David Robertson's Ridiculously Cool Season

We all know how great a season David Robertson had, but let's look at some of the coolest parts of it:

1) 100 Strikeouts. You don't see relievers hit that number too often, especially with only 66.2 IP. He averaged 13.5K/9IP to get to 100.

2) 0.25 Road ERA. Yankee Stadium is tough on Righties. It's one of the things that's been so impressive about Mariano Rivera's sustained excellence in a ballpark that other right-handed pitchers crumble in. Considering the ballpark, Robertson's home ERA of 2.05 at home is impressive. But to give up just 1 run in 36 road games (and 36 innings) is unreal. (Note: That one run on the road was the only home run Robertson gave up all season). This also means that he only gave up a run in 2 different ballparks all season.

3) 0.34 ERA since July 25th. The only run he gave up since July 25th was that solo home run (hit by JJ Hardy in Camden Yards). Is he still getting better?

4) Bases Loaded. Many of us remember in the playoffs against the Twins when he got the nickname Houdini, having the bases loaded in the 11th inning with nobody out and escaping unharmed (without a strikeout). Who knew what that would be foreshadowing.

David Robertson's 2011 season with the bases loaded:

It started out rough, his first batter he faced in 2011 with the bases loaded was on April 5th and he gave up a 3-run double to Delmon Young. Then the insanity starts:

All following situations are bases loaded:

- April 19th vs. Blue Jays, Yankees Up 4-3, 1 Out - Strikeout

- April 19th vs. Blue Jays, Yankees Up 4-3, 2 Out - Strikeout

- May 10th vs. Royals, Yankees Down 3-1, 1 Out - Strikeout

- May 10th vs. Royals, Yankees Down 3-1, 2 Out - Strikeout

- May 15rh vs. Red Sox, Yankees Down 6-4, 2 Out - Strikeout

- May 17th vs. Rays, Yankees Up 2-1, 1 Out - Strikeout

- May 17th vs. Rays, Yankees Up 2-1, 2 Out - Strikeout

- June 5th vs. Angels, Yankees Up 4-3, 2 Out - Strikeout

- July 23rd vs. Athletics, Yankees Down 4-2, 2 Out - Strikeout

- July 26th vs. Mariners, Yankees Up 3-0, 0 Out - Strikeout

- July 26th vs. Mariners, Yankees Up 3-0, 1 Out - Groundout, Run Scores

- July 27th vs. Mariners, Yankees Up 3-1, 2 Out - Strikeout

- August 21st. vs. Twins, Yankees Up 3-0, 2 Out - Fly Out

- August 29th vs. Orioles, Yankees Up 8-3, 0 Out - Strikeout

- August 29th vs. Orioles, Yankees Up 8-3, 1 Out - Strikeout

- August 29th vs. Orioles, Yankees Up 8-3, 2 Out - Strikeout

- September 13th vs. Mariners, Yankees Up 3-2, 2 Out - Strikeout

- September 16th vs. Blue Jays, Yankees Tied 4-4, 2 Out - Fly Out

- September 21st vs. Rays, Yankees Tied 2-2, 1 Out - Double Play

The last 19 batters to face Robertson with the bases loaded are 0-for-19, producing 20 outs and 1 RBI.

The average AL Batter in 2011 hit .272 with the bases loaded (.751 OPS), and averaged producing 0.77 Runs per Plate Appearance. Against Robertson they had a .000 OPS and got .05 Runs per Plate Appearance.

We've been wondering for many years who would take over for Rivera when he finally retires. I for one am hoping we don't find out for many more years, as Rivera continues to defy age and American League bats. For the first time, I feel, there is a very strong candidate.