Dewey Robinson (baseball)

Dewey Everett Robinson (born April 28, 1955 in Evanston, Illinois) is an American professional baseball coach and former pitcher who worked in 30 Major League games, all in relief, for the Chicago White Sox (1979–81). He also spent four seasons as a bullpen and pitching coach in the Majors for the White Sox and Houston Astros. As of 2013, he was the roving minor league pitching instructor for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Playing career

In his playing days, Robinson threw and batted right-handed; he stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg). Robinson attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale and was selected by the White Sox in the 19th round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft. After a sparkling 1978 season as a relief pitcher for the Class A Appleton Foxes—50 games pitched, a 10–3 win–loss record, with 17 saves, 121 strikeouts and a 1.72 earned run average in 89 innings pitched^[1]—he made the 1979 ChiSox' opening day roster. But he was ineffective in two trials and 11 games with Chicago that season, losing his only decision and posting an ERA of 6.28. In between those stints, however, he had a good season for the Triple-A Iowa Oaks, winning 13 games in relief.

After following that success at Iowa with a strong 3½ months to begin 1980, Robinson was recalled to the White Sox in July and pitched well in middle relief. In 15 games through the end of September, he split two decisions and allowed only 26 hits in 35 innings pitched, with an earned run average of 3.09. But in 1981 he appeared in only 29 games, including four with the White Sox to conclude his MLB career. However, his last appearance in the Majors on October 4 was a memorable one. Entering the game in the ninth inning at Comiskey Park with the White Sox trailing the Minnesota Twins 12–9, he pitched a scoreless inning. Then, when the White Sox rallied for four runs and a walk-off, 13–12 victory, Robinson was credited with the win.^[2]

All told, in 30 MLB games and 53⅓ innings pitched, Robinson split four decisions, giving up 42 hits and 28 bases on balls, with 35 strikeouts and a career ERA of 4.05. His minor league playing career after a 1982 minor-league season in the Pittsburgh Pirates' and Milwaukee Brewers' organizations.

Coaching career

Robinson coached collegiately at Northwestern University (1982–83) and the University of Missouri (1984–86).

Robinson served in the Chicago White Sox system for ten seasons. He served two seasons as the White Sox' bullpen coach from 1993 to 1994 and was also the pitching coach at Class A Peninsula of the Carolina League in 1987 and Class A Tampa in 1988. Robinson also served the White Sox as minor league pitching coordinator.

Robinson joined the Astros organization in 1997 and was named the club's "Player Development Man of the Year" in 1998.^[3] He worked as their pitching coach in 2008 and 2009, during Cecil Cooper's term as manager.^[4]

Robinson was not retained by the Astros following the 2009 season. He agreed to become a minor league instructor for the Rays.^[5]

Personal life

Robinson holds a bachelor of science degree in finance from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He and his wife, Cindy, have two sons, Brett and Greg. Brett pitched for the Astros Short-Season Class A affiliate at Tri-City in 2007 after being drafted in the 27th round in June.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Astros page for Dewey Robinson