Getting ready for the game
Not going to have a lot of family here tomorrow night. I’d have a lot more if I had a bigger bank account, but we had to simplify it. I think what the majority of them are planning to do is have a party back home in Wichita, and just watch the game on TV. My parents and my brothers and my grandma are going to be here along with my wife, and that’s going to be the majority of it. My mailbox is full on my phone. It’s just sometimes in these situations, the most challenging thing you have to deal with is tickets and everything else, especially when you’re pitching close to home.
It’ll be about two weeks between starts for me. I’ve thrown a couple of side sessions since my start in Oakland, and for a pitcher, it’s about feel. Obviously it’s different with hitters, and there’s a different type of intensity when you have a hitter in the box in this type of situation. But I feel pretty good. In my side session two days ago, it went really well.
It’ll be a new park for me, obviously. So when I went outside for our workout, I wanted to see the dimensions of the left-field wall, see how far I have to get it out there to get it over the fence. Hopefully, Carpenter doesn’t hang me a curveball or something. Just kidding. I don’t know how the field favors righties or lefties. Obviously, I wanted to see the grass of the infield, see if the ball scoots a little bit.
We broke out the gum again last night. Tyson Steele, our assistant clubhouse manager, came down and had it going when he tacked on the extra run with Casey’s hit.
Nate Robertson's Gum Time 
Good luck Nate – knock ’em dead!
Good Luck Nate. This is gonna be fun seeing you at the plate. I’ll stand up and cheer you on extra hard at home when you come up. If you can you should take a swing for the fences, show ’em AL pitchers are just as good NL pitchers. Go get ’em Bulldog Nate.
Nate, I’m tired of hearing about Kenny’s hand…I think he did amazing, but no one can seem to focus on that.
Go out tomorrow and shut the critics up. Go out show them that we do know how to play ball, clearing rounds one and two weren’t enough for them.
Anyhow, I’m gonna get my “Gum Time” shirt out tomorrow and watch the game with my family, the first one of the post-season. The weekend at Hockeytown Cafe was amazing!!!!!!!! I had a good time! God Bless tomorrow! Go Get ‘Em!!!!!!!!!
❤ Erica
Go out there and pitch the game of your life, Nate. A lot of Red Sox Nation is rooting for you guys . . . what has been done this season is nothing short of amazing.
I’ll be wearing a Red Sox shirt tomorrow in honor of the Tigers. Hey, we beat the Cardinals, so can you!
Go Tigers!
-A
http://catchingredsox.mlblogs.com
‘Nate, I’m tired of hearing about Kenny’s hand…I think he did amazing, but no one can seem to focus on that.”
Tough to focus on that when Sports Illustrated has photographic proof that last night wasn’t the first time Rogers had “dirt” on his hands.
It shouldn’t take away from how good the Tigers are playing as team, and it has nothing to do with Nate, but when no on involved can keep their stories straight, you have to admit it looks awfully suspicious.
All the Tiger fans who work at the Target Distribution Center in Galesburg, MI will be rooting for the Tigers while we do our jobs. Shut those redbirds up, Nate!
Hey Nate: You’ll have plenty of your “extended family” watching you and with you in spirits tomorrow night. Chew the gum and have some fun…it’s the World Series!
A few comments about Kenny…With this incredible babble on the airwaves today, and I mean babble………I imagine FOX is hoping the ratings will go up? If a game 6 is necessary, Kenny will put the “smudge” on the media’s face. I would much rather watch the game on Fox D with Mario and Rod so I will simply turn the sound off on the TV and listen to 1270AM.
You go out there and be Nate. Our “O” will show up for you. (Just wash your hands after warm-ups) LOL
GO TIGERS! U ROCK!
good luck tomarrow nate!!!
i’m wearing my GUM TIME shirt with your name on the back tomarrow too!
