Bert Roberge – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bert Roberge built an eight-year career as a relief pitcher, taking the mound for three Major League Baseball teams from 1979 to 1986. Born in Lewiston, Maine, this right-hander made his name with the Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, and Montreal Expos.

He officially retired from professional baseball at the end of the 1986 season. Performance struggles and bouncing between the majors and minors for three straight years finally caught up to him.

The journey to the majors started at the University of Maine, where he set the school’s career ERA record at 1.82 while pitching for the Black Bears from 1974 to 1977. His college numbers got him picked by the Houston Astros in the 17th round of the 1976 MLB Draft.

Roberge’s pro career spanned 146 games over eight seasons, ending with a 12-12 win-loss record and a 3.98 ERA.

From his promising rookie year with Houston to his last games with Montreal, Roberge’s path shows the ups and downs of a journeyman pitcher in the big leagues. His stats, pitching style, and what he did after baseball all tell the story of a dedicated athlete who repped Maine at the highest level before shifting to a career in sales.

Early Life and Background

Bertrand Roland Roberge was born on October 3, 1954, in Lewiston, Maine. His Maine roots ran deep from the start.

He went to the University of Maine, where he grew into a standout pitcher and set himself up for a shot at pro ball.

Birthplace and Family

Roberge grew up in Auburn, Maine, just next to Lewiston. He eventually made Auburn his permanent home.

His full name? Bertrand Roland Roberge. He stayed closely connected to Maine all his life.

After baseball, he moved back to Auburn, Maine, and that’s where he still lives. Maine shaped him, both on and off the field.

He attended Edward Little High School in Auburn. That local connection built his reputation in Maine’s baseball scene early on.

Education and College Baseball

Roberge played for the University of Maine from 1974 to 1977. He pitched for the Maine Black Bears during those four years.

His college career was impressive. He set the school’s career ERA record at 1.82.

In the summer of 1975, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He suited up for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, which gave him a taste of top college competition.

The Cape Cod League has a reputation for producing future big leaguers. That summer helped Roberge get ready for pro ball.

His standout stats caught the eyes of major league scouts. That ERA and his summer league work made him a real draft prospect.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Houston Astros picked Roberge in the 17th round of the 1976 MLB Draft. That came right after his strong college run.

He started his pro career in 1976 in the minors. Moving from college to pro ball kicked off his climb to the big leagues.

Roberge spent three years working his way through the Astros’ minor league system. He focused on relief pitching from the start.

Across his eleven-year pro career, he started only four games, all in the minors. That early move to the bullpen shaped everything that followed.

His effort in the minors finally paid off with his major league debut on May 28, 1979, for the Houston Astros.

MLB Debut and Early Career

Bert Roberge got his shot at the majors through the Houston Astros’ draft in 1976. He debuted in MLB on May 28, 1979, at age 24 and quickly showed he could handle relief pitching.

Draft by Houston Astros

The Astros selected Bertrand Roland Roberge in the 17th round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft. At the time, he was pitching for the University of Maine in Orono.

He came out of Edward Little High School in Auburn before college. The Astros saw something in the righty from Maine.

After the draft, Roberge spent three seasons climbing through the Astros’ minor league system. He moved up through different levels from 1976 to 1979.

The organization put time into developing him as a reliever. That work paid off once he reached the majors.

Major League Debut in 1979

Roberge made his MLB debut on May 28, 1979 against the San Diego Padres. He was 24 years old.

He became the 14,181st player to appear in a big-league game. In his debut, he threw 2 innings, allowed no hits or runs, but did walk two batters.

The Astros were having their best season up to that point. Roberge joined the team at a pretty exciting time.

His debut kicked off an eight-year MLB career. He’d end up playing for three teams before hanging it up in 1986.

Notable Early Performances

Roberge’s rookie season in 1979 made him a key bullpen arm for Houston. He pitched in 26 games and put up strong stats.

He finished his rookie year with a 3-0 record, 4 saves, and a 1.69 ERA. Not bad at all for a first-year reliever.

The 1980 season was a different story. He won both of his decisions, but his ERA shot up to 5.92.

That drop-off sent him back to the minors. The Astros won their first division title that year, but Roberge wasn’t on the roster by then.

He made it back to Houston in 1982. That year, he went 1-2 with 3 saves and a 4.21 ERA.

Professional Career Highlights

Bert Roberge stuck around for eight seasons as a reliever, ending with a 12-12 record over 146 games and three teams. His best season came in 1985 with Montreal, where he set career highs in games and innings pitched.

Time with Houston Astros

Roberge debuted for the Astros on May 28, 1979, at 24. His rookie year was his best with Houston.

He went 3-0 with 4 saves and finished with a 1.69 ERA in 26 games. That helped the Astros during a big year for the franchise.

In 1980, he kept a perfect 2-0 record but had control problems. His ERA climbed to 5.92.

That season sent him back to the minors before Houston clinched their first division title. He returned for one last season with Houston in 1982, going 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA and 3 saves.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

The White Sox picked up Roberge as a free agent before 1984. GM Roland Hemond liked his French-Canadian background.

Roberge pitched in 21 games for Chicago that year. He finished 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA in his only season there.

His performance caught the eye of other teams. That year set him up for his most productive stretch.

Chicago traded him to Montreal, getting Bryan Little in return. In a separate deal, closer Bob James also joined the White Sox.

Montreal Expos Contribution

The trade to the Montreal Expos in 1985 turned out to be the highlight of his career. His French-Canadian roots made him a fan favorite in Montreal.

In 1985, he had his busiest season in the majors. He pitched in 42 games and threw 68 innings, both career bests.

He finished that year 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 2 saves. Roberge worked as a middle reliever, setting up for closer Jeff Reardon along with Tim Burke and Gary Lucas.

