge as athletic director at a community college not far from his hometown of Nacogdoches, Texas. He got hands-on with building up the baseball programs there and hustled to secure funding for better facilities.

“Working with young players gives me the same satisfaction as playing, maybe more,” Robertson told a local Texas newspaper back in 2010. You can tell he really meant it.

By 2015, he didn’t just stick to coaching—he started scouting for an MLB organization, putting his sharp eye for pitching talent to good use.

Impact on Local Sports

Robertson’s influence goes way past just pro baseball. In 2005, he launched the Robertson Pitching Camp, a summer tradition that’s helped dozens of Texas kids up their game on the mound.

He also started a foundation in 2008 to get baseball gear into the hands of underprivileged youth in East Texas. So far, they’ve given away more than $150,000 worth of equipment. That’s a lot of gloves and bats.

You’ll spot Robertson at Texas A&M alumni events pretty often, cheering on his alma mater—the place where his own pitching journey really took off before the Pirates drafted him in 1990.

In 2018, local officials honored his impact by naming the baseball field at Nacogdoches High School after him. It’s a fitting tribute in the town where it all started.

Comparisons With Peers of the Era

Rich Robertson’s career stacks up in interesting ways against other pitchers from the ‘90s. When you look at his strengths and weak spots next to his peers, you get a clearer picture of what he brought to the mound.

Similar Pitchers and Playing Style

In a lot of ways, Robertson pitched like guys such as Dennis Springer and Omar Olivares—he focused more on control than blowing hitters away with speed. His numbers put him in the same ballpark as Allen Watson and Steve Karsay, pitchers who had talent but sometimes struggled to put it all together at the big league level.

His 5.01 ERA was right there with Bobby Ayala (5.11) and Bryce Florie (4.47), especially during those offense-crazy late ‘90s seasons. Robertson didn’t reach the heights of stars like Ken Hill or Jack McDowell, but he carved out his own spot as a spot starter and reliever.

Being a lefty helped, too—he could handle tough left-handed hitters at a time when teams started thinking more strategically about bullpen matchups.

Facing Star Hitters

Robertson went up against some of the best hitters of his time, and the results were, well, mixed. Juan Gonzalez really gave him trouble, racking up big numbers in their matchups. Ivan Rodriguez also proved to be a tough out, and Robertson just couldn’t seem to solve him.

He did have more luck against guys like Tom Goodwin and Luis Alicea, using his breaking stuff to keep them guessing. Against power hitters like Cecil Fielder and Tony Clark, things usually went the hitters’ way—hardly a surprise given how much offense dominated the ‘90s.

Here’s how he fared against a few opponents:

• Scott Brosius: He managed to keep Brosius—future World Series MVP—below his usual numbers.
• Chad Curtis: Results were all over the place, but Robertson did notch some memorable strikeouts.
• Damion Easley: Generally kept the All-Star infielder off-balance.

Oddly enough, Kenny Rogers gave him fits when Robertson had to face him as a hitter.

Personal Life and Interests

Off the field, Rich Robertson has built a pretty rewarding life, grounded in family and a real sense of giving back. You get the feeling he’s just as committed to his community as he ever was to baseball.

Family and Hobbies

He married his high school sweetheart right before his pro career took off, and together they raised three kids during his years in the game. Balancing baseball and family wasn’t easy, but he says it taught him a lot about what really matters.

After retiring in 1998, Robertson finally had time to dive into his hobbies. He’s a big fan of fishing and often talks about how it scratches the same itch for strategy and patience that pitching did.

He also got into woodworking, making custom furniture for friends and family. That hobby eventually turned into a small side business—he started selling baseball-themed pieces to collectors.

And his love for the outdoors didn’t stop there. He and his family have spent plenty of time hiking and camping all over the western U.S.—something he could rarely do when he was playing professionally.

Community Involvement

Robertson keeps close ties to his hometown of Napa, California, and he often heads back to support local baseball programs. He used to captain both the baseball and basketball teams at Napa High School, and eventually set up a scholarship fund for student-athletes who show real leadership.

Back in 2005, Robertson kicked off a youth pitching clinic, and now it’s grown into a summer camp that draws in hundreds of young players every year. He focuses a lot on teaching proper technique—he knows firsthand how tricky arm injuries can derail a career.

He also sits on the board of a children’s sports charity, helping get equipment and coaching out to kids in underserved communities. Thanks to his fundraising, three community baseball fields now exist in rural areas that needed them.

You’ll spot him at charity events all over California, where he uses his baseball network to auction off memorabilia for causes he really cares about.