Hi Guys,
It does seem as though every national broadcast of Tigers ballgames the announcers have a bias against them. Sunday’s game was the worst example I’ve seen. They were obsessed with simple dirt on Kenny’s hand, and when the Tigers did score, they seemed upset. Boy, I sure miss the good old days of George Kell and Al Kaline.
– Tim (biggest Tigers fan in Hawaii!)
Go get em, Nater!
Best of luck Nate!!! Just be cool, smooth, get the batters out one at a time and pitch by pitch.
The Tigers’ defense will back you up again!! Tigers’ hitting is starting to awaken, let’s hope the Red Birds’ hitting will slacken.
ROLL BABY ROLL!!! GO TIGERS GO!!!
Best of the best to you all!!!
This whole Rogers thing is getting stale. Give St. Louis something new to cry about, Nate. We’re behind you!
Nate,
You might not have a lot of family there, but your Michigan “family” will be cheering you on like crazy!!! No matter what the press says…WE LOVE OUR TIGERS!!! Knock ’em dead and let’s shut the Cards down, hard.
We’re all ready. We have our hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, jackets, and (most importantly) gum. The last of which we won’t need, because you’re going to pitch a shut-out and the guys are going to smack the ball out of the park so much, the grounds crew is going to have to scramble to get more baseballs for you to pitch.
We were there Sunday night, thought the whole game went smoothly. It was perfect, good pitching (no, GREAT pitching) just enough hitting and no rain. As for game three I can see tomorrow’s headline now,”Nate the Great” and the next line “No Time for Gum Time”. Let’s go Nate, you are ready, we are ready. Go Tigers!
Hey Nate,
It was good seeing you in KC. You have had a **** of a playoff/world series run. Hagman and myself will be watching tonight. It ***** being in Kansas with all these cards fans. You’ve given Painter some grief make him suffer Good Luck – Jed
Hey Nate,
Don’t let the Kenny Rogers hand bring you guys down. I know that several sources are trying to find excuses as to why the Tigers are where they are, however don’t let what people say bother you. Show them on the field why you are where you are. Good Luck, Go Tigers and Bless You Boys
Hey Nate! I just wanted to say that my roommate and I will be cheering you on tonight here at MSU. I think I can say that the entire campus at Michigan State will be cheering you on as well! Good luck, buddy! Go Tigers!
Nate and the rest of the Tigers: Keep up the great work. Hope your two weeks’ rest doesn’t make you too rusty.
My oldest (8yo) is really into the Tigers this year. He was up with me throughout Game 1, and, for Game 2, he made sure I told him in the morning how the Tigers did. He even made up a sign for you guys and said he wished you could see it through the TV.
We’ll be watching from SE Michigan!
Mike
Go get them Nate – go right at them….we’ll be yelling for ya all the way from Alexandria, Virginia!
Hey Nate — I’m praying for you to do your best tonight. Can’t wait to see you out there pitching a great game. Thanks to you and all the rest of the guys for giving us Michiganders this great reason to cheer!
Marty
Nate go out and pitch your game tonite, forget all the other **** that Fox wants to start and play Tiger baseball, the whole state of Michigan is behind you guys. GO TIGERS!!!
Nate, good luck tonight, from a Wichita native!! However, I am a Cardinal fan, like I said before have watched you all, all season and it has been such fun. So I wish you a good game, but a Cardinal victory!!!
Nate, good luck tonight. PITCH THE GAME OF YOUR LIFE, LIVE IN THE MOMENT.
BRAD, ZEELAND MI
Nate I know you’re gonna pitch well. So go out there and enjoy yourself. Most importantly, have fun! You never know when the next time will be, or if it will ever come again. Forget all the controversy and hoopla that the media asks. It’s your time to shine Nate. Go out and prove that they’re wrong in handing Game 3 to Carpenter. Best thing you can do at the plate is be patient. So good luck Nate, and have fun.
Nate,
one word of advice…dont rub gum on your hand!!!!!
