Sorry Big D.

My apologies to Danny Robertson

What can I say — I screwed up. That is pretty much all there is to say. This article was originally slated to be a profile in which I would have Danny Robertson’s coach and friends say complimentary things about him and what he brought to the Oregon State baseball team.

Then came my shining moment where I pulled the classic move of recording over the quotes from those interviews. Oy!

For an instant I actually understood what it felt like to be George W. Bush (the only difference being that I can admit I make a mistake).

There is nothing I can do about it now. I am running out of time, and the story of Danny Robertson needs to be told because, quite frankly, it is a good one.

So everybody gather ‘round the campfire — or in most students’ cases, your keg and/or bong — and listen up as I do my best to put the pieces together of this rare one-and-done senior.

It’s not often that a player transfers schools for one season in any sport. The only one that even comes to mind is Chad Johnson when he came to Oregon State back in 2000 for his one and only senior season.

Thanks to whoever pulled that one off, by the way. Do you think Chad even had to go to one class during the fall? Don’t get me wrong — I am not angry about it. Just a little jealous.

Anyway, the simple fact is, players do not make this move very often because it is a gamble. You have a limited amount of time to break through and show the coaches that you deserve to play over the other kid who has already cemented himself with the players and coaches.

Robertson came to Oregon State from Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., where he pretty much dominated. The 5-foot, 8-inch, 175-pound right-hander batted .415 with a school record 85 hits and 69 runs in his junior season.

When he was considering whether or not to transfer to OSU, Robertson needed only one thing: a chance.
“When coach told me there was a spot open, that was all I needed to hear,” Robertson said. “My work ethic and the way I play the game pretty much took care of itself.”

And Robertson’s work ethic is no joke. He is one of the hardest working players, if not the hardest working player, on the team. On off days, he is the one getting in extra work. In practice, he is all business. He runs the simplest drill just as hard as he runs every other one. Robertson knows only one speed.

Those of you who attended games this season might have noticed a guy who sprinted to first after every walk and around the base paths after a home run. It was Robertson.

He is the type of player every coach wants to have, and if I still had my recordings from Pat Casey, I would definitely be able to quote him as saying he would love to have 10 more guys just like him.

At the beginning of the season in my first interview with Casey, he told me a list of seniors he expected to step up this season. He included the usual names of Stutes, George, Lechelt, etc. Then he mentioned Robertson.

At first I thought to myself, who is Robertson? Danny was in the room at the time of that interview, and I just marked it up as the coach trying to be nice to a senior who was within hearing distance of the conversation.

That was one of my first lessons in sports writing: I don’t know anything, especially when it comes to a coach and his players. Robertson not only stepped up, but he was outstanding.

Robertson was one of three players to play every game and was second on the team in average (.327), hits (64) and steals (8). He had 12 doubles, 27 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .419. Even after a solid statistical season, Robertson still felt like he could have done better.

“You always want to do more,” Robertson said. “There are times this season where I felt like I let the team down. When you come here and you play at Oregon State, and you have the national championship banners flying in the background, there’s more on the line.

“There’s more than just the 25 other guys on this roster. We are representing everyone that came before us.”

That pretty much sums up what kind of a guy Danny Robertson is. He is a selfless teammate, first and foremost.

Last week, before the Pacific series started, I was getting quotes from players after practice when Robertson walked by. I told him his profile would be in the paper next week, and I apologized for the lateness. He replied with something to the effect of, “Not a big deal. It will make a good story if we make the playoffs.”

That’s where you are wrong, Mr. Robertson. Despite not making the playoffs, you make a good story anyway. I am only sorry I couldn’t have done it justice.