Editing Nate Robertson

{{short description|American baseball player (born 1977)}}
{{distinguish|Nat Robertson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name       = Nate Robertson
| image      = Nate Robertson.jpg
| caption    = Robertson with the Detroit Tigers
| position   = [[Pitcher]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|9|3}}
| birth_place = [[Wichita, Kansas]], U.S.
| bats       = Right
| throws     = Left
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate  = September 7
| debutyear  = 2002
| debutteam  = Florida Marlins
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate  = September 8
| finalyear  = 2010
| finalteam  = Philadelphia Phillies
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value = 57–77
| stat2label = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value = 5.01
| stat3label = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value = 775
| teams      = 
* [[Florida Marlins]] ({{mlby|2002}})
* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2009}})
* [[Florida Marlins]] ({{mlby|2010}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2010}})
}}
'''Nathan Daniel Robertson''', (born September 3, 1977) is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] for the [[Florida Marlins]], [[Detroit Tigers]] and [[Philadelphia Phillies]].

==Career==

===Florida Marlins===
Robertson attended [[Wichita State University]] and was drafted by the [[Florida Marlins]] in the fifth round of the [[1999 Major League Baseball draft]]. Robertson underwent [[Tommy John surgery]] in 1998 while a sophomore at Wichita State.<ref>{{cite news | title=Tigers know jewels found later in Draft: Zumaya not only big name culled outside top rounds | first=Jason | last=Beck | work=[[MLB.com]] | date=June 10, 2009 | access-date=June 17, 2009 | url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090610&content_id=5246050&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det}}</ref> Robertson pitched for the Low-A [[Utica Blue Sox]] and Single-A [[Kane County Cougars]]; with the latter he was 6–1 with a 2.29 ERA in eight starts. Robertson returned to Kane County for the {{baseball year|2000}} season but spent most of the year on the disabled list battling tendinitis in his left elbow. Florida moved him up to the High-A [[Brevard County Manatees]], where he went 11–4 as a starter. Robertson's rise continued in {{baseball year|2002}}, as Florida promoted him to the Double-A [[Portland Sea Dogs]] of the [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|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.<ref name="ut091002">{{cite news | title=Team notes: National League East | date=September 10, 2002 | work=[[USA Today]] | access-date=June 17, 2009 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2002-09-11/nleastnotes.htm}}</ref>

Robertson made his Major League debut on September 7, 2002, for the Marlins, pitching {{frac|4|2|3}} innings and allowing four earned runs in a 4–1 loss to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] at [[PNC Park]].<ref name="ut091002" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news | title=Timeout: Marlins, Tigers complete a five-player deal | publisher=[[Gainesville Sun]] | date=January 12, 2003 | access-date=June 17, 2009 | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jSYSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fusDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6764,2506541&dq=nate-robertson+detroit}}</ref>

===Detroit Tigers===
Robertson began the {{baseball year|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 8{{fraction|1|3}} innings against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|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.<ref>{{cite news | title=Box Score: Tex 4, Det 2 | work=[[MLB.com]] | date=August 18, 2003 | access-date=June 17, 2009 | url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2003_08_18_texmlb_detmlb_1}}</ref> Robertson won his first major league game eleven days later, pitching five innings in an 8–4 victory over the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{cite news | title=DETROIT 8, CHI WHITE SOX 4 | work=[[ESPN.com]] | date=August 29, 2003 | access-date=June 17, 2009 | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230829106| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030909150148/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230829106| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 9, 2003}}</ref>

Robertson's best pitch is his four-seam [[fastball]], followed by a "plus" slider and major-league quality change-up.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}

In 2005, he began wearing clear corrective lenses to correct his [[Amblyopia|lazy eye]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

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.<ref>{{cite news | title=Nate has somethin' to chew on | work=[[New York Post]] | first=Lenn | last=Robbins | date=October 8, 2006 | page=103}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-basesituation-pitching.shtml |title=2008 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situational |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=August 25, 2010}}</ref>

Robertson is also a part owner of the [[Wichita Wingnuts]] independent baseball organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/frontofficestaff.html |title=Front Office Staff – Wichita Wingnuts Baseball |publisher=Wichitawingnuts.com |access-date=August 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726200759/http://www.wichitawingnuts.com/frontofficestaff.html |archive-date=July 26, 2010 }}</ref>

On August 22, 2008, Tigers manager [[Jim Leyland]] announced that Nate was being demoted to the [[bullpen]] due to ongoing trouble with his [[Slider (baseball)|slider]].<ref>{{cite web|author=AP Photo |url=http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2008/08/tigers_move_nate_robertson_to.html |title=Tigers move Nate Robertson to bullpen |date=August 23, 2008 |publisher=Mlive.com |access-date=August 25, 2010}}</ref>  Nate was quoted by the [[Detroit Free Press]] as saying that it was the "lowest point" of his career.<ref>{{cite news | title=Nate Robertson sent to bullpen; Dontrelle Willis won't replace him | first=John | last=Lowe | publisher=[[Detroit Free Press]] | url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808230376 | date=August 23, 2008 | access-date=August 25, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

