For Todd Frazier and David Robertson, Olympics could be both a tryout and ‘last hurrah’

NEW YORK — Todd Frazier believes he has plenty left, that he can get back to the major leagues and bring a needy team the kind of thump and feel-good leadership that have been hallmarks of his 11-year career.

But he also knows that his current Olympic dream, as he puts it, “could be my last hurrah in baseball.” He wants to savor the trip to Tokyo with Team USA in the upcoming Games and, of course, come back wearing a gold medal.

“It means everything, to be honest,” the former Mets and Yankees third baseman says, recalling his time as a 12-year-old playing for Toms River, N.J. in 1998. “It would be a culmination in my career. I first got on the scene beating Japan in the Little League World Series, and now could have a chance to beat them in a gold medal match.

“How many people get to say they played for their country? So excited, man. Honestly. I’ve been thinking about it every day.”

Frazier, 35, is one of 14 players with MLB experience on Team USA’s 24-man roster and one of several with New York ties. Former Yankees closer David Robertson, who was a member of the last World Series team in the Bronx in 2009, is in the bullpen. Ex-Yankee Tyler Austin is a member of the team, too, along with lefty Scott Kazmir, once a Mets prospect, and Simeon Woods-Richardson, who the Mets traded to Toronto in the Marcus Stroman deal.

Former Angels manager Mike Scioscia is guiding the team, which begins Olympic play July 30 against Israel and former All-Star Ian Kinsler. The U.S. last won Olympic gold in baseball in 2000 in Sydney.

Players on the 40-man rosters of MLB teams are not eligible to play in the Olympics, so Team USA chose veteran free agents such as Frazier and Robertson to add to a roster that includes prospects and, like Austin, Americans playing overseas. The roster has been fluid, too. Luke Williams, the Phillies prospect who starred in qualifying, was called up, so he won’t play. With the Phillies, he hit a walk-off homer in his first start.

“We’ve got a good mixture, veteran guys like Robertson and these young studs who are really close to making it to the big leagues,” Frazier says.

“Robertson looked lights out,” Frazier said of Olympic qualifying in June. “He’s got all the juice left in him. You know, not only are you playing for the Olympics, guys want to play in the majors again. The excitement is big and I hope all of us get another job. I think we’re good enough.”

In the Olympics, baseball is not a showcase sport, like swimming or gymnastics. It hasn’t been part of the Games since 2008. There likely will be less fanfare about Team USA’s baseball efforts than on, say, Katie Ledecky’s exploits in the pool. And there’s no baseball version of Simone Biles on America’s roster. (Who would that be, anyway? Mike Trout?).

But less buzz about baseball doesn’t matter to the ballplayers. “I haven’t really thought about it like that,” Robertson says. “I know when I think of the Olympics, I think of track and field and gymnastics. It may not be the main stage, but baseball is very big in Japan and they are going to have a very good team.

“Even if we’re not the main sport, there’s going to be plenty of attention. Anytime you’ve got the ‘USA’ strapped across your chest, you want to win.

“I know it’s a different kind of year — completely different atmosphere, no fans. But someone’s gotta win that gold and I want to bring it back to the States. I think it’s going to be incredible.”

Team USA went 4-0 in qualifying play to join a field that includes the Dominican Republic, Israel, Japan, Korea and Mexico. Frazier, who was released by the Pirates in May after batting .086 in 13 games, batted .400 with two home runs, including a 4-for-4 effort in the final. Robertson had two saves.

The qualifiers were a celebration event in the Toms Rivers cul-de-sac the Fraziers call home. American flags flapped up and down the block, Frazier says. His kids created Olympic art for him and were decked out in special USA shirts his wife made for the final. “They were rocking, excited,” Frazier says. “My wife is a great backbone. And I got some good neighbors, man.”

Since the end of qualifying, both Frazier and Robertson have found reps with independent league teams to stay sharp. Frazier commuted an hour and 40 minutes from his Toms River home to take at-bats with the Sussex County Miners of the Frontier League.

One of Robertson’s independent stops was with the Atlantic League’s High Point Rockers. He stayed with his wife and kids at a hotel in Cary, N.C., the home of the USA Baseball National Training Complex, and drove 90 minutes to High Point on the nights he pitched, sometimes carpooling with Olympic teammate Edwin Jackson, who was also picking up innings with the Rockers.

One of Robertson’s outings took place on the same night as a Christmas in July promotion. It was also Dollar Beer Night. The other players kidded the former star, calling him “Rookie.”

Robertson, 36, made only seven appearances in 2019 with the Phillies before he needed Tommy John surgery. He missed all of 2020. He says he had chances to pitch in the majors this year, but “It’s been a different year. A lot of time with family. With the chance to go win a medal, it’s something I’ve jumped at. I’m really interested in trying it.”

Robertson has some international experience already; he was on the USA squad that won the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He got the final out of the championship game.

His recovery from surgery turned out to be more difficult than he anticipated. “I was older when I had it and it was more complicated than just Tommy John,” he says. He tried to rush back.

“I expected 12 months, but that was not happening. I pushed too hard, too fast. I should’ve relaxed and healed up,” he said.

“But I haven’t had any issues now. The ball seems to jump out of my hand again, so I’m happy about that.”

This is the third time that Frazier and Robertson have been teammates. They were both on the White Sox and then, in 2017, were dealt to the Yankees in the same trade. “We’re having a great run,” Robertson says. “I’m glad he’s with us. Winning gold together would be something.”

They’ll potentially meet a familiar face along the way in Masahiro Tanaka. The former Yankee starter is one of Japan’s aces and the only holdover from the team that lost the 2008 bronze medal game to the USA.

“It’ll be weird to be going against him,” Robertson says. “We can be friends afterward. I just want to win.”

Adds Frazier: “I’ll say hi to him, but it’s on, baby. We’ll see what happens. They’re stopping their Major Leagues in Japan to have the best team. Why not beat their best and show them America is ready to go?”

Both players say it’s unclear what, if anything, they’ll be able to do other than playing, because of COVID-19 restrictions. “I’ve never been to Japan,” Robertson says. “I’m excited and I’m hoping they’ll let us see more than they’re telling us. And I’m hoping there are opportunities to sightsee a little bit.”

Their families are not allowed to go, Robertson says. “They’ll have to get up early to watch,” he adds.

They might see something special, even gold. That would be quite an addition to the terrific careers of both Robertson and Frazier, whenever they end.

“I’ve been blessed to have tons of opportunities to play with and against some great guys, with the best in baseball and against them,” Frazier says. “The only thing I haven’t gotten is a World Series and I don’t know if I’ll get one. But I played for both New York teams, something that’s a dream for anyone who grew up around here.

“I had a 40 home-run season, some of the goals I wanted. If I had to do it again, I’d do it all the same way, seeing the ball, hitting it, throwing the analytics out the door.

“We are really excited about this. We want to bring that gold home. Anything less will be a disappointment.”