Gregor: It looks like White Sox have a reliable closer
As far as stereotypes go, David Robertson doesn't fit the profile of a major-league closer.
Standing 5-feet-11 and weighing 195 pounds, Robertson certainly doesn't have the intimidating size of the prototypical ninth-inning pitcher.
He doesn't have the wild hair, either on his head or his face.
Robertson doesn't even have the earsplitting entrance music favored by many of his peers. Instead of coming out of the bullpen to Rage Against the Machine, Metallica or Guns N' Roses, he prefers "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
"It's just a comfortable song to me," Robertson said last season after taking over for the great Mariano Rivera as the Yankees' closer. "It reminds me where I came from."
Robertson was born and raised in Alabama, and he certainly comes across as the classic Southern gentleman.
But when the game is on the line and he gets the call to come in protect the lead in the final innings, Robertson's blood starts boiling.
"It's a job," said Robertson, who in December signed a four-year, $46 million contract with the White Sox. "I've got to go out and do my job, get my three or four outs, and we win and go home."
The 29-year-old relief pitcher did his job very well with New York last season, finishing third in the American League with 39 saves and striking out 96 in 64⅓ innings while going 4-5 with a 3.08 ERA.
Robertson's ability to succeed in one of the toughest jobs in professional sports paid off big on the free-agent market, but the right-hander was far from satisfied.
"I look back and I still remember all the games I blew," said Robertson, the Yankees' primary setup man from 2011-13 before replacing the retired Rivera. "Those are the games I want back.
"You're not always going to be good out there, but always try to be better. I just expect myself to do well. I don't want to be that guy who is OK. I want to be one of the best."
There is little doubt Robertson is going to be much better than the series of closers the Sox ran through in 2014, when they blew a combined 21 save opportunities.
"Great move picking up Robertson," said White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "Let me tell you, from sitting on the bench the last two years and kind of thinking in the fifth or sixth inning who's closing for us today, that's a question you don't want to have to go through your mind every day."
In 2 Cactus League appearances, Robertson has allowed 2 earned runs on 4 hits in 1⅔ innings. He will worry about his stats once the regular season starts.
"I really ease into spring training," Robertson said at the start of camp. "We've got 45 days here to get ready. If I can't be ready in 45 days, there's something wrong. I look at it as a chance to get out here and slowly get yourself acclimated and get back to playing baseball.
"Obviously, I've done things in the off-season to get my body to where it needs to be. It's just a matter of getting back on the field and getting in tune with everything."