1985 Profile: Andre Robertson

"After playing 69 games at Columbus (Triple-A) last year, Andre Robertson was asked about the condition of his sore arm. He simply replied, 'The only thing I can say is the umpires (at first base) kept saying 'out.'
Andre was once considered the Yankees shortstop of the '80s until he suffered a broken neck in an automobile accident in August of 1983. The injury somewhat hindered his powerful throwing arm and he split his 1984 season between New York and Columbus.
Now Andre wants to prove he's ready to return full time to the big club, and he showed he meant business when he reported early to spring training this year. However, he was battling incumbent Bobby Meacham.
'They may be looking at me as a backup,' Andre said in camp, 'and if that's what happens, I'll have to accept it. But I'm here intending to be the number one shortstop.'"

-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook

"Robertson attempted to make a comeback from his August '83 car accident. He began the season at Columbus in order to strengthen his arm and was recalled on April 16. Andre was the regular Yankee shortstop until being optioned back to Columbus on June 15.
He hit .239 in 69 games with the Clippers in 64 games at shortstop, five games at third base and one game at second. Andre was recalled to New York on September 9, appearing in nine games during the remainder of 1984.
Andre anchored the Yankee infield in 1983 with his outstanding defense at shortstop. He hit in 10 straight games from June 8 to June 18, raising his batting average from .210 to .266. He was involved in a serious car accident on August 18 in which he suffered a broken neck, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.
He began the 1982 season at Columbus and was called up to the Yankees on May 13. He hit his first major league home run on May 16 at Oakland off Steve McCatty. Andre was optioned to Columbus on July 8 and recalled to the Yankees on August 20. He played outstanding defense and showed potential and improvement at the plate.
Andre began in the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 1979. In 1980 with the Yankees, he progressed from A ball to AA and finally to AAA in just his second pro season. In 1981, Andre was named to the International League All-Star team as the shortstop. He was called up to the Yankees on September 2 when Bucky Dent was disabled with a torn hand ligament that required surgery. Andre singled in his first major league at-bat against Mike Jones at Kansas City on September 3 and played defensively in the 1981 ALCS and World Series.
Andre grew up in Orange, Texas where he attended West Orange High and played baseball, football, basketball and ran track. He was All-State twice and All-American once in baseball. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Orange and was a San Francisco Giant fan as a youngster, particularly Willie Mays. Andre spent three years at the University of Texas in Austin where he teamed with Jerry Don Gleaton and played against Tim Lollar of Arkansas."

-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide