About Mike

My Career

Main Story

I started playing pro ball in 1998 after my junior year at UCF. After being drafted in the third round by the Boston Red Sox, I played short season A-ball for the Lowell Spinners after being signed in August.  

In July 1999, I was traded to the Detroit Tigers in return for veteran pitcher Bryce Florie. I came up through the Tigers organization playing on the Florida State League (A) Lakeland Tigers in 1999, Southern League (AA) Jacksonville Suns in 2001, Arizona Fall League in 2001 and International League (AAA) Toledo Mud Hens in 2001. In 2002, I was assigned to AAA Toledo but was called up to make my Major League Debut for the Tigers in early June.

On June 8, 2002, I made my Major League debut with the Tigers, throwing seven shutout innings at Comerica Park against the Philadelphia Phillies.

After a career best start to the 2006 season, I was sidelined with surgery to remove bone chips in my elbow in early June. The 2006 season was an exciting year for Tiger baseball with an appearance in the World Series.

In 2007, I was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, and in 2008 I signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals. Early in the 2008 season, I underwent shoulder surgery performed by Dr. Lewis Yokum in Los Angeles, Calif.  Rehabbing from shoulder surgery, I was forced to sit out the entire 2008 season. 

I began the 2009 season as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays but suffered a season ending knee injury just two days into spring workouts.  In April, I had surgery to repair the ligament.  I look forward to getting back on the mound soon.

 

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Major League debut: June 8, 2002 - Pitched seven shutout innings.
  • First Major League win and first Major League hit (off Curt Schilling) came against the Arizona Diamondbacks during my second career start on June 14, 2002.
  • Won 14 games in 2005
  • Pitched a complete game shutout against the New York Yankees, allowing only one hit.

Personal & Family Life

Family at the Ballpark
  • Played on the Detroit Tigers 2006 World Series team
  • Helped raise nearly $50,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Michigan Chapter
  • Birthdate: August 17, 1977
  • Birthplace: Orlando, Florida
  • Boone High School - Orlando, Florida
    Class of 1995
  • University of Central Florida "Golden Knights"
    1995-1998
    Majored in Business Administration

Brooke and I in met in 1997 while attending University of Central Florida in Orlando. I asked her to marry me in Central Park during Christmas of 1998. We were married on January 20, 2001. We have three children, a son Nolan, a son Tate, and a daughter Kettie.   Nolan Everett, born October 29, 2003 and our youngest son, Tate Montgomery, was born on November 25, 2005. The newest addition to our family, Kettie Georgia, was born October 12, 2009.  Currently, we make our home in the Orlando, Florida area. We are very blessed that most of our family also lives in Central Florida so we can spend a lot of time with them during the off-season. Our home church is Windermere Community Church, in Windermere, Fla. (www.windermerecommunitychurch.com)