NATE ROBERTSON - LH PITCHER - #29 - (2003-2010)

2007 SEASON

Completed his fourth full season as a member of the Tigers starting rotation, finishing third on the staff with nine wins and 119 strikeouts.

• Started 30 games for the Tigers, giving him 134 games started for the club during his career -- is now 10th in club history among lefthanded pitchers in games started after passing Dutch Leonard (112), Ed Siever (123), Harry Coveleski (125) and Don Mossi (129) during the season.

• Won three of his first four decisions over a six-start stretch April 4-May 2, posting a 2.48 ERA (40.0IP/11ER)...took the loss in five of his next six starts May 9-June 5, recording a 9.24 ERA (25.1IP/26ER).

• Tabbed the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for April after compiling a 2-1 record and 2.43 ERA (33.1IP/9ER) in five starts -- fifth in the American League with his 2.43 ERA during the month.

• Landed on the disabled list on June 6 with a tired arm.

• Assigned to Double A Erie for an injury rehab assignment on June 21 -- fired six no-hit innings that day versus Altoona, fanning six batters to earn the win.

• Recalled from his injury rehab assignment with Erie and reinstated from the disabled list on June 26.

• Compiled a 2-0 record and 3.04 ERA (23.2IP/8ER) over four-start stretch following his return from the disabled list June 26-Juy 17.

• Fanned a season-high nine batters on August 7 versus Tampa Bay.

• Tied for fourth in the American League with 29 strikeouts during August, while he tied for 13th with 38.1 innings pitched -- posted a 1-3 record and 4.93 ERA (38.1IP/21ER) in six starts during the month.

• Eighth in the American League with a .224 batting average against (33x147) in September -- finished 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA (38.1IP/16ER) in six starts during the month.

• Posted a 5-4 record and 4.25 ERA (97.1IP/46ER) in 16 starts at Comerica Park...finished 4-9 with a 5.38 ERA (80.1IP/48ER) in 14 starts on the road.

MAJOR LEAGUE CAREER

Established career bests with 13 wins and 208.2 innings pitched for the Tigers in 2006, while he matched a high with 32 games started.

• Posted a season-best four-game winning streak April 22-May 26, compiling a 1.60 ERA (45.0IP/8ER) over the seven start stretch.

• Tied for ninth in the American League with three wins during April -- posted a 3.77 ERA (28.2IP/12ER) in five starts.

• Established a career best with a 14.1-inning scoreless streak over three starts May 16-26.

• Tied for ninth in the league with a 3.18 ERA (39.2IP/14ER) in six starts during May.

• Finished 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA (32.0IP/9ER) in five starts during June -- 10th in the American League with a 2.53 ERA during the month.

• Lost seven of his final 10 decisions over an 11-start stretch August 3-September 27, compiling a 3.79 ERA (73.2IP/31ER).

• Led the American League with five losses during August, while he was ninth with 41.0 innings pitched -- finished 1-5 with a 4.61 ERA (41.0IP/21ER) in six starts during the month.

• Eighth in the league with a 2.76 ERA (32.2IP/10ER) in five starts during September.

• Posted a 1.46 ground ball/fly ball ratio (313 ground ball outs/215 fly ball outs), ninth-best in the league.

• Limited lefthanded opposition to a .181 batting average (35x193) -- tops among all league pitchers...righties batted .284 (171x602) with Robertson on the mound.

• Compiled a 6-5 record and 3.47 ERA (96.0IP/37ER) in 15 starts on the road -- seventh in the American League with a 3.47 ERA on the road ... finished 7-8 with a 4.15 ERA (112.2IP/52ER) in 17 starts at Comerica Park.

• Posted an 8-5 record and 3.36 ERA (115.1IP/43ER) in 18 starts prior to the all-star break -- ninth in the league with the 3.36 ERA prior to the break ... registered a 5-8 record and 4.44 ERA (93.1IP/46ER) in 14 starts following the break.

In his third season with the Tigers in 2005, Robertson matched career highs with 32 games started and 196.2 innings pitched.

• Tied for second in the American League with a career-high 16 losses and posted a .304 winning percentage, fourth lowest in the league.

• Allowed 15 unearned runs, tied for third-most in the league, while 10 batters reached base on an error with Robertson on the mound, tied for sixth-most in the league.

• Received 3.66 runs per nine innings from the Tigers offense, the third-lowest run support in the league.

• Averaged 3.46 pitches per batter faced, the fourth-lowest average in the league, while also averaging 14.9 pitches per inning, the 10th-lowest average in the league.

• Posted a 1.59 ground ball/fly ball ratio (325 ground ball outs/204 fly ball outs), fourth-best in the league.

