Nate Colbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nate Colbert |
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Colbert as a coach with the San Diego Padres in 1983
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: April 9, 1946 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Died: January 5, 2023 (aged 76) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 14, 1966, for the Houston Astros | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 1, 1976, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .243 | ||
| Home runs | 173 | ||
| Runs batted in | 520 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Nathan Colbert Jr. (born April 9, 1946 – died January 5, 2023) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a first baseman from 1966 to 1976. He is best known for his time with the San Diego Padres. The Padres were a new team that joined the league in 1969.
Nate Colbert was one of the first big stars for the Padres. He played six seasons with them from 1969 to 1974. During this time, he was chosen for the All-Star Game three times. He still holds the Padres' record for career home runs with 163. He was also one of the first players inducted into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame. Besides the Padres, he also played for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, and the Oakland Athletics. His career ended early after 10 seasons because of a back injury. Later, he became a baseball coach.
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Early Life
Nate Colbert was born on April 9, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri. His father, Nate Sr., played semi-pro baseball. He was a catcher and sometimes a pitcher in the Negro leagues. He even caught for the famous pitcher Satchel Paige.
When Nate was eight, he went to a doubleheader baseball game. This was on May 2, 1954, at Busch Stadium (then called Sportsman's Park). In that game, Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals hit five home runs in one day! This was a record for MLB. Nate Colbert later graduated from Sumner High School, which was close to Busch Stadium.
Professional Career
Colbert started his professional career when he signed with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. At that time, there was no MLB draft, so players could choose which team to sign with. He turned down many offers from other teams and colleges because he wanted to play for the Cardinals, just like his hero, Stan Musial.
The Houston Astros picked Colbert in the Rule 5 draft in 1965. He made his MLB debut with the Astros in 1966. He also played for them in 1968. After that, the San Diego Padres chose him in the 1968 expansion draft.
Becoming a Padres Star
Nate Colbert played for the Padres from 1969 to 1974. He quickly became their most important player. The Padres were a new team and often finished in last place. But Colbert was a bright spot for them.
In 1969, the Padres' first season, Colbert led the team with 24 home runs. He also had 66 runs batted in (RBIs). His home runs were the most by any rookie in MLB that year. In 1970, he hit 38 home runs. This tied him for fifth in the National League.
In 1971, Colbert was chosen for his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He led the Padres with 27 home runs and 84 RBIs. His batting average also improved.
Record-Breaking Day
Colbert had his best day in baseball on August 1, 1972. In a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, he hit five home runs! This matched Stan Musial's record from 1954. He also drove in 13 runs, breaking a record for RBIs in a doubleheader. This amazing performance helped the Padres win both games.
In 1972, Colbert hit 38 home runs again. He also had 111 RBIs. He finished second in home runs in the National League, just behind Johnny Bench. He was also chosen for the 1972 MLB All-Star Game again. In 1973, he had his best batting average of .270. He was an All-Star for the third time. From 1969 to 1973, he averaged 30 home runs and 85 RBIs each season.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1974, the Padres got another great player, Willie McCovey. Colbert agreed to move from first base to left field. He also changed his spot in the batting order. However, he started having problems with his back. This was due to a condition with his spine. His batting average dropped to .207.
The Padres traded Colbert to the Detroit Tigers in November 1974. He then played briefly for the Montreal Expos and the Oakland Athletics. In 1977, he tried to play for the new Toronto Blue Jays. But his back problems forced him to retire at age 30.
Nate Colbert was the first true star for the Padres. He still holds the team's career record for home runs with 163. He is also in the top 10 for RBIs, slugging percentage, games played, runs scored, and base on balls. He was inducted into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame in 1999.
In his 10 seasons, Colbert played 1,004 games. He had a .243 batting average, 173 home runs, and 520 RBIs.
Later Life
After his playing career, Nate Colbert worked as a hitting instructor for the Padres during spring training. He also coached for them in the minor leagues. He was a hitting coach for the Wichita Pilots and a first base coach for the Riverside Red Wave.
Colbert also became a minister after graduating from St. Louis Baptist College. He worked with young people who needed help.
Personal Life
Nate Colbert met his wife, Kasey, when he was playing for the Oakland Athletics. They had nine children together. Nate Colbert passed away on January 5, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 76 years old.
Images for kids
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Colbert as a coach with the San Diego Padres in 1983
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Colbert tied his career high with 38 home runs in 1972.
See also
In Spanish: Nate Colbert para niños
