1976 Topps #449 - Bob Robertson

• Bob Robertson played in the majors from 1967-1979, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Robertson was signed by the Pirates in 1964. When he was coming up in the Pirates’ system Bob was called “the next Ralph Kiner” due to his power – he led the minor leagues in home runs three times.

• Bob got his first chance in the majors in September 1967. He batted .171 with 2 HR in 35 at bats. Robertson missed the entire 1968 season because of a kidney obstruction.

• Bob started the 1969 season with the Pirates but was sent down in mid-May after batting .179. Robertson came back to the Pirates in September and ended up batting .208 in 96 at bats.

• Robertson was given more regular playing time (mostly at first base) in 1970. He batted .287 with 27 HR and 82 RBI. Bob went 1 for 5 in two games in the 1970 NLCS.

• Bob’s biggest year was 1971. During the regular season he batted .271 with 26 HR and 72 RBI. Robertson batted .438 and hit four home runs in the 1971 NLCS against the San Francisco Giants. Three of the home runs were in game 2 of the series. The Pirates were down 2 games to 0 in the World Series when Bob hit a 3-run homer to lead the Pirates to a 5-1 victory. Robertson had been ordered to bunt, but he missed the sign. Bob batted .240 with 2 home runs in the World Series. Bob Robertson - The Pirates' Grumpy Hero - December 1971 Baseball Digest. The Bunt That Never Happened - Baseball Digest January 1972

• Robertson fell off badly after the 1971 season. In 1972 he batted .193 with 12 HR and 41 RBI in 115 games. He walked in his only plate appearance in the 1972 NLCS. Bob batted .239 with 14 HR and 40 RBI in 119 games in 1973. Roberson batted .229 with 16 HR and 48 RBI in 91 games in 1974. He went 0 for 5 in one game in the 1974 NLCS. Bob had surgery on both knees after the 1974 season and he became a part-time player after that.

• Bob batted .274 with 6 HR in 124 at bats in 1975. He went 1 for 2 with a walk in three pinch-hitting appearances in the 1975 NLCS. Robertson batted .217 with 2 HR in 129 at bats in 1976. The Pirates released Robertson during spring training in 1977.

• After missing the entire 1977 season Bob signed with the Seattle Mariners. He batted .230 with 8 HR in 64 games for the Mariners in 1978. The Mariners released Robertson before the 1979 season. Bob was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in late April. He batted .103 in 29 at bats and was released in late June.
• Robertson now lives in LaVale, MD and is employed by Bayliner (a boat company)

• Liked to face: Denny LeMaster (.429 with 3 HR in 7 AB); Mike Marshall (.391 in 23 AB); Milt Pappas (.385 with 4 HR in 26 AB)

• Hated to face: Steve Stone (.000 in 14 AB); Rick Reuschel (.056 in 18 AB); Burt Hooton/Al Downing (.095 in 21 AB)