Dave Robertson

Who was Dave Robertson?

Davis Aydelotte Robertson is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder over parts of 9 seasons with the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1916 and 1917 he tied for the National League lead in home runs while playing for New York. Robertson was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. He attended North Carolina State University after matriculating at Maury High School and Norfolk Academy. He died at the age of 81 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The short-distanced right field fence at the Polo Grounds was a frequent target of long drives hit by Robertson and his Giants' teammate, Benny Kauff. Their hits to right field became so much of an issue that National League officials convened following the 1916 baseball season. Baseball officials decided to amend Rule #1, which read the shortest distance from a fence or stand on fair territory to the home base should be 235 feet. The amendment to the rule changed the shortest distance from a stand or fence to 270 feet.