KANSAS CITY — Perseverance is a trait that all athletes should have or learn to develop.
Former Danville standout Chuckie Robinson was rewarded on Friday for his optimism when the Chicago White Sox added him to their 26-man roster.
It will be Robinson’s second stint in Major League Baseball, after playing 25 games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022.
“I’ve always been very optimistic about getting another chance,’’ Robinson said. “I can only control myself and I know that if I kept working and improving, I was hopeful that I would get another opportunity.’’
Robinson was batting .246 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 55 games this summer with the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Back on June 16, the White Sox selected the contract of Robinson, adding him to the 40-man roster.
That was a big step towards Friday’s promotion.
“The White Sox basically showed me that they were very interested in my abilities with that move,’’ he said. “It’s a good feeling to know that you are still wanted in this league.’’
Robinson, 29 years old, has been in professional baseball since being drafted by the Houston Astros in the 21st round of the 2016 MLB Draft. After four seasons in the Astros organization, Robinson signed with the Cincinnati Reds, playing in Chattanooga and Louisville before being called up the MLB roster on Aug. 12, 2022 and then again on Aug. 23, 2022.
Statistically, his best season at the plate was in 2023 with the Louisville Bats as Robinson hit .290 with 13 homers and 74 RBIs, but after spending the whole season in Triple-A, Robinson elected free agency during the offseason before ultimately signing with the White Sox.
“You can’t dwell on the reasons why you did or did not get called up,’’ Robinson said. “I just have to do everything that I can go put myself in the best possible position.
“Going all the way back to high school, I’ve always been at my best when I trying to help my team win the game. That’s what I’ve done everyday since I became a professional baseball player.’’
Robinson is joining a White Sox team that is just 27-71 on the season — the worst record in baseball.
“I can’t control what happened in the first-half of the season,’’ Robinson said. “My job is come in here and try to be a spark plug for this team, and hopefully help them win more games in the second half
“Hopefully, I’m able to be up here for a very long time.’’
The White Sox opened the second half on the road against the Kansas City Royals for a three-game series. After that will be a four-game set against the Texas Rangers.
The first home game for Robinson will be next Friday, July 26, against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“My wife (Caitlyn) and my son (Camari) will be here tonight,’’ said Robinson, who wasn’t in the starting lineup for the White Sox on Friday. “I think the rest of my family are going to be in Chicago next week.’’