Hey Nate…I talk to ya all the time on myspace…didn’t know you had a blog on here! Well, good luck tonight. Can’t wait to see you on the mound and I’m sorry your whole family couldn’t be there to see this. I will cheer extra hard for you tonight while watching it at home.
Oh yeah Nate…I already have my Gum Time t-shirt on…with your pic and a pack of big league chew on top of my tv waiting patiently
Good luck tonight, Nate!
GO NATE!!!
i read the story about brandon inges lack of respect thing about him watchin tv and all he seen was the kenny rogers hand controversy he said he feels disrepected bout that and i agree. la russa didnt take it serious and wasnt a big deal. well those t shirts that will be sold in st louis at tonights game that says cards brought the heat detroit had to cheat, really pisses me off. he was not cheating. well once again good luck with tonights game and have fun and tell all the other players good luck.
well i got’sta go now nate,love you!!!!!!!
and please remember i love you for you hard work this season and i llllooveeee al the other players! and jim leyland!!!
there ain’t no party like a dee-troit party cuz a dee-troit party never stops!!
And here’s to you, Mr. Robertson,
Jesus loves you more than you will know.
God bless you, please Mr. Robertson.
Heaven holds a place for those who pray,
Hey, hey, hey
Ask Kenny if he’s going to retire or re-tar.
NATE-
Don’t worry about not having your family at the game. Your family will be watchin from home and your baseball family in New York will be watching you from here. You guys have played with so much heart all in this post-season. I just hope we can scream and cheer loud enough for you to hear us in St. Louis. We believe in you, you have family wherever you go. Good luck tonight…listen for us cheering…you will hear us in your heart.
Hope we get the game in tonight, Nate. Wish you well, of course. Thanks for spanking the yankees and putting them to sleep for another longgggggg Steinbrenner winter. It’s getting to be an annual tradition isn’t it? NYY win the AL East for the umpteenth consecutive year, then choke and fold like an accordian the first chance they get in the playoffs.
If my email contradicts my sentiments, it’s because I’m just borrowing it from a good friend of mine named Vince. I don’t have my own address yet, and since we’re both stuck here in a drug rehab halfway house another six weeks, he’s letting me borrow his. He’s a BIG yankee fan, so I get to laugh at him a lot, at least 6 of the last 7 years we’ve both been in jail, prison, or rehab. Keeps me going.
I love what the Tigers did to the Yankees, but everybody beats them anymore. And I’m rootin’ for the Cardinals. I think they’ll finish their business with you before you leave St. Louis. I’m talking about them sweeping you there. 1-4.
But, thankfully, you don’t pick up the loss here tonight, Nate, you will get a no decision. You’ll leave down about 2-5. Your team will come back to tie to get you off the hook. But the Cards will come back to take tonight’s game with a late inning rally. They shut you out Weds and Thurs then everyone can go home and get ready for the deer season!
Sorry Tigers fans, but this is the Cardinals year. They’re going to play a clean series, play with a lot of heart and soul, and come out on top. GO CARDS!!!!!
Hope we get the game in tonight, Nate. Wish you well, of course. Thanks for spanking the yankees and putting them to sleep for another longgggggg Steinbrenner winter. It’s getting to be an annual tradition isn’t it? NYY win the AL East for the umpteenth consecutive year, then choke and fold like an accordian the first chance they get in the playoffs.
If my email contradicts my sentiments, it’s because I’m just borrowing it from a good friend of mine named Vince. I don’t have my own address yet, and since we’re both stuck here in a drug rehab halfway house another six weeks, he’s letting me borrow his. He’s a BIG yankee fan, so I get to laugh at him a lot, at least 6 of the last 7 years we’ve both been in jail, prison, or rehab. Keeps me going.
I love what the Tigers did to the Yankees, but everybody beats them anymore. And I’m rootin’ for the Cardinals. I think they’ll finish their business with you before you leave St. Louis. I’m talking about them sweeping you there. 1-4.