• Allowed 0.53 home runs per nine innings prior to the all-star break, tied for the second-lowest rate among league pitchers...allowed 2.09 home runs per nine innings following the all-star break, the highest rate among league pitchers.

• Allowed 27 of his 28 home runs to righthanded batters, tied with teammate Mike Maroth for the second in the league.

• Issued a career-high seven walks, but did not allow an earned run or factor in the decision on April 29 against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

• Allowed a solo home run to Jason Phillips in the fourth inning on June 7 against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium, snapping a stretch of 47.2 innings without allowing a home run dating back to the third inning on April 19 at Baltimore.

• Fired his first complete game of the season, limiting the Twins to an unearned run on five hits to earn the victory on June 22 at Minnesota.

• Struck out a season-high nine batters, while allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings to take the loss on June 28 versus Chicago.

• Tossed his second complete game in three starts on July 3 versus New York, taking the loss despite limiting the Yankees to one run on nine hits.

• Ejected from the game by home plate umpire Tim McClelland on July 8 at Tampa Bay after one pitch, a pitch that was thrown behind the Devil Rays Carl Crawford -- according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Robertson was the first major league pitcher to exit a game after throwing exactly one pitch since Houston’s Wade Miller recorded one out on one pitch before leaving the game with an injury on August 5, 2001 versus Montreal.

• Allowed one run on five hits over five innings of work to earn the victory on July 15 versus Kansas City, marking his first victory at Comerica Park since defeating the White Sox on August 25, 2004.

• Posted a 3-2 record and 1.45 ERA (43.1IP/7ER) over a six-start stretch June 22-July 20 -- fanned 28 batters, while issuing eight walks over that stretch.

• Allowed at least one home run in 12 of his 13 starts July 15-September 20.

• Lost five consecutive starts August 28-September 20, posting an 8.07 ERA (29.0IP/26ER) and allowing 10 home runs during that stretch.

Led the Tigers staff in 2004 with a career-best 12 victories, the most wins by a Tigers lefthanded pitcher since Justin Thompson won 15 games for the club in 1997.

• Averaged 7.09 strikeouts per nine innings, becoming just the fourth lefthander in Tigers history to average more than seven strikeouts per nine innings in a single season with at least 162.0 innings pitched -- joined Hal Newhouser, Mickey Lolich and Les Cain.

• Made his first two outings of the season in relief, April 6 at Toronto and April 10 at Minnesota, before joining the Tigers starting rotation -- registered his first career save April 6 at Toronto, fanning seven batters in four innings of relief.

• Tied for second in the American League during April with 31 strikeouts -- posted a 1-1 record and 5.19 ERA (26.0IP/15ER) in six games (four starts) during the month.

• Fanned a career-high 10 batters in a loss May 15 versus Texas, allowing three runs on six hits in 5.2 innings.

• Established a career high with a five-game winning streak May 21-June 30 -- posted a 2.65 ERA (54.1IP/16ER) over the eight-start stretch.

• Selected as the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for May after finishing 3-2 with a 3.81 ERA (28.1IP/12ER) in five starts -- tied for seventh in the league with three wins during the month.

• Left his start on June 18 at New York’s Shea Stadium against the Mets in the eighth inning after being struck on his lower right leg on a ball hit back up the middle by Kaz Matsui -- made his next scheduled start on June 24 at Kansas City.

• Second in the league with a .199 batting average against (31x156) during June, tied for sixth with 31 strikeouts, tied for seventh with three wins and 14th with a 2.94 ERA (42.1IP/14ER) -- earned Tigers Pitcher of the Month honors for the second straight month in June.

• Tossed the first complete game of his career August 30 at Kansas City, fanning seven batters and limiting the Royals to one run on six hits in nine innings.

• Forced from his start on September 22 against Cleveland after six innings with a hyperextension of his left ring finger, an injury sustained in the top of the sixth inning on a ball hit back up the middle by Matt Lawton -- X-rays were negative and he made his next scheduled start on September 28 against the Chicago White Sox.

• Eighth in the American League with a 1.67 ground ball/fly ball ratio (298 ground ball outs/178 fly ball outs) and by recording 62.6 percent of his outs put into play via the ground ball.

• Received 6.36 runs per nine innings in support, ninth-highest in the league.

• Averaged 92.84 pitches per start, fourth-fewest among all league starters.

• Induced 27 ground into double plays, tied for seventh-most in the league...induced 1.24 ground into double plays per nine innings, fifth-best in the league.

• Posted an .853 fielding percentage, lowest among league pitchers.

• Tied for second among league pitchers with five errors and five double plays.

• Limited lefties to a .252 batting average (36x143), while righthanded batters hit .279 (174x623) against Robertson.

