Former major leaguer Nate Colbert has passed away, the Padres announced. He was 76 years old.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Padres Hall of Famer Nate Colbert,” team chairman Peter Seidler said as part of the club’s statement. “Our hearts go out to his wife, Kasey, and the entire Colbert family at this very difficult time.”
Seidler’s statement goes on to note that Colbert still holds the Friars’ franchise record for home runs, with 163 longballs in a San Diego uniform. That’s perhaps his most famous achievement, though the St. Louis native was a three-time All-Star who spent a decade in the big leagues. Originally signed by his hometown Cardinals in 1964, Colbert made it to the majors with the Astros just two years later. He appeared in 39 games with Houston between 1966-68 and got his first extended action after landing with the Padres during their first year of existence.
Selected by San Diego during the expansion draft that predated their 1969 debut, the right-handed hitting Colbert quickly cemented himself as one of the game’s better sluggers. He hit 24 home runs during his first full season, then connected on 38 longballs during his second campaign. That figure tied for eighth in the majors in 1970 and set the stage for three consecutive All-Star showings from 1971-73.
That three-year stretch saw Colbert hit 27, 38 and 22 longballs, respectively. Only Johnny Bench had more homers in 1972. Over his first five seasons with the Friars, the 6’2″ first baseman hit .260/.333/.483 in just over 3000 plate appearances. Colbert finished ninth in cumulative homers and 19th among qualified hitters in slugging. His overall offensive production was 28 percentage points above that of the league average hitter during that time, as measured by wRC+.
Colbert’s numbers fell off after his 28th birthday. He had his first below-average season in 1974 and the Padres traded him to the Tigers as part of a three-team deal with St. Louis the ensuing offseason. Colbert subsequently made brief stops with the Expos and A’s but struggled. He retired after the 1976 season, his age-30 campaign.
While he didn’t have as long a playing career as it once seemed he would, Colbert had a strong half-decade peak as one of the sport’s better power hitters. He collected a trio of All-Star appearances and placed eighth in NL MVP balloting in 1972. Over parts of 10 seasons, he hit .243/.322/.451 with 173 homers, 520 runs batted in and 481 runs scored. The Padres selected him for their organizational Hall of Fame as part of their inaugural class in 1999.
After his playing career, Colbert spent some time as a minor league hitting instructor. He later became an ordained minister; as part of his statement, Seidler noted that Colbert had “(dedicated) his time to disadvantaged youth through his ministry.” MLBTR sends our condolences to Colbert’s family, friends, loved ones and former teammates.
I remember when Nate hit 5 home runs in one day (double header). I was a Padres fan in the early 70’s. I remember the entire line-up still. RIP Nate.
With 13 ribbies. Not a bad day.
I remember that day Wilmer! I was about to post that…it was a mammoth day and I couldn’t believe it.
Me too!
Let me take a shot at that line up top of my head:
C-Fred Kendall
1b-Nate
2b-Rich Morales
Ss-Enzo Hernandez
3b-Dave Roberts
Of-Cito Gaston
Of-Ollie Brown
Of-Leron Lee
Sp-Clay Kirby
Chris Cannizzaro was in there early 70s. And Bob Barton. So was Ed Spiezo, Dave Campbell, Ivan Murrell
I thought I recognized Nate Colbert’s name
He made Ball Four by Jim Bouton
Jim’s teammates got on him during the game versus the Padres and then he jolted two home runs and Jim Bouton thought he was a nice looking man
Anyway, he had some power and played in the bigs for like 10 years and made the Book Ball Four
I think that is pretty good
May Nate Colbert Rest in Peace
Remember him and his nod in JB’s book as well Lefty. Was a decent slugger for several seasons with the Pad’s. Had a nickname, which can’t recall that was not very flattering.. Maybe someone else here can remember.
Nate Colbert’s nickname was “The Toy Cannon” something to do with his stature and power I believe. Going off the top of my mind. RIP Nate.
