Rookie outfielder Will Robertson from the land of a Blue Jays legend
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays
Toronto Blue Jays rookie outfielder Will Robertson hails from the same area as former closer Tom 'The Terminator' Henke.
Less than 10 minutes from Loose Creek Missouri, is a tiny town of 300 (give or take) where Robertson grew up on a cattle farm, is Taos, an equally small burg better known as the home of Tom Henke, a World Series champ with the Jays and the franchise's all-time saves leader.
And yes, the connection wasn't lost on the 27-year-old Robertson nor the 67-year-old Henke.
«He's a great guy, who's down to earth, does a ton for the community and loves mid Missouri,» Robertson said of Henke, who has been a quiet but steady influence on his career. «I always see him around and he's always asked how things are going.
«He's a good role model and good support to have.»
Henke was well known to the family in an area Robertson describes as having «more cattle than people, for sure.»
But the connection with the Terminator, as Henke was known by fans through his lethal run as Jays closer from 1985-1992, became stronger after Toronto selected Robertson in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB draft.
There was advice and support along the way, an organic connection given their shared roots on the baseball diamond and off.
«He just talked to me about how cool it was to get to the big leagues this year and to make the journey my own,» Robertson said. «He said everybody does it on their own time and for told me to make the best of it.»
Henke has long been a supporter of Robertson's - and an avid and invested follower of his career.
So of course he was thrilled to hear when the big promotion finally came and as a bonus, happened to take place when he was at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as part of a promotion.
«He's a hard-working humble kid and he comes from a great family,» Henke said over the phone from Missouri. «I'm excited for him. He's excelled at every stop that he's had and he has the work ethic to make it. That shows from how long he spent in the minor leagues and never gave up. I told myself I'd give five years in the minors and then get on with my life if I wasn't in the big leagues. Will stuck with it and it has paid off.»
A two-time All Star in his time with the Jays, the Terminator has fond memories of Robertson winning a Missouri state championship at Fatima high school and has followed his career since.
«Will's family is from around here so I know his Mom and Dad and a lot of relatives,» Henke said. «They are top notch. They remind me a lot of my family. Very close.
«Who knows how far he can go? He's only 27 and I was 26 before I made the big leagues and stuck. I've always said the hard part wasn't getting to the big leagues, the hard part is staying.»
Now that he's here, Robertson intends to stay. The pride of Loose Creek has a long way to get to the 446 Jays appearances made by the pride of Taos, but it's nice to get the opportunity. Finally.
«The odds of two guys coming from a small mid Missouri town to play major league baseball first of all but then to play for Canada and Toronto its pretty cool,» Robertson said.
The Terminator would agree.
Do you think Will Robertson has what it takes to stay in the big leagues or will he get sent back down to Triple-A?
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
Source: Toronto Sun
New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend
New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend
| POLL | ||
JUIN 20 | 186 ANSWERS Rookie outfielder Will Robertson from the land of a Blue Jays legend Do you think Will Robertson has what it takes to stay in the big leagues or will he get sent back down to Triple-A? | ||
| Yes he is what it takes | 32 | 17.2 % |
| Nope back to Triple-A | 117 | 62.9 % |
| Too early to tell | 37 | 19.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
