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David Robertson bats first for the winning Cubs

Closers are the ones who bat. David Robertson, a reliever with the Cubs, did not play in his first game until the 696th contest of his 14-year career. Who can blame him for grinning after getting on base? The veteran reliever, who pitched a spotless eighth inning in the Cubs’ 14-5 thrashing of the Pirates on Wednesday, snatched Yan Gomes’ helmet and Christopher Morel’s bat to see how the other half lives. In Robertson’s words, it was a chance that “made my dream come true”.

“Before the position player entered the game, [manager David Ross and I] discussed it”, said Robertson. “He could pinch-hit for the DH if I came in and the DH was up. We thus discussed it. I simply didn’t believe it would occur. To get me up there, we had to complete the entire process. I blew it after that. I failed!” In his 695-game career, Robertson has the fewest plate appearances of any player. Therefore, this achievement is especially important to him.

Written by Eren Kilic

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