Former MLB pitcher Jeriome Robertson dead
Houston Astros' pitcher Jeriome Robertson releases a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds. (July 17, 2003) Credit: AP
Former major league pitcher Jeriome Robertson, whose 15 wins led all rookies in 2003, has died. He was 33.
Robertson was killed Saturday when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed, the California Highway Patrol said.
The left-hander went 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA for Houston in his one big year and topped the team in victories. Robertson was traded to Cleveland before the next season after the Astros signed free agents Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.
Robertson’s last game in the majors came in July 2004 — he hit Magglio Ordonez with his final pitch and was ejected. He later played in the minors for the Mets and Reds, and finished in 2007 in the Mexican and independent leagues.
Astros star Lance Berkman recalled Robertson’s success.
“When you play with someone a year, you remember them. It’s certainly a tragedy and what more can you say? It’s a bad deal,” Berkman said before Tuesday night’s game against Washington.
“He won 15 games for us. That’s what I remember about him that year. He was solid every time out. He made a big step forward in his development. Then we traded him and really he kind of dropped off the face of the earth,” he said.
Robertson pitched in only eight more games in the majors after getting dealt to Cleveland. He finished with a career record of 16-12 with a 5.71 ERA.
