Dave Robertson

Davis Aydelotte Robertson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 186 lb.
• School North Carolina State University
• Debut June 5, 1912
• Final Game September 27, 1922
• Born September 25, 1889 in Portsmouth, VA USA
• Died November 5, 1970 in Virginia Beach, VA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"McGraw fined me for disobeying orders." - Dave Robertson's description of what happened in 1915 when he hit a home run after John McGraw had signaled for a bunt

Dave Robertson played nine seasons in the National League, twice leading that league in home runs during the dead-ball era. In the 1917 World Series he hit .500.

Robertson was the first player to the come to the majors out of North Carolina State University, where he attended in 1910-12, starring in baseball, football, basketball and track. Appearing with the 1912 New York Giants for three games, he went 1-for-2 with the bat.

He spent 1913 in the minors at Mobile, hitting .335, and came back to the majors in 1914. After several years with the Giants, he was traded in the summer of 1919 to the Chicago Cubs, where he would stay through the summer of 1921. He had a good year with the 1920 Cubs, posting the highest OPS+ among the regulars.

After being traded in the summer of 1921, he hit .322 for the 1921 Pirates during the second part of the 1921 season. He came back to the New York Giants to finish out his major league career in 1922.

He then played a number of years in the Virginia League, batting over .380 with power in each of 1925-26. In later years he also played for York and Norfolk.

Robertson managed two teams in the Virginia League in the 1920's: the Richmond Colts in 1923 and the Norfolk Tars from 1925 to 1927. Richmond was the co-champion of the Virginia League in 1923. Robertson's overall minor league managing record was 280-258. His teams finished: 1st (tie), 3rd, 3rd, and 5th.

One source: Baseball in the Carolinas.

Notable Achievements

• NL Singles Leader (1916)
• 2-time NL Home Runs Leader (1916 & 1917)
• Won a World Series with the New York Giants in 1922 (he did not play in the World Series)