Windsor's Jacob Robson makes MLB debut with Detroit Tigers
26-year-old outfielder grew up a Tigers fan, in Windsor, Ont.
It was a long road from Windsor, Ont., to Detroit's Comerica Park for Jacob Robson — even though the distance is so short.
The 26-year-old outfielder was a Detroit Tigers fan growing up. He finally had his dream of playing for the team come true, making his Major League Baseball debut Thursday in Baltimore.
"I grew up going to those Tiger games, watching all the the legends — Miggy [Miguel Cabrera], and even I was just having a conversation with Ramón Santiago. I shook his hand when I got in the clubhouse and I was like, 'Man, I used to watch you play for this team,'" Robson told reporters ahead of the game.
"It's pretty special to be a part of this team at the major-league level."
Robson said he was honoured to get the call to join the Tigers. He even attended Game 2 of the 2006 World Series, which Detroit Lost to St. Louis Cardinals.
"I just sort of grew up a huge Tiger fan, and fantasized about playing at Comerica Park and wearing the old 'English D' So I'm really happy."
Robson is expected to be in the lineup Friday night, in what would be his Comerica Park debut.
WATCH | Jacob Robson on what it's like to finally join the Detroit Tigers:
Robson was originally drafted by San Diego Padres in 2012, but chose to go to Mississippi State University instead. He was drafted again in 2016 by the Tigers and has spent five years in the organization's farm system — finally getting the call up this week.
In his first game against the Orioles, Robson was called upon to pinch hit in the sixth inning and play left field. In his two at-bats, he grounded out to second base each time.
We are now in second place in the AL Central. <a href="https://t.co/FxWt4jkvXC">pic.twitter.com/FxWt4jkvXC</a>
—@tigersDespite the long road to his first MLB game, Robson is staying focused. He spoke of that ahead of Thursday's game.
"You know, the biggest thing they say is, 'It's the same game,' and you know that I'm here for a reason and I belong here," he said.
"If I don't go in there, go into the game with that mentality, then I don't think I'm going to have much success. So just remembering that I deserve to be here."
Robson also played for the Canadian team at the Baseball Americas Olympic Qualifier in Florida this summer.
"That was awesome," he said. "Unfortunately, we did not qualify for the Olympics, but I had an awesome time competing with those guys. There's just something different about competing for your country."
This weekend, as Robson is set to make his home debut against Cleveland, his parents in Windsor are trying to figure out how they can be at Comerica Park to see him. The U.S. border is still closed to non-essential traffic from Canada.