• Finished 6-7 with a 5.19 ERA (102.1IP/59ER) in 18 games (17 starts) at Comerica Park -- tied for sixth in the league with seven losses at home ... went 6-3 with a 4.58 ERA (94.1IP/48ER) in 16 games (15 starts) on the road.

• In 17 games (15 starts) during the season’s first three months, he went 7-3 with a 3.82 ERA (96.2IP/41ER), 87 strikeouts and a .220 batting average against (79x359) -- led the league during this stretch with a .220 batting average against, while he was sixth with 87 strikeouts, tied for 12th with seven wins and 14th with a 3.82 ERA...in 17 starts after July 1, he finished 5-7 with a 5.94 ERA (100.0IP/66ER) and .322 batting average against -- out of 50 qualifying pitchers during this stretch, he was 43rd with his 5.94 ERA and 48th with a .322 batting average against.

Rookie lefthander spent the final six weeks of the 2003 season in the Tigers starting rotation after being recalled from Triple A Toledo on August 18.

• Made his debut with Detroit versus Texas on August 18 -- fanned a career-high eight batters in a career-best 8.1 innings for a no-decision after limiting the Rangers to two runs on eight hits...the eight strikeouts matched Jeremy Bonderman for the most by a Tigers pitcher in a single game during the 2003 season.

• Earned his first major league win August 29 versus the Chicago White Sox, allowing three runs on nine hits in five innings of work.

• Garnered Tigers Pitcher of the Month honors for August, finishing the month with a 1-0 record and 3.72 ERA (19.1IP/8ER) in three starts.

• In five starts during September, Robertson was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA (25.1IP/19ER)...included in his five starts during the month were two quality starts in which he allowed three runs on 10 hits in 13.0 innings (2.08 ERA) ... surrendered 16 runs on 22 hits over 12.1 innings (11.68 ERA) in his other three starts.

Joined the Florida Marlins in September of 2002 for his first major league action.

• Made his major league debut with the Marlins on September 7 at Pittsburgh after having his contract purchased earlier in the day...took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings.

• Worked in relief during his final five outings of the season with Florida, posting a 17.18 ERA (3.2IP/7ER).

MINOR LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS

Pitched the majority of the 2003 season at Toledo, his first in the Tigers organization.

• Tied for the lead in the International League with three complete games, while he finished fourth with a 3.14 ERA.

• Topped the Mud Hens staff in games started (23), complete games and innings pitched (155.0), while finishing second in wins (9), ERA and strikeouts (102).

• Opened the season on a positive note, going 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA (25.0IP/6ER) in four starts during April -- his ERA was 12th-best in the league during the month.

• Made his lone relief appearance of the season on May 23 in the first game of a doubleheader at Charlotte -- moved to the bullpen for one game to allow Matt Anderson to start on regular rest...suffered the loss after allowing two runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings.

• Fired his three complete games of the 2003 season in a four-start stretch June 8-25, including his lone shutout in the first game of a doubleheader at Richmond on June 25 -- tied for fourth in the league in shutouts...went the distance in a loss at Pawtucket in the second game of a doubleheader on June 8 and he suffered the loss versus Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 19.

• Won four of his final five starts for Toledo July 22-August 11, posting a 1.50 ERA (36.0IP/6ER).

• Made three starts with the Mud Hens during August, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA (20.0IP/3ER) -- tied for fourth in the league in wins and tied for sixth in ERA during the month.

• Held lefties in the International League to a .234 batting average (26x111) ... righties hit .253 (119x470).

• Limited opposition to a .198 batting average (22x111) with runners in scoring position.

Pitched the entire 2002 season with Double A Portland before earning a promotion to Florida in September.

• Tied for second in the Eastern League with three complete games, tied for third with 27 games started and finished fifth with a 3.42 ERA and 163.0 innings pitched.

• Named to the Eastern League’s mid-season all-star squad, Robertson led his club in wins (10), games started (27), innings pitched (163.0) and strikeouts (109)... tied for the team high with three complete games.

• Fourth among all Marlins minor leaguers in strikeouts, fifth in wins and eighth in ERA.

• Fired back-to-back complete games June 14 at Akron and June 20 versus Altoona...suffered the loss on June 14, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits in eight innings...fanned a season-high eight batters to earn the win June 20, limiting the Curve to one run on two hits.

• Recorded his third complete game of the season in the first game of a doubleheader July 5 versus Norwich, taking the loss after surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits in seven innings.

• Posted a 1.26 ERA (35.2IP/5ER) in five starts during July, but he was on the losing end of both of his decisions during the month...Eastern League opposition managed just a .213 batting average (26x122) during the month.

• Posted a 1.05 ground ball/fly ball ratio (173 ground ball outs/165 fly ball outs).

