Brian Roberts announces retirement from baseball

Long-time Baltimore Orioles’ second baseman, who spent one season as a member of the New York Yankees, Brian Roberts announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Friday.

Sep 7, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts (1) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the White Sox 4-3 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Roberts spent 13 of his 14 MLB seasons in Baltimore signed with the Yankees after the 2013 season at the age of 36. Roberts, who recently turned 37, was released by the Yankees in August after somewhat of a lackluster season.

Although Roberts really hasn’t had a characteristic “Brian Roberts” season since 2010. From 2001-2009 Roberts averaged 126 games a season. Excluding his rookie and sophomore seasons before he was the everyday starter at second base for Orioles, he averaged playing in 146 games a season.

During his career up until 2009, Roberts was elected to the All-Star team twice, led the league in stolen bases with 50 in 2007 and led the league in doubles twice in 2oo4 (50) and 2009 (56). He was a strong speedy player and strong defender.

After the 2009 season Roberts was considered on of the elite second baseman and leadoff hitters in the game and signed a four-year $40 million contract to remain with the Orioles even though, at the time, he could have had the opportunity to leave for a contending team and more money.

Unfortunately, 2010 was the beginning of the end for the two-time All-Star who even considered retirement back in 2012. He missed a chunk of time battling pneumonia early in 2010 and actually gave himself a concussion, hitting his batting helmet (while he was wearing it) with his bat after striking out in an at-bat against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Another slew of injuries, this time involving surgeries to fix a hip flexor and a sports hernia, limited Roberts to an average of 48 games a season during his last four years with the Orioles.

Jul 20, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts (14) singles to right center during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Many Baltimore fans were not happy that he had been injured through the major years of his contract and were angered further when he signed with the Yankees as a free agent in after the 2013 season.

Yet, Roberts wanted to play another year and the Orioles were ready to part ways with him. In 2014 Roberts played in 91 games, batted just .237 with five homers and 21 RBI. Really since 2010 Roberts had only looked like a shell of his old self.

Roberts could no longer meet the high standards he held himself too. When he was released by the Yankees, there were two contending teams that wanted to sign him for the remainder of the year but he decided against signing with either one.

"“It was just kind of my time. There were numerous reasons that I felt like I couldn’t play at a level that I was accustomed to and wanted to play at if I continued to play,” Roberts said. “I always said that I wasn’t going to be the guy that tried to hang on as long as I could.”"

So Friday Roberts made his retirement official. Soon he will be forgiven by any angered fans (hopefully) and remembered as one of the Orioles’ greats, even if he only excelled during nine seasons. During those nine seasons he was a bright spot on some not so stellar Orioles teams.

He should and will be remembered as Jeff English of the Baltimore Sports Report writes,

"“I remember the guy who was a doubles machine. The guy who was a menace on the basepaths. The guy who was gracious with fans, generous with his time and money, and who made himself a member of the community … Brian Roberts will be a memner of the Orioles Hall of Fame. He’ll be welcomed back to the stadium for us to applaud him. It’s time to forget his stint in New York. It’s time to forgive him for being hurt (if that’s… your thing). It’s time to recognize Brian Roberts for what he was: A great Oriole.”"

More from Call to the Pen

Home/MLB News