About Mike

My Career

Main Story

I started playing pro ball when I was drafted in 1998, after my junior year at UCF. I was the 3rd round pick of the Boston Red Sox. I played short season A-ball for the Lowell Spinners after signing 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. I started the 2002 season assigned to AAA Toledo but was called up to make my Major League Debut for the Tigers in early June.

On June 8th, 2002, I made my Major League debut with the Tigers, tossing 7 shut out innings at Comerica Park against the Philadelphia Phillies. I have remained a starting pitcher on the Tigers pitching staff since then. When I bat during inter-league play, I bat lefty too.

After having a career best start to the 2006 season, I was sidelined with surgery to remove bone chips in my elbow in early June. Following my surgery, I focused on getting healthy and looking forward to this season. 2007 will be another exciting year for Tiger baseball and this season I hope to help lead us straight to another appearance in the World Series and bringing home the championship to Detroit.

Midway through the 2007 season, I was traded from the Tigers to the St. Louis Cardinals. As a free agent at the end of 2007, I signed with the Kansas City Royals for the 2008 seasons.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Major League debut: June 8, 2002-Pitched 7 shut out 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.
  • Winning 14 games in 2005
  • Shut out against the NY Yankees, allowing only one hit.
  • Part of the team turn around for the Detroit Tigers

Personal & Family Life

Family at the Ballpark
  • 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. Our son, Nolan Everett, was born October 29, 2003 and our youngest son, Tate Montgomery, was born on November 25, 2005. We live in the Orlando area during the off-season and we all move up to Detroit for the entire season. We are very blessed that most of our family 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, FL (www.windermerecommunitychurch.com).