Nate Robertson

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Nate Robertson
Robertson with the Detroit Tigers
Pitcher
Born: (1977-09-03) September 3, 1977 (age 46)
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 7, 2002, for the Florida Marlins
Last MLB appearance
September 8, 2010, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Win–loss record57–77
Earned run average5.01
Strikeouts775
Teams

Nathan Daniel Robertson, (born September 3, 1977) is an American former

.

Career

Florida Marlins

Robertson attended

Eastern League. At Portland Robertson amassed a 10–9 record with a 3.42 ERA, sufficient that Florida summoned him to the major league club in early September.[2]

Robertson made his Major League debut on September 7, 2002, for the Marlins, pitching 4+23 innings and allowing four earned runs in a 4–1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.[2] Robertson moved to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, making five relief appearances. The following January Florida traded Robertson along with Gary Knotts and Rob Henkel to the Detroit Tigers for Mark Redman and Jerrod Fuell.[3]

Detroit Tigers

Robertson began the 2003 season with the Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit's Triple-A affiliate. Robertson remained there until late August, when Detroit, recalled him. In his first start with Detroit and second major league start overall, Robertson threw 813 innings against the Texas Rangers, giving up two earned runs and striking out eight. Robertson did not figure in the decision, as Detroit lost the game 4–2 in sixteen innings.[4] Robertson won his first major league game eleven days later, pitching five innings in an 8–4 victory over the Chicago White Sox.[5]

Robertson's best pitch is his four-seam fastball, followed by a "plus" slider and major-league quality change-up.[citation needed]

In 2005, he began wearing clear corrective lenses to correct his lazy eye.[citation needed]

Robertson invented a new means of rallying the Tigers during a June 2006 game with the New York Yankees. While wearing a microphone for television, Robertson began stuffing his mouth with Big League Chew to encourage the Tigers to score, down 5–0. Iván Rodríguez hit a home run on the subsequent at-bat. Though the Tigers lost the game, the "Gum Time!" tradition has caught on among Detroit players and fans.[6]

Robertson earned his first career postseason victory on October 10, 2006, by pitching five shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics in game 1 which helped launch the Detroit Tigers into their ALCS sweep of the A's and their first pennant since 1984.

In 2008, he tied for the major league lead in bunt hits allowed, with nine.[7]

Robertson is also a part owner of the Wichita Wingnuts independent baseball organization.[8]

On August 22, 2008, Tigers manager

slider.[9] Nate was quoted by the Detroit Free Press as saying that it was the "lowest point" of his career.[10]

Second stint with Florida Marlins

On March 30, 2010, Robertson was traded to the Florida Marlins for minor league pitcher Jay Voss and cash considerations.[11] He was designated for assignment on July 21.[12] One week later he was released.

St. Louis Cardinals & Philadelphia Phillies

Robertson signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on August 2, 2010, and was assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. Robertson exercised an opt-out clause on August 23,[13] and signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on August 24, 2010, reporting to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.[14] On September 9, 2010, Robertson was designated for assignment by the Phillies, a day after giving up 5 runs in 23 innings against the Marlins and nearly blowing a 10-run lead.

Seattle Mariners

On January 20, 2011, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners with an invitation to Spring training.[15]

Chicago Cubs

On February 19, 2012, the Chicago Cubs and Robertson agreed to terms to a minor league contract.[16]

Toronto Blue Jays

On July 14, 2012, the

Las Vegas 51s
.

Texas Rangers

On January 21, 2013, the Texas Rangers signed Robertson to a minor league contract.[17]

Second stint with Tigers

On March 13, 2013, Robertson signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers. On May 17, 2013, Robertson was granted his release from the Tigers, as he was struggling with his command in Triple-A.[18]

Coaching career

Robertson is now a pitching coach for Maize High School. In 2017, he won a state championship.

References

  1. ^ Beck, Jason (June 10, 2009). "Tigers know jewels found later in Draft: Zumaya not only big name culled outside top rounds". MLB.com. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  2. ^ a b "Team notes: National League East". USA Today. September 10, 2002. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  3. Gainesville Sun
    . January 12, 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  4. ^ "Box Score: Tex 4, Det 2". MLB.com. August 18, 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  5. ^ "DETROIT 8, CHI WHITE SOX 4". ESPN.com. August 29, 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  6. ^ Robbins, Lenn (October 8, 2006). "Nate has somethin' to chew on". New York Post. p. 103.
  7. ^ "2008 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situational". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  8. ^ "Front Office Staff – Wichita Wingnuts Baseball". Wichitawingnuts.com. Archived from the original on 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  9. ^ AP Photo (23 August 2008). "Tigers move Nate Robertson to bullpen". Mlive.com. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  10. ^ Lowe, John (2008-08-23). "Nate Robertson sent to bullpen; Dontrelle Willis won't replace him". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2008-08-25.[dead link]
  11. ^ "Tigers trade Robertson to Marlins; Willis wins rotation spot". Sports Illustrated. Time Inc. 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2010-06-25. {{cite magazine}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  12. ^ "Florida Marlins designate Nate Robertson for assignment; call up catcher Brad Davis". Fish Tank, a PalmBeachPost.com blog. Blogs.palmbeachpost.com. 2010-07-21. Archived from the original on 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  13. ^ Matthew Leach. "Cards put Reyes on DL; recall Salas | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  14. ^ "Phillies sign P Robertson to minor league deal". Tsn.ca. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  15. ^ "Mariners Sign Jody Gerut, Nate Robertson - MLB Trade Rumors".
  16. ^ "Report: Chicago Cubs Have Signed Pitcher Nate Robertson".
  17. ^ Jerry Crasnick [@jcrasnick] (January 22, 2013). "Nate Robertson is signing minor league deal with #rangers with an invitation to big league camp, says agent Steve Canter" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Never a serious candidate for a call-up, Tigers release veteran Nate Robertson | the Detroit News". www.detroitnews.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

External links