Jimmy Wynn was “Toy Cannon”
The Toy Cannon = Jim Wynn
ehenchy- They are correct. Jimmy Wynn was the Toy Cannon. Not even the right team as he played for the Astros. Nate fizzled out faster than most but was a dangerous hitter while he lasted. As was Jimmy Wynn. In fact when I read his Bio and saw that he was only 6’2″ I was surprised. I thought he was bigger than that.
Jim Wynn was the toy cannon
Some power? Colbert played during the modern dead ball era when hitting was greatly suppressed, and HRs didn’t come easy. Twice hit 38 in a season. His power was real. After a great five year stretch, he was pretty much done by 28. When I see these insanely long contracts teams are giving out today, I think about guys like Colbert done at 28, Jim Rice done at 33, Cesar Cedeno peaking by 26 and imagine them getting decade-long contracts. Conditioning is better today, but teams are going to get badly burned.
Condolences to his family and friends.
I’m old enough to remember his raw power and often followed his seasons during his prime
So am I, but I was also young during his peak. Those days, we didn’t get to see all the players as easily as we can today, but I do remember his legit power.
A sign of my age. When I saw he passed, my reaction was he had to be not that old, maybe his 60s. Was surprised to read he was closer to 80 than 70. Time flies.
It’s funny how that happens. It’s not even the ones that pass away. Sometimes you hear about an actress you liked when you were growing up, only to find out that she’s twice as old as she was 30 years ago. And how many bands (G&R particularly) went from young kids in the third act of a concert (trailing Aerosmith and Deep Purple), to headliners, to reunion bands?
Anyway, nice player and dangerous hitter.
173 HRS in MLB. Not many can make that claim. God rest his soul.
Nate Colbert hit five home runs in a doubleheader in Atlanta in 1972. How is FIVE HR’s in a single day not even mentioned, as it relates to Nate as a player?!!
On another note, 38 HR’s in the original San Diego Stadium – pre-lowered fences, a palm tree or five closer to the batter’s box – is impressive. RIP Nate.
A good man & an all-time Padre.
Nate Colbert hit five home runs in a doubleheader in Atlanta, in 1972. As it relates to baseball, how is this not mentioned??!! … FIVE HRs in ONE day!
Additionally, 38 HR’s in OG San Diego Stadium – before the fences were lowered & were a palm tree or five closer to the batter’s box – is impressive.
RIP Nate . He was a good man & an All-Time Padre.
Even more amazing is that he had 13 RBIs in that doubleheader
https://padres.mlblogs.com/50-moments-nate-colberts-record-5-hr-13-rbi-doubleheader-cd7a8a13122f
Five HRs in a double header.
Stan the Man was the other.
Yep retire21 and Nate was at that game as a child.
He was Nate the Great
RIP OG Nate Dog
RIP Nate
I met him when he was hitting coach for the Riverside Redwave the day Rafael Valdez threw a nine inning perfect game in the late 80s. I too was disappointed that the five home run double header wasn’t mentioned. His most noteworthy achievement in a pretty damn good career.
RIP
Always like reading the comments on guys who I’ve never heard of. When I’m older I hope people can appreciate the non legend guys I grew up with. Praying for peace for his family and friends.
Rest In Power, Nate 🙁
My dad used to talk about him when we watched games in the 80s and 90s. He said Nate Colbert could really hit. I miss those times watching games together.
Rip Nate, we love our players for life
Same here! Always called him a “dangerous hitter”!
Another cool fact about Nate is, after 5 great seasons as the Padres first baseman, he lost his starting job to none other than Willie McCovey.
@Wilmer: The good news is we traded for Willie McCovey. The bad news is he is taking your starting spot. I looked up the trade. Bernie Williams came with Willie McCovey in the trade. No, it’s not that Bernie Williams. Pitcher Mike Caldwell went to the Giants in the trade. Caldwell was really good for the Giants in 1974, and then had two mediocre years and was traded to the Cardinals.
If you’re gonna lose your job, not a bad guy to lose it to!
Even though I was a Reds fan, loved the Willies (McCovey and Mays).
As an aside, leaned over the Mets dugout and got Willie Mays autograph at Riverfront Stadium before a game when I was a kid. It is still one of my favorite memories and one of my treasured items.
Saw him play at Tiger Stadium during his brief stay with Detroit in 1975.
