David Roberts
From SoSH
| Born: | May 31, 1972 |
| Birthplace: | Okinawa, Japan |
| Hometown: | Vista, California |
| Height: | 5' 10" |
| Weight: | 180 lbs |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Left |
| Drafted: | 28th Round, 1994 by the Detroit Tigers |
| College: | University of California, Los Angeles |
| High School: | Rancho Buena Vista HS (Vista, CA) |
| Other Teams: | Cleveland Indians 1999-2001 LA Dodgers 2002-2004 San Diego Padres 2005-2006 SF Giants 2007-Present |
| Years with Boston: | 2004 |
Dave Roberts played for the Boston Red Sox for 3 months and will be remembered for a lifetime.
Contents |
Overall Career
David Ray Roberts was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 28th round of the 1994 draft. He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians after being traded the previous year. Following the 2001 season, Roberts was sent to the LA Dodgers, where he played for 2 1/2 years before being sent to Boston on the final day of July in 2004 in exchange for Henri Stanley.
In October of 2004, Dave Roberts stole a base and became a legend in the city of Boston. In order to grant Roberts his wish of winning a starting job, the Sox traded Roberts to the San Diego Padres for Jay Payton, Ramon Vazquez, and David Pauley. On December 2nd, 2006, the San Francisco Giants signed Roberts to a 3-year contract worth $18 million.
Roberts' Moment in the Sun
Stole teh base!!11!
Following Kevin Millar's walk in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the '04 ALCS, Manager Terry Francona opted to put Dave Roberts in as a pinch runner. Roberts, fortuitously, had retreated to the Red Sox clubhouse earlier in the game to watch videotapes of Rivera's pickoff move and motion to home plate. As Mr. Roberts describes it, on his way up the dugout steps he turned to Francona, who simply winked at him. The meaning was clear: You are a ridiculously good looking man, now get out there and steal 2nd you lug!
Roberts' lead off first was more sprinter on the blocks than baseball player. Left leg cocked, he stared at the ever stoic Rivera, ready to pounce. Clearly unsettling to have the tying run represented by such dazzling speed at first, Rivera threw over to first more than once, causing Roberts' retreat. Roberts simply returned to his position off first, and waited.
On the first motion that would result in Rivera's delivery to home, Roberts exploded from his crouch, arms pumping as his feet punished the ground underneath. Rivera's throw to home was practically a pitch out, high and away that brought catcher Jorge Posada out of his crouch. As quickly as the ball had been delivered home, Posada unleashed a throw to 2nd.
There, waiting with abated breath, was Derek Jeter smiling like a schoolgirl. Arm extended toward home, he awaited what amounted to the Boston Red Sox season. Posada threw a strike, as Jeter clutched the throw and swung his tag downward. Alas, despite all the regular circumstances in the favor of the defense, Roberts slid headfirst under the tag. Roberts was safe.
He would score soon thereafter on Bill "Yankee Kueller" Mueller's hit into centerfield, tying the game that would eventually be won in the 12th by Big Papi.
This event would become perhaps the most poignant moment associated with the historic comeback of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.
Trivia
- Won the Silver Medal at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada with Team USA
- Installed in the Red Sox Hall of Fame, Class of 2006.
Quotes
- On the steal: "What's funny is that when I was in the middle of stealing the base, I thought I had it. But as I look back at the highlight over and over, I didn't realize how close the play actually was. It seems like the more I watch it, the closer and closer it gets. ... It's just amazing how close the play was and I get chills every time I think about it."
Transactions
- June 3, 1993: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 47th round of the 1993 amateur draft, but did not sign.
- June 2, 1994: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 28th round of the 1994 amateur draft. Player signed June 9, 1994.
- June 24, 1998: Traded by the Detroit Tigers with Tim Worrell to the Cleveland Indians for Geronimo Berroa.
- December 22, 2001: Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Christian Bridenbaugh (minors) and Nial Hughes (minors).
- July 31, 2004: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox for Henri Stanley (minors).
- December 20, 2004: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the San Diego Padres for Jay Payton, Ramon Vazquez, David Pauley, and cash.
- December 2, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.
External Links
Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