Tied for fourth in the Florida State League with 11 wins and two complete games for Single A Brevard County in 2001 despite missing the first six weeks of the season with an ulnar collateral ligament strain in his left elbow.

• Tied for the team lead with two complete games... second on the staff with 11 wins and third with 19 games started and 106.1 innings.

• Tied for fourth among all Marlins minor leaguers in wins and finished fifth with his 2.88 ERA.

• Won his final seven decisions of the season over an eight-start stretch July 15-August 29, posting a 1.94 ERA (60.1IP/13ER).

• Tossed a complete game on July 30 in the first game of a doubleheader against Vero Beach, earning the win after allowing just one run on eight hits in seven innings.

• Fired his second complete game of the season in the first game of a doubleheader against Vero Beach on August 18 ...earned the win, surrendering two runs (one earned) on six hits in seven innings.

• Held lefties in the Florida State League to a .231 batting average (15x65), while righthanded batters hit .247 (80x324) against him.

• Posted a 1.32 ground ball/fly ball ratio (128 ground ball outs/97 fly ball outs).

• Struggled during the Florida State League playoffs, losing both of his starts and recording a 10.57 ERA (7.2IP/9ER).

Injuries limited Robertson to six starts with Single A Kane County during the 2000 season.

• Made two starts during April before landing on the disabled list on April 20 with left elbow tendinitis.

• Returned to action on June 18 and he started four games before being sidelined for the remainder of the season with a left elbow strain.

Saw action with Single A Utica and Kane County after being selected in the fifth round of the June 1999 draft by the Marlins.

• After five starts with Utica, he was promoted to Kane County late in July.

• Won each of his first five starts with Kane County, posting a 1.06 ERA (34.0IP/4ER).

• Fired a three-hit shutout at Wisconsin on August 7, fanning a season-high eight batters.

• Appeared in two games during the Midwest League playoffs with Kane County, posting a 6.00 ERA (9.0IP/6ER).

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS

He and his wife Kristin reside in Canton, MI.

• Selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 35th round of the June 1995 draft out of Maize High School in Kansas, but he did not sign and elected to attend Wichita State University.

• As a freshman at Wichita State University in 1997, he finished 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 games...led the Missouri Valley Conference with his 2.78 ERA.

• Appeared in one game for Team USA during the summer of 1997, earning the win after allowing one run on two hits in three innings.

• Appeared in just five games as a sophomore at Wichita State University in 1998, recording a 6.00 ERA.

• Selected by the White Sox in the 15th round of the June 1998 draft, but he did not sign.

• Finished 8-0 with a 4.13 ERA in 14 games as a junior in 1999, fanning 77 batters in 81.0 innings.

• Is an active member of the Detroit Action Team, a national youth volunteer initiative administered by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America that is actively recruiting the next generation of volunteers.

CAREER HIGHS
Longest Winning Streak: 5 - 5/21-6/30/04
Longest Losing Streak: 5 - 8/28-9/20/05
Strikeouts: 10 - 5/15/04 vs. TEX
Walks: 6 - 4/29/05 at CWS
Innings (starter): 9.0 (three times) - last, 7/3/05 vs. NYY
Innings (relief): 4.0 - 4/6/04 at TOR
Low-Hit Game (CG): 5 - 6/22/05 at MIN

LEFT/RIGHT SPLITS
vs. lefthanded batters:
2007: .296 (56x189), three home runs
Career: .247 (178x720), 10 home runs
vs. righthanded batters:
2007: .278 (143x514), 19 home runs
Career: .281 (709x2524), 108 home runs

10-OR-MORE STRIKEOUT GAMES (1)
May 15, 2004 vs. Texas (10)

As a child, I rarely experienced hardships. I had a loving family who supported me in all I did. I knew my parents were doing the best they could with what they had. We worked hard for everything we had and lived a simple life. The one major problem I endured in my youth was acceptance amongst my peers. I felt that I didn't belong with those around me. Meaningful relationships were hard to come by. Outward appearance became a huge issue but I just didn't fit in.

Through reading the Bible and attending church, I began to realize that God wasn't concerned about image but the condition of my heart. Jesus spoke in Matthew 6, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I turned my life over to Jesus Christ on January 20, 1991. I now know that He fully accepts and loves me. I have identity and purpose in my life through Jesus Christ.

Today, I look back at my life and how I made it here. As I have grown in my relationship with Jesus, significant changes have taken place in my life. Even at times when I struggled, God has remained faithful to me.

He promised He would never leave me, nor forsake me, and I owe Him my life for that. God loved me even when I was a sinner, and He gave His Son for me. I have now experienced what is written in 1 John 5:11- 12, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."