Rest in love and power Mr Colbert. You were truly a great man and a great ballplayer. You will be missed.
St Louis Native ❤️ May he rest peacefully
He was literally the expansion Padres’ very first star player. RIP Nate.
The old configuration of San Diego Stadium was 12+ high walls all around… Probably 15+.
That park with that high wall was imposing. Cito Gaston was known for line drive HRs, hit 29 one year and was calculated it would have been 39 if in configuration after they moved fences in and lowered them.
One of my favorites back in the day. Sorry to hear of his passing.
Milt Pappas was one of my other favorite players!
RIP. A truly feared slugger in his day.
RIP
Sounds like his after playing career was even more amazing.
I remember Nate playing against the Reds. Always a dangerous hitter. RIP Nate.
Good Man, Good Ballplayer. RIP
The article failed to mention that Colbert managed the Grays Harbor Gulls in 1995. The Gulls were based in Aberdeen, Washington and played in old Olympic Stadium, which is still there. They were an independent team in the Western League. I believe they lasted only two seasons with Colbert managing one and former MLB pitcher Charlie Kerfeld managing the other. I attended one game when Kerfeld was managing and there were maybe 100 people scattered around the stands in the rickety old wooden stadium. It was minor league baseball the way Norman Rockwell might have painted it.
It’s been noted by several that Nate hit 5 HRs in a doubleheader. Even more amazing, the previous time this was as done was by Stan Musial, 18 years previous . . . and eight year old Nate was in attendance that day to see it.
I remember listening to the twinbill that day on the radio. It was Aug 1, my birthday. RIP Nate…
That’s what sucked about MLB pre cable. We listened to games on the radio hoping our favorite team would be on NBC game of the week that Saturday…..
He was a Tiger for a minute
I remember Nate Colbert as an impressive slugger.
How impressive? When I was a kid Nate was in the 7-Eleven Slurpee Cup collection.
Now that’s the big time!
I recall being very excited when the Tigers got him in a trade before the 1975 season as Tiger stadium was a hitter friendly park and I imagined 30-40 homers from Nate. unfortunately that coincided with his quick decline and he was gone within the year. Sad to see him pass away at only 76
Sad news.
I saw big Nate hit a few ropes in the right field bleachers at dodger stadium in the 70’s. RIP
As a Padres fan since July, 1969, Nate Colbert made me feel then like the Padres had a true All-Star. I am surprised to see that he was “only” 6’2″. To this little kid, Nate Colbert seemed like a giant, especially in that mustard-colored uniform. Rest in Peace, Nate. Thanks for making me proud many a time.
In the summer of 1970, I was 12 years old, I was a Boy Scout and my brother was a Cub Scout. That August 27th, my Mom got free tickets to a baseball game between the Padres and the Chicago Cubs. It was “Cub Scout Night at the Padres game.” So, she took us. It was pretty impressive to me, the stadium, the scoreboard, the players on the field. Naturally, the home crowd rooted for the Padres, so I felt a part of that. Unfortunately, the Cubs were the better team, winning 5-1. But, our lone run came on a home run by first baseman, Nate Colbert, number 17 on the Padres. He instantly became my favorite player and hero. I became a lifelong Padres fan that night. The number 17 became my favorite number and still is to this day. Baseball has been a passion of mine ever since. It is really amazing what a personal experience like that can bring about.
May the great Nate Colbert rest in peace. I hope to meet him one day and thank him for the influence he had on my life.
Jeff-A That’s how it worked forme with the Angels. ( Although my first MLB game was a Dodger Vs Pirates game at Dodger Stadium in 1965 at age of 8.)
Seeing the perfect green grass and the stadium. First Angels game was 1966. Jim Fregosi. The Big A scoreboard Wow. As bad as the team was in the early 70’s. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The players we had Ryan,Tanana, Lee Stanton, Bruce Bochte and Dave Chalk. Gene Autry the owner. Good times.
The first Padre”Star”. RIP Mr. Colbert
Nate Colbert will always be a San Diego Padres legend. RIP
RIP Nate Colbert…
RIP Nate…..