But, thankfully, you don’t pick up the loss here tonight, Nate, you will get a no decision. You’ll leave down about 2-5. Your team will come back to tie to get you off the hook. But the Cards will come back to take tonight’s game with a late inning rally. They shut you out Weds and Thurs then everyone can go home and get ready for the deer season!
Plus, shut up Arielle. You’re only 16. You’re not even legal! Not even old enough to drink, let alone think, girl!
JUST KIDDING, ARIELLE. YOU KNOW WE ALL LOVE YOU. USE TO SEE YOU OVER ON THE BOSTON BLOG ALL THE TIME! HOW YOU BEEN? WHAT DO YOU THINK THE RED SOX WILL DO TO GET BETTER THIS OFF SEASON?
I actaully love the fact that ESPN and everybody who has a tie with the cardinals thinks Kenny cheated because all that does is make the tigers feel even more disrespected like they can’t win a game on their own. When Nate pitches a good game tonight here is Tim McCarver” Can we get the cameras to focus on Nate in the dugout? Now I don’t think its legal to chew that amount of gum at one time.But uh,La Russa should ask the umpire to inspect Nate, we don’t want him outpitching the minor league cy young winner, right Joe?”
More power to Kenny . . he tried pine tar, got away with it for a while, got caught, cleaned it off and still pitched great. The umpires just need to enforce the rules. I for one will not be booing Kenny at the game tonight, I blame the officials for letting it slide. I don’t think the issue will come up again because there won’t be a game 6 for Kenny, Cards are going to sweep the Tigers in St Louis. Time to put on my red and head to the ballpark. GO CARDS!!!!!
Nate,
Just wanted to say good luck,and let you know my grandson Kaden he is the one everyone is calling “The Littlest Tiger”,he will be watching also,we are proud of all of you,”GO TIGERS”.
What a thrill…give ’em **** nate.
I just have to say to all of you St.Louis fans…”Detroit don’t have to cheat, to beat the Cardinals”,our bats and players will speak tonight,so shut your mouths sit back,relax,and watch the Tigers take another one from your team,GO TIGERS.
nate, before you start game 3 tonight, please wash your hands and show the umpires before you go to the mound. you dont want to be accused of cheating. i think the kenny stuff is bull**** because he was not cheating
good luck nate i love you and all the other players! good luck to them to! go tigers!!!!!!
Tonights Score
Tigers 4
Cardinal 2
Nate goes 7 1/3 strong innings. Player of the game will be Curtis
Good Luck Nate, If I was you I would somehow try and LEGALLY discolor my pitching hand so as to make Tim McCarver crazy.
Seriously I do understand the uproar. If we had seen the same thing on Reyes’ pitching hand the other night we would have been calling for a congressional investigation. Also looked bad when Leyland, Rodgers, and Palermo all had different explanations.
The key will be to wrap this puppy up before Kenny has to pitch again and that starts tonight!
Jim
Lansing
well i think the tigers will win.
im guessing on the score of:
Tigers:8
Cards:1
Good luck tonight nate. Do you best i know its not easy to pitch a perfect game with them scoring no points but do your best your a great pitcher and i love you all! Go tigers!!!!!!!
Hey Nate,
Good Luck tonight from a longtime Tigers fan. I was born in Detroit 54 years ago, and even though I lived in Southern California for 32 years, I am enjoying the restoration of the Old English D this year. You and your teammates have been special. I’ve been pulling for you since you first arrived (I think it’s the glasses–I’ve been wearing them since I was 6).
Tonight the right guy is on the mound for us. And you’re against the ace of the Cardinals, which is no different for you this postseason. So go get ’em just like you’ve been doing all year.
Nate,
I’m putting the gum in when you’re up to bat. Maybe you don’t get run support because you’re not in the lineup. Knock ’em in!
Chris G
http://www.navinfield.com
Nate,
Wishing you all the best in St. Louis. Stay warm and have fun. I can’t wait to record the distance on your home run tonight! 🙂 hee hee
– Yvette
How I love the irony!!!
