Joe Nathan 1822355 225839330 2008-07-15T17:16:18Z Cbwild101088 5963060 /* 2008 season */ {{Infobox MLB player| name=Joe Nathan| image=Joe Nathan cropped.jpg| position=Relief Pitcher| team=Minnesota Twins| number=36| bats=Right| throws=Right| birthdate={{birth date and age|1974|11|22}}| debutdate=April 21| debutyear=1999| debutteam=San Francisco Giants| statyear=June 26, 2008| stat1label=[[Win (baseball)|Win-Loss]]| stat1value=43-18| stat2label=[[Save (sport)|Saves]]| stat2value=182| stat3label=[[Earned Run Average]]| stat3value=2.91| stat4label=[[Strikeout]]s| stat4value=591| teams=<nowiki></nowiki> *[[San Francisco Giants]] ({{by|1999}}-{{by|2000}}, {{by|2002}}-{{by|2003}}) *[[Minnesota Twins]] ({{by|2004}}-present) |awards= <nowiki></nowiki> * 3x [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection (2004, 2005, 2008) }} '''Joseph Michael Nathan''' (born [[November 22]], [[1974]] in [[Houston, Texas]]) is a [[closer (baseball)|closer]] in [[Major League Baseball]] who plays for the [[Minnesota Twins]]. He bats and throws right-handed, stands at a height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93&nbsp;m), and weighs in at 220 pounds (100&nbsp;kg) [[as of 2007]]. He started playing baseball as a [[shortstop]] in high school, and played the same position in college. However, he became a [[pitcher]] after the [[San Francisco Giants]] drafted him in 1995. After working his way through the minor leagues, he alternated between spots in the rotation and the [[bullpen]]. He spent a few seasons splitting time between the majors and the minors before having a breakout season as a relief pitcher in 2003. Nathan joined the Minnesota Twins in 2004 as their [[closing pitcher]], and continues to hold that position. ==High school career== Joe Nathan attended [[Pine Bush High School]] in [[Pine Bush, New York]], where he played basketball and baseball and ran track. He graduated in 1992.<ref name=twins>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274|title=Joe Nathan Player Information : Biography and Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> However, only [[Division III]] colleges showed even minimal interest in having him play for their program.<ref name=recordonline>{{cite web|url=http://archive.recordonline.com/sports/50best/8a.html|title=Joe Nathan: Face of the Twins|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> Nathan ended up playing college baseball at [[Stony Brook University]] as a result of his baseball coach and Stony Brook's coach having a history; Pine Bush assistant baseball coach Jeff Masionet and Stony Brook baseball coach Matt Senk played college baseball together at [[State University of New York at Cortland]].<ref name=recordonline/> ==College career== Nathan played college baseball as a shortstop at Division I SUNY Stony Brook.<ref name=suny>{{cite web|url=http://goseawolves.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/051205aaa.html|title=Beyond Tonight - Joe Nathan|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> He became a two-time Academic All-American, and graduated as a member of the [[Golden Key International Honour Society]].<ref name=medal>{{cite web|url=http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/sbcouncil/res120506.shtml|title=Stony Brook University Council|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> During his tenure there, professional baseball scouts began to notice his good arm and pitcher's body, and on a day where a game was rained out, "literally someone from every organization" came to watch him pitch.<ref name=suny/> He was then drafted in the sixth round of the amateur draft by the San Francisco Giants in 1995,<ref name=suny/> and signed on [[June 2]], a day after being drafted.<ref name=br>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/nathajo01.shtml|title=Joe Nathan Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> His college jersey number has since been retired,<ref name=newsday>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spjim0621,0,3120453.column?coll=ny-sports-headlines|title=Nathan, Stony Brook benefited from each other|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> and he has been given the [[University Medal]], the highest recognition given by the university.<ref name=medal/> Joe also played in the NECBL(New England College Baseball League) in 1999. ==Minor league career== Nathan began his minor league career playing class A ball for the Bellingham Giants.<ref name=tbc>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/N/Joe-Nathan.shtml|title=Joe Nathan Baseball Statistics|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> After an unsuccessful year at the plate, the Giants tried to convert Nathan into a pitcher, but he refused to do that and left the game.<ref name=suny/> He went back to Stony Brook for a year, graduating with a degree in business management.<ref name=twins/> After he graduated, Nathan returned to the Giants organization and became a standout pitching prospect. After a season with the [[Salem-Keizer Volcanoes]], he played at both the [[Minor league baseball#Levels of competition|A and AA levels]] (the [[San Jose Giants]] and [[Shreveport Captains]]) in 1998 as a starter.