Guide Note:Nate Robertson is a Major League Baseball player pitching for the Detroit Tigers. He was originally signed out of high school by the Chicago White Sox, but elected to attend Wichita State University, where he pitched for four years. In 1997 Robertson appeared in one game for Team USA and gained the victory after allowing just one run in three innings. After his junior year, Robertson was again selected by the Chicago White Sox but did not sign. In 1999 he was drafted in the fifth round by the Florida Marlins. In 2002 Robertson pitched the entire season for the Portland Sea Dogs in the Eastern League before being called up by the Florida Marlins. Robertson made his Major League Baseball debut on September 7th, 2002, losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The final five appearances of the season came as a relief pitcher. Moving to the Detroit Tigers organization in 2003 in a trade for Mark Redman, Robertson spent the majority of the season playing for the Toledo Mud Hens. He made his first appearance of the season for the Detroit Tigers on August 18 striking out a career high eight batters against the Texas Rangers. Robertson was named pitcher of the month for the Detroit Tigers in August. Robertson spent the entire 2004 season in the Major Leagues leading the Detroit Tigers with 12 victories, the most by any left handed pitcher on the team in a season since 1997. In 2005 Robertson made 32 starts and pitched 162 innings but also lead the entire league in losses with 16. Robertson began wearing glasses to correct a lazy eye. In 2006 he invented a new rallying method in a June game against the New York Yankees. While wearing a microphone for television, Robertson started stuffing his mouth with Big League Chew in attempts to get the team to score. The team did score and although they ended up losing the game, "Gum Time" had caught on as a rallying cry among the fans and the team. On October 10, 2006, Robertson won his first postseason game, defeating the Oakland Athletics and helping the team to their first league pennant since 1984. The 2007 season marked Robertson's fourth year with the Detroit Tigers, finishing the year with 30 starts, 9 wins and 119 strikeouts. Early in 2008 Robertson signed a three year contract extension with the Detroit Tigers.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: September 3, 1977 in Wichita, Kansas
2. Full name: Nahtan Daniel Robertson
3. Position: Pitcher
4. Bats: Right
5. Throws: Left
6. College: Wichita State University
7. Major League Debut: September 7, 2002
8. Career Record: 42 wins, 55 losses
9. Career Earned Run Average: 4.63

Trades

1. 1995: Selected by Chicago White Sox in the 35th round, did not sign.
2. 1998: Selected by Chicago White Sox in the 15th round, did not sign.
3. 1999: Selected by Florida Marlins in the 5th round, free-agent draft.
4. 2003: Traded by Florida Marlins to Detroit Tigers for Mark Redman

Quote "Let me tell ya...when a hitter watches his slam fly out of the park before he runs the bases, that's just like the pitcher running up and punching him in the face..." on ESPN Radio 2003

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