===Florida Marlins (second stint)===
On March 30, 2010, Robertson was traded to the Florida Marlins for minor league pitcher Jay Voss and cash considerations.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/03/30/tigers.willis/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403013320/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/03/30/tigers.willis/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 3, 2010|title=Tigers trade Robertson to Marlins; Willis wins rotation spot|date=March 30, 2010|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref>  He was designated for assignment on July 21.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2010/07/21/florida-marlins-designate-nate-robertson-for-assignment-call-up-catcher-brad-davis/ |work=Fish Tank, a PalmBeachPost.com blog |title=Florida Marlins designate Nate Robertson for assignment; call up catcher Brad Davis |publisher=Blogs.palmbeachpost.com |date=July 21, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723143046/http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2010/07/21/florida-marlins-designate-nate-robertson-for-assignment-call-up-catcher-brad-davis/ |archive-date=July 23, 2010 }}</ref> He was released on July 27.

===St. Louis Cardinals===
On August 5, 2010, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. He was assigned to the Triple-A [[Memphis Redbirds]].  Robertson exercised an opt-out clause on August 23,<ref>{{cite web|author=Matthew Leach |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100824&content_id=13861344&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Cards put Reyes on DL; recall Salas &#124; MLB.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=August 25, 2010}}</ref> 

===Philadelphia Phillies===
On August 25, 2010, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], reporting to Triple-A [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs|Lehigh Valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=331557 |title=Phillies sign P Robertson to minor league deal |publisher=Tsn.ca |access-date=August 25, 2010}}</ref> He had his contract selected to the major league roster on September 6. On September 9, 2010, Robertson was designated for assignment by the Phillies, a day after giving up 5 runs in {{frac|2|3}} innings against the Marlins and nearly blowing a 10-run lead. He was released the next day.

===Seattle Mariners===
On January 20, 2011, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the [[Seattle Mariners]] with an invitation to Spring training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/01/mariners-sign-gerut-robertson-to-minor-league-deals.html |title = Mariners Sign Jody Gerut, Nate Robertson - MLB Trade Rumors| date=January 20, 2011 }}</ref> He elected free agency following the season on November 2.

===Chicago Cubs===
On February 18, 2012, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/02/19/report-chicago-cubs-have-signed-pitcher-nate-robertson/ |title = Report: Chicago Cubs Have Signed Pitcher Nate Robertson}}</ref> He was released on May 29.

===Wichita Wingnuts===
On June 18, 2012, Robertson signed with the [[Wichita Wingnuts]] of the [[American Association of Professional Baseball]]. In 3 starts 8 innings of work he went 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 6 strikeouts.

===Toronto Blue Jays===
On July 16, 2012, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. The Blue Jays assigned Robertson to their AAA affiliate [[Las Vegas 51s]]. He elected free agency following the season November 2.

===Texas Rangers===
On January 26, 2013, the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] signed Robertson to a minor league contract.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=jcrasnick|author=Jerry Crasnick|number=293521486113816576|date=January 22, 2013|title=Nate Robertson is signing minor league deal with #rangers with an invitation to big league camp, says agent Steve Canter.}}</ref> He elected free agency following the season on November 4.

===Detroit Tigers (second stint)===
On March 6, 2014, Robertson signed a minor league deal with the [[Detroit Tigers]]. On May 17, 2014, Robertson was granted his release from the Tigers, as he was struggling with his command in Triple-A.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140517/SPORTS0104/305170038 |title=Never a serious candidate for a call-up, Tigers release veteran Nate Robertson &#124; the Detroit News |website=www.detroitnews.com |access-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140524062540/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140517/SPORTS0104/305170038 |archive-date=May 24, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Coaching career===
{{BLP unsourced section|date=April 2020}}
Robertson is now a pitching coach for Maize High School. In 2017, he won a state championship.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats |mlb=425146 |espn=5336 |br=r/roberna01 |fangraphs=1620|brm=robert001nat}}
*[http://naterobertson.mlblogs.com/ Nate Robertson official blog]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Nate}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Florida Marlins players]]
[[Category:Detroit Tigers players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:Wichita State Shockers baseball players]]
[[Category:Utica Blue Sox players]]
[[Category:Kane County Cougars players]]
[[Category:Portland Sea Dogs players]]
[[Category:Brevard County Manatees players]]
[[Category:Toledo Mud Hens players]]
[[Category:Erie SeaWolves players]]
[[Category:Memphis Redbirds players]]
[[Category:Lehigh Valley IronPigs players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Tacoma Rainiers players]]
[[Category:Iowa Cubs players]]
[[Category:Wichita Wingnuts players]]
[[Category:Las Vegas 51s players]]
[[Category:Round Rock Express players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Wichita, Kansas]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]