Q&A With Daniel Robertson
Daniel Robertson spent just one season in an Oregon State uniform after transferring from Concordia in Southern California, but sure had an impressive senior year. He played in all 52 of Oregon State’s games, starting 50. He batted .327 with 12 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 27 RBI. Playing mainly in right field, he also had an outstanding season defensively, finishing with a .980 fielding percentage. He had four assists and figured in three double plays. Robertson was named to the All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention team at the end of the season.
Robertson recently sat down with to reflect on his Oregon State career.
OSU: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Oregon State and your tenure in Corvallis?
Daniel Robertson: “The first thing that comes to mind would probably be dogpiling because before I came here, it was the only thing that I saw them do.”
OSU: How would you reflect on the 2008 season?
DR: “2008 was full of ups and downs. We had some really great times but we also had some really bad times.”
OSU: You came in with a unique situation, coming in for one season to play for a division I program. Yet, would you trade this year for anything?
DR: “No, I wouldn’t, because you have to look back on everything, I watched the ‘06 and ‘07 teams and the amazing plays that they made. I got to watch all the plays that Joey (Wong) made, I got to watch Lonnie (Lechelt), Drew (George) and John Wallace in the championship game. You watch all these things on TV and the next thing you know, I’m in the outfield alongside all these guys. The relationships I built with these guys are ones I never thought I would. I would never trade this experience for anything even though we didn’t get to go to Regionals or Omaha. Hearing about it and seeing the rings gave me a little taste; it’s a little taste without the experience.”
OSU: Having come from Concordia, what was the biggest challenge when coming to Oregon State?
DR: “The competition is really good. I had to adjust a little bit to the level of play but I think that if anything, the most I had to adjust to is that I had to get four coaches who have never seen me play baseball before, and get them have faith in me day in and day out. That I’m going to be me every day and that they’re not going to have to worry about me playing good baseball because I’m giving them the effort that they deserve day in and day out. Basically, proving to them that I’m not going to a nuisance. I had the fall to prove myself to them and that was my main concern.”
OSU: What did the coaching staff mean to you on a personal level?
DR: “They mean just as much as anything because of my situation. You don’t often hear stories where guys are taking their senior year and making a jump from a lower level. They’ve had an influence on me because they understood what I was trying to do. Coach (Pat) Casey kept preaching to me to be the best player that I can be and I really took that to heart in everything I did. As far as our relationship now, it’s nothing but respect because he believed in me even though he had never really watched me play. So for him to give me that chance, I am always going to be forever grateful. All the coaches played a part in me becoming the player that I am today.”
OSU: How special is it for you to be a part of the senior class and being honored on the field the last home game?
DR: “It was very special, but at the same time, it was difficult. Looking around and seeing everybody else’s family there but mine was difficult but at the same time it was a pleasure to share a field with eight seniors who have been a part of the change in what Oregon State was all about. It’s just nice to be mixed in with some of the accomplishments that they had, and the relationships that I built with them within just one year are something that I’ll never forget.”
OSU: What’s the one thing that you’re going to remember most about your year here?
DR: “The one game that stood out to me was the Santa Clara game because it was early in the season, we hadn’t felt each other out and we were down 10-2 after two innings. We rallied, came back and ended up beating them which was one of the most memorable games. There was also the final UCLA game where Ryan (Ortiz) hit the grand slam. When Ryan hit that ball -- I’ve never been to Omaha -- but I don’t think that hearing the 3,000 people screaming at Goss stadium and shaking the stands could compare to anything else that happened this year.”
OSU: How do you want to be remembered by the Oregon State fans?
DR: “I just want to be remembered as a player who played the game the right way and played it hard. I want fans knowing that every time that they came to a game that they got their money’s worth. Whether they’ve seen me play before or if it was their first time, they got to see someone who played with no remorse and no doubt.”
