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former major leaguer Nate Colbert has died, the Padres announced. he was 76 years old.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Padres Hall of Famer Nate Colbert.” said team president Peter Seidler as part of a statement from the club.My deepest condolences to his wife, Casey and the entire Colbert family during this very difficult time.”
Seidler’s statement noted that Colbert still holds the franchise record for most home runs for the Flyers with 163 long balls in a San Diego uniform. It’s probably his most famous achievement, but the St. Louis native was named his three-time All-Star and spent 10 years in the Big His league. Colbert, who first signed with his hometown Cardinals in 1964, only made it to the majors two years later with the Astros. He appeared in 39 games for Houston between 1966-68, earning his first overtime action after landing in the first year the Padres existed.
Selected by San Diego during the expansion draft before his debut in 1969, right-handed hitting Colbert quickly cemented himself as one of the game’s better sluggers. He hit 24 home runs in his first full season. In his second season, he recorded 38 long balls. This figure tied him for eighth place in the majors in 1970, and from 1971 to 1973 he made three straight All-Star appearances.
In that three-year stretch, Colbert hit 27, 38 and 22 long balls respectively.that’s all Johnny Bench In his first five seasons with the Flyers, the 6’2″ first baseman hit .260/.333/.483 in just over 3,000 at-bats. Colbert finished ninth all-time in home runs and 19th among eligible hitters in slugging percentage. His overall offensive power was 28 points higher than the league hitter average at the time, as measured by wRC+.
Colbert’s numbers declined after his 28th birthday. He had his first sub-par season in 1974, and the Padres traded him to the Tigers in the subsequent offseason as part of a three-team deal with St. Louis. Colbert then made short stops at the Expos and A’s, but he struggled. He retired after a 30-year-old campaign in the 1976 season.
Although he didn’t have as long a career as he once thought, Colbert had a strong five-year peak as one of the sport’s preeminent power hitters. Placed eighth in the 1972 NL MVP voting. 10 in part of his season, he batted . 243/. 322/. The Padres elected him to the organization’s Hall of Fame as part of their first class of 1999.
After his playing career, Colbert spent some time as a minor league batting instructor. As part of his statement, Seidler said that Colbert “(Dedicated) Giving his time to underprivileged youth through his ministry.MLBTR extends its condolences to Colbert’s family, friends, loved ones and former teammates.
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