<ref name=tbc/> During his tenure with San Jose, he started 22 games, earned an [[earned run average|ERA]] of 3.32 with 118 strikeouts, and led the Giants to the California League Championship.<ref name=sjgiants>{{cite web|url=http://www.sjgiants.com/ArDisplay.aspx?ID=112&SecID=27|title=San Jose Giants baseball club|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> He played two games in Shreveport in 1999 before receiving his promotion to the big-league club in 1999.<ref name=tbc/> ==MLB career== ===San Francisco Giants=== Joe Nathan was recalled from Shreveport on [[April 20]], taking the roster spot of [[Barry Bonds]], who was sent to the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his left elbow.<ref name=twins99>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274&y=1999|title=Official site of the Minnesota Twins : 1999 Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> He made his major league debut the next day on [[April 21]], [[1999]], pitching seven shutout innings and winning his first major-league decision in a 4-0 win.<ref name=br99>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?n1=nathajo01&t=p&year=1999|title=Joe Nathan 1999 Pitching Gamelogs - Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> He split time the rest of the season between the [[Minor league baseball#Levels of competition|AAA-affiliate]] [[Fresno Grizzlies]] and the Giants, posting a 6-4 record at AAA and a 7-4 record at the major league level, as well as earning his first career save on [[May 16]].<ref name=tbc/> After playing in the minors for a short time in 2000, Nathan spent most of the season in the majors, finishing the season with a 5-2 record.<ref name=br/> He also hit two [[home run]]s during the 2000 season.<ref name=br/> He spent two stints on the disabled list: from [[May 17]] to [[June 6]] due to right shoulder tendinitis, and from [[July 14]] to [[August 18]] due to right shoulder inflammation.<ref name=twins00>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274&y=2000|title=Official site of the Minnesota Twins : 2000 Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> At the end of the season, Nathan had [[arthroscopic surgery]] on his right shoulder, and as a result spent the 2001 season in the minors.<ref name=sjgiants/> During the 2001 season, Nathan spent part of the season at [[Fresno Grizzlies|AAA Fresno]], but had a disappointing ERA of 7.77, and some time at AA Shreveport, where he played both as a starter and a reliever.<ref name=tbc/> He finished the season a combined 3-11 with an ERA over 7, and the 2002 season saw him earn an ERA of over 5 at Fresno with a 6-12 record.<ref name=tbc/> However, Nathan worked his way back up to the majors, and at the start of the 2003 season he was back with the Giants. This transition came with marriage as well; Nathan married Lisa Lemoncelli, his girlfriend of five years, in November of 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/04/04/SP298099.DTL|title=No ordinary effort from this Joe|accessdate=2007-09-02}}</ref> The 2003 season was a breakout year for Nathan, as he pitched his way to a 12-4 record in his first season as a reliever.<ref name=br/> His 78 appearances put him high on the list of most-used pitchers for the season, and he allowed no runs in a span of 15 appearances from [[July 18]] to [[August 20]].<ref name=twins03>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274&y=2003|title=Official site of the Minnesota Twins : 2003 Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> He had 12 wins as a reliever, the most during that season.<ref name=sjgiants/> ===Minnesota Twins=== ====2004 season==== Nathan was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Minnesota Twins on [[November 14]], [[2003]]. The Giants sent Nathan along with pitchers [[Francisco Liriano]] and [[Boof Bonser]] in exchange for catcher [[A.J. Pierzynski]] and cash.<ref name=br/> The Twins decided to make Nathan their closer for the 2004 season. This was a risky move, as Nathan had only one save in five opportunities as a Giant.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2700725&searchName=gammons_peter&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d2700725%26searchName%3dgammons_peter |title=No panic over closer situations|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref> Nathan had the inside track on the job, competing against [[J.C. Romero]] and [[Jesse Crain]]. He was signed to a two-year deal on [[March 4]], [[2004]]; Nathan agreed to an intentionally incentive-laden contract with a base salary of $440,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040304&content_id=645455&vkey=spt2004news&fext=.jsp&c_id=spt2004news|title=Twins sign Nathan to two-year deal|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref> Nathan won the closing job in Spring Training, and started off the season strong. Nathan allowed no runs in 20 appearances, from [[April 15]] to [[June 4]], and earned 14 saves during the same period.<ref name=twins04>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274&y=2004|title=Official site of the Minnesota Twins : 2004 Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> Nathan was also named the American League Co-Player of the Week for the week of [[May 10]], after pitching four innings for the week, earning 4 saves in 4 appearances and facing the minimum number of batters in each appearance.<ref name=twins04/> His credentials for the first half of the season, converting 23 saves in 24 opportunities with a 1.19 ERA in 26 appearances, led to his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star appearance]] in the [[2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040704&content_id=788791&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Nathan earns All-Star invitation|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref> He was the only Twin to earn a spot in the game. He pitched the seventh inning of the All-Star Game, getting [[Bobby Abreu]] to strike out, [[Mike Lowell]] to fly out, and [[Miguel Cabrera]] to strike out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040714&content_id=799716&vkey=allstar2004&fext=.jsp&c_id=null|title=Nathan dazzles NL hitters|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> Nathan continued to post impressive numbers throughout the rest of the season, while allowing no runs between [[June 9]] and [[August 18]], and between [[August 25]] and [[September 16]].<ref name=twins04/> Nathan finished the 2004 season with 44 saves in 47 opportunities, and an ERA of 1.72.<ref name=br/> Nathan also earned MVP and [[Cy Young Award|Cy Young]] votes, finishing fourth in Cy Young voting and twelfth in MVP voting.<ref name=br/> With the end of the first season came the birth of his first son, Cole, on [[November 9]], [[2004]].<ref name=twins/> ====2005 season==== In 2005, Joe Nathan picked up from where he left off in 2004, allowing no earned runs in 15 appearances from [[April 5]] to [[May 10]].<ref name=twins05>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274&y=2005|title=Official site of the Minnesota Twins : 2005 Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> He also had streaks of 13 and 12 consecutive save opportunities converted between April and July.<ref name=twins05/> As a result, Nathan was named the American League Player of the Week for the week of [[June 27]].<ref name=twins05/> Nathan earned another all-star appearance in 2005 for his pitching in the first half of the season. Although his record was 1-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 37 appearances, he had struck out 43 batters in 35.1 [[innings pitched]], and lead the AL with 23 saves in 25 opportunities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050703&content_id=1113940&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Twins send two arms to All-Star Game|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> Nathan pitched in the [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] alongside fellow pitcher [[Johan Santana]]. Pitching the eighth inning of the game, he got [[Morgan Ensberg]] to pop out for the first out, then gave out a double to [[Moisés Alou]]. [[Felipe Lopez]] singled, and Nathan was able to get Miguel Cabrera and [[Luis Castillo]] out, but not before Alou scored.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050712&content_id=1129207&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Santana, Nathan help out AL All-Stars|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> Nathan finished the season with a 7-4 record, a 2.70 ERA, 43 saves, and a career-high 94 [[strikeout]]s.<ref name=br/> Nathan also became the third pitcher in club history to post consecutive 40 save seasons.<ref name=twins05/> ====2006 season==== Before the 2006 season began, Nathan participated in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]] as one of the 30 players selected for the Team USA roster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060214&content_id=1311315&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Nathan gets chance to compete for U.S.|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> He played the first game, a 2-0 win against Mexico, striking out the side while allowing one hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2006_03_07_mexint_usaint_1|title=World Baseball Classic: Statistics, Mexico-U.S.|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> He also pitched the 4-3 victory against Japan, again throwing a shutout inning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2006_03_12_jpnint_usaint_1|title=World Baseball Classic: Statistics, Japan-U.S.|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> Nathan went on to pitch the last game for the United States in the ninth inning against Mexico, again not allowing a run and striking out two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2006_03_16_usaint_mexint_1|title=World Baseball Classic: Statistics, U.S.-Mexico|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> As the regular 2006 season began for the Twins, Nathan started off strong, allowing no runs from the start of the season to [[April 25]].<ref name=twins06>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=150274&y=2006|title=Official site of the Minnesota Twins : 2006 Career Highlights|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> He also converted 10 straight save opportunities from [[April 11]] to [[June 17]].<ref name=twins06/> He recorded his one hundredth career save against the [[Chicago Cubs]] on June 24, his 99th save with Minnesota.<ref name=twins06/> Four days later he got save number 101, his hundredth save with Minnesota against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], becoming the fifth pitcher in Twins history to achieve that mark.<ref name=twins06/> Despite putting up great numbers during the 2006 season, Nathan did not make it to the 2006 All-Star Game. He continued to pitch well throughout the season, passing [[Eddie Guardado]] for second on the Twins' all-time save list when he earned his 117th save against the [[Detroit Tigers]] on [[September 9]].<ref name=twins06/> Nathan was also given the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month award for July, going 9 for 9 in save opportunities and posting a 0.75 ERA for the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060807&content_id=1597231&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Press Release: Joe Nathan named winner of the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award" for July|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> He finished the season with some of his best numbers to date: a 7-0 record, a 1.58 ERA, 95 strikeouts, 36 saves, an 18th place finish in MVP voting, and a fifth place finish in Cy Young voting.<ref name=br/> His 61 games finished were also good for the AL lead.<ref name=br/> With 36 saves in 38 opportunities, Nathan also became the first pitcher for the organization to earn 35 saves in three straight seasons.<ref name=twins06/> ====2007 season==== Nathan remained the closer for the Twins for the 2007 season. On [[September 25]], [[2007]], Nathan was named as one of 10 finalists for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award," the third year in a row that he has been a finalist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/delivery_man_of_the_month_award.shtml|title=Delivery Man of the Month/Year Award by DHL on Baseball Almanac|accessdate=2007-09-25}}</ref> On [[October 29]], the Twins exercised Nathan's club option for 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071029&content_id=2287379&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Closed deal keeps Nathan with Twins|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref> ====2008 season==== On [[March 24]], [[2008]], the [[Minnesota Twins]] re-signed Nathan to a four-year, $47 million contract through [[2011]]. The deal also includes a $12.5 million club option for [[2012]]. On [[July 6]], [[2008]], Nathan was announced as a reserve player for the [[American League]] in the [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]. <ref>http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080706&content_id=3076222&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min</ref> On [[May 27]], [[2008]], Nathan blew his first [[Save (baseball)|save]] of the season by giving up an [[inside-the-park home run]] that scored three runs due to a misplayed ball by teammate [[Delmon Young]]; however, Nathan got two outs to end the 9th inning and the Twins went on to win the game.<ref>http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_05_27_minmlb_kcamlb_1</ref> Through [[July 17]], [[2008]], he's 27/29 in [[Save (baseball)|save]] opportunities with a 1.13 ERA and 46 strikeouts. <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6205</ref> <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/closers</ref> He ranks fourth in the [[MLB]] in [[Save (baseball)|saves]] and has the second lowest ERA of the current top 10 [[Save (baseball)|save]] leaders in [[2008]]. <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching?sort=saves&split=0&league=mlb&season=2008&seasonType=2&type=reg&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&hand=a&pos=all&minip=0</ref> ==Repertoire== Nathan throws 2 fastballs. A 4-seamer that hits 95-98, along with a two-seamer that hits 93-96 and has good sink. He also throws a hard, biting slider in the high 80s (and will occasionally touch 90). He throws a big 12-6 curve in the mid to upper 70s. He will also mix in a mid 80s changeup. He controls all of his pitches well. Nathan's longest streak is 21 opportunities without blowing a save. ==See also== *[[List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{baseballstats |mlb=150274 |espn=4044 |br=n/nathajo01 |fangraphs=1122 |cube=N/joe-nathan}} {{United States 2006 World Baseball Classic roster}} {{Minnesota Twins roster navbox}} {{CurrentMLBclosers}} {{Persondata |NAME=Nathan, Joseph Michael |ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Nathan, Joe |SHORT DESCRIPTION=American professional baseball pitcher |DATE OF BIRTH=[[November 22]], [[1974]] |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States]] |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Nathan, Joe}} [[Category:1974 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American League All-Stars]] [[Category:Minnesota Twins players]] [[Category:San Francisco Giants players]] [[Category:Major league pitchers]] [[Category:Major league players from Texas]