Isn’t it so ironic that the same fans that cheered Mark McGuire on when he broke the Home Run record in 1998, are now complaining about fairness in baseball!!!
And I thought the Angels played in Anaheim…
This is a dream come true. Just about a month ago, Jeff was saying, ‘you know, it’s possible if the Cards and the Tigers win, they’ll play each other and they’ll be here in St. L.’ and I tried to not get my hopes up. But here you are. This is your night and we couldn’t be prouder! Monica and Alice are on their way here. Gary and Ruby are already here and we are all cheering for YOU and your team. This is your night. Blessings. Sarah N-P
Go Nate! I did my “Nate! Nate the Great!” and sung “Nathan Jones, You’ve been Gone too Long” from the old Supremes song “Nathan Jones”.
Nate,
Saw you pitch for the first time tonight! You haven’t changed a bit. Talked with Kevan Schomaker not to long ago. “Turns into **** after 8 o’clock” Kevan figured you would know what that means. I wouldn’t mind shooting the breeze with an old friend if you ever have time. My husband and come to Michigan once and awhile and visit a great bed and breakfast in union pier. Good Luck.
Kristi Allen
AKA Schmidt
Hey Nate: You did fine. It was all about the Tiger bats and the superb pitching from Carpenter. We’ll get them the next time. Bring it back to the D.
ST. LOUIS 5
DETROIT 0
ST. LOUIS 2-1
DETROIT 1-2
GAME 4
SUPPAN VS BONDERMAN
GAME 5
REYES VS VERLANDER
u have 2 hope reyes does not pitch as well as game 1 and verlander pitches better–if not, series is over here in st louis with a cards sweep and 4-1 series–if yes, det is 3-2/rodgers wins game-6/cards win again in a robertson-carpenter rematch. it’s st. louis’ series to lose.
Game 3 goes to Cards 5-0.
Hi Nate, You still pitched a good game!! Remember 1968!!
Preston hit and then struck-out later in the 5th, Pujol hit a double that was a ball 8 to 10-inches off the plate as K. Rogers said, but Pujol is a good hitter so no big deal. Then Edmonds doubled. Still not a big deal because you were still pitching good. You know all this anyway since you were there!! I am just saying it’s no big deal, and remember the 1968 WS.
You pitched good Nate, and so did Rodney and Grilli and Zoom was just rusty from not pitching for awhile and his injury, plus it was his first time in the WS. No big deal. You guys did OK.
Carpenter’s pitching was very good and our hitting just wasn’t and hasn’t been there at the right times.
You Tigers will win tomorrow. Don’t forget 1968!!
ROLL BABY ROLL!! GO TIGERS GO!!
You played with heart, Nate, and held them down pretty good. Everyone else did their best but getting a hit of Carp looked like a hard task. On to game 4. I still believe!
Nate, you are a great pitcher
and even though you guys lost you still pitched great and I think that you’ll still come back and win it all. You are a bull dog and if you want to set an example for younger people then you can’t give up yourself.So good luck and I think you’ll do better next time so keep your chin up and keep trying. It is a shame that your wife and grandma and brothers couldn’t see you win but there is always next game or next season.
Good Luck next time!!!
Bless you Boys!!!
~~~Blair Kennedy~~
Nate I know u can pitch when all is right. So get a HAIR cut and SHAVE be your old self your arm is better. But U look like a BUMB. Please change for the fans. Thanks partner John Jensen a real fan 4 life
Just finished looking at the box score of the game you pitched for Erie against Altoona. Noticed you had a no hitter going for six innings. I know they probably had you on some sort of pitch count but since it was a no hitter did you try even a little bit to talk them into leaving you in? I know it’s a minor league game but a no hitter is still a no hitter. May be you could have escaped the pie in the face like Verlander got from Jones.
Nate, I used to hate sports, but the Tigers have captivated me since last year. Also the fact that many on your team take time for regular Bible studies. Whatever happens with the game, that’s where it’s REALLY at! God bless.