Nate Colbert
Big Nate Colbert was the first star of the expansion San Diego Padres. He was a three-time All-Star and a feared right-handed slugger. He tied a record when he clubbed five homers in a single day, and on the same day set a ML mark with 13 RBI. But by the age of thirty he was washed up and out of baseball.
Played For
Houston Astros (1966-1968)
San Diego Padres (1969-1974)
Detroit Tigers (1975)
Montreal Expos (1975-1976)
Oakland Athletics (1976)
Minor League Experience
The big right-handed slugger was originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. After a few seasons in the Cards system, Houston snagged him. With Amarillo he led the Texas League in homers in 1967 but Houston gave him just 39 games in the majors for his efforts. When the Padres selected him in the expansion draft in October, 1968, he was assured of playing time.
Best Season: 1972
Colbert matched his 1970 home run output, with 38, second to Johnny Bench in the National League. He plated 111 runs, fourth in the league. He slugged .508 and walked a career high 70 times to produce an OPS of .843. He set career highs in runs, doubles, and steals (15 - not bad for the big guy). In August he set a ML record when he drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader. He also homered five times that day. Colbert was the Padres All-Star representative that season.
Factoids
In 1972, Nate Colbert drove in 22.7% of his team's runs, a major league record that still stands.
Born
Nathan Colbert was born on April 9, 1946, in St. Louis, MO.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: SDN
Major League Debut
April 14, 1966
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1966
George Scott
Sal Bando
Reggie Smith
Rick Monday
Nolan Ryan
Don Sutton
Bob Watson
Nate Colbert
Stan Bahnsen
Similar Players
Lee May, George Scott, John Mayberry, Bob Horner
Related Players
Stan Musial, Earl Averill
Hitting Streaks
15 games (1972)
Transactions
After struggling in 1974, Colbert was traded to the Detroit Tigers for shortstop Eddie Brinkman and two others. He was never able to regain his stroke in Detroit, and ended his career with Oakland in 1976. Colbert retired with 173 career home runs, all before he turned 30 years old.
Trivia Question
On May 2, 1954, an eight-year old boy sat in Sportsman's Park in St. Louis and saw Stan Musial blast five homers in a doubleheader. 18 years later that little boy - now a slugger for the San Diego Padres - equaled the feat. Who was that boy?
Trivia Answer
Nate Colbert, who slugged five homers on August 1, 1972.
All-Star Selections
1971 NL
1972 NL
1973 NL
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