French-language broadcasters used his full name, Bertrand, with the French pronunciation. His parents spoke French, and local media loved it.

The 1986 season was rough for Roberge. He struggled with consistency, finishing 0-4 with a 6.28 ERA.

He split that last year between the majors and minors. After eight years in the big leagues, that season brought his playing days to a close.

Pitching Style and Statistics

Bert Roberge finished with a 12-12 record and a 3.98 ERA over 146 games in six Major League seasons. His stats show a steady, reliable relief pitcher who did his job for three different teams.

Key Pitching Metrics

Roberge mostly worked as a middle reliever, sometimes spot starting. Over his six seasons, he struck out 119 batters and kept his ERA at 3.98.

In 1986 with Montreal, he had a tough go. He pitched 28.2 innings in 21 games, ending up with a 6.35 ERA.

Home vs. Road Performance (1986):

• Home: 10 games, 5.79 ERA, 14 innings, 12 hits allowed
• Road: 11 games, 6.97 ERA, 14.2 innings, 21 hits allowed

He definitely had a harder time on the road, giving up more hits per inning than at home.

Strengths and Unique Attributes

Roberge usually showed better control at home. In 1986, he walked just 3 at home but 7 on the road.

He gave up more home runs at home—2 in 14 innings—while keeping the ball in the park on the road.

Control Issues:

• 2 balks on the road in 1986
• 1 wild pitch away from home
• 1 hit batter at home

He could fill several roles out of the bullpen. Teams liked that flexibility during his stops with the Astros, White Sox, and Montreal Expos.

Performance Trends by Season

Roberge’s career started with the Astros in 1979, when he was 24. He debuted on May 28, 1979, which kicked off his steady pro run.

The 1986 season was his last in professional baseball. That year, he just couldn’t get it together, especially on the road, where his ERA went above 6.90.

Career Progression:

• Houston Astros (1979)
• Chicago White Sox
• Montreal Expos (finished in 1986)

His final season numbers showed why he retired. The jump from his career 3.98 ERA to 6.35 in 1986 said a lot.

Teams used him almost exclusively in relief in his later years. He pitched in 146 games, handling everything from middle relief to the occasional start.

Final MLB Seasons and 1986 Retirement

Bert Roberge wrapped up his Major League career with the Montreal Expos, pitching there from 1985 to 1986. His last season was a struggle, and after a tough year on the mound, he decided to retire from pro baseball.

Career with Montreal Expos

Roberge joined the Montreal Expos in 1985 after a short stint with the Chicago White Sox.

That first season in Montreal looked promising. He posted a 3.44 ERA in 42 appearances.

The veteran reliever pitched 68 innings and picked up 2 saves. He carved out a reliable spot in the bullpen.

He struck out 34 batters and walked 22, which showed decent control for a pitcher in his 30s.

Roberge brought valuable experience to the Expos’ relief corps. He appeared in 42 games, never starting, and settled into his role as a bullpen specialist.

In 1985, he put together one of his most productive years in terms of innings pitched. Logging 68 innings, he demonstrated durability and proved important to the team.

Challenges in Final Years

The 1986 season hit Roberge hard. His ERA ballooned to 6.28 across 21 appearances, a tough drop from the year before.

He managed just 28.2 innings and went 0-4. Opposing hitters really started to figure him out, leading to more runs scored.

Roberge bounced between the majors and minors for a third straight season. This constant movement made his role and effectiveness feel pretty uncertain.

His control mostly stuck around, but the results just weren’t there. Hitters who’d seen him before seemed to have his number.

Retirement Announcement and Legacy

After the 1986 season, Roberge decided to retire from professional baseball.

His last game came on October 4, 1986, just a day after his 32nd birthday.

He finished his career with a 12-12 record and a 3.98 ERA over 146 games in six seasons. He never started a game in the majors, carving out a niche as a relief specialist.

In 1988, Roberge earned induction into the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame. That honor recognized his impact on baseball and his place among Maine’s top athletes.

His career ran from 1979 to 1986, playing for three teams during that time. The University of Maine product left the game with 219.1 innings pitched and 119 strikeouts in the big leagues.

Post-Retirement Life and Recognition

After his six-year Major League Baseball career ended in 1986, Bert Roberge went back to his Maine roots and built a successful business career. He also picked up plenty of recognition as one of Maine’s top athletes.

His life after baseball has revolved around leading the family business and earning community honors.

Life After Baseball

Bert Roberge made the jump from professional baseball to the business world after retiring in 1986.

He joined the Curran Company, a family-owned business that had been around for over 40 years.

The company focuses on fresh cut vegetables. Roberge stepped into a leadership role with two of his brothers, helping run the operation.

This move kept him close to his Maine roots. As a Lewiston native, he built a second career in the food industry.

His business sense helped the family company grow. That transition from pro athlete to business owner seemed to work out well for him.

Community Involvement

Roberge kept his ties to Maine strong through all his post-retirement years.

His work with the Curran Company kept him involved in the local business scene.

The family business created jobs in the region, which made a real difference for the local economy.

His presence in Maine’s business world helped him stay connected to the state. Over time, he became a respected figure in both sports and business circles.

Recognition and Honors

Bert Roberge picked up some well-deserved recognition for his athletic achievements in 1988. That year, the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame inducted him into their class.

People really noticed his contributions to Maine athletics. The induction happened just two years after he wrapped up his professional baseball career.

Folks in Maine’s athletic community often talk about Roberge as one of the state’s all-time greats. He set the career ERA record at the University of Maine with a 1.82, which definitely helped his reputation.

The Hall of Fame induction put a spotlight on his impact in Maine sports. Both his college and pro baseball achievements earned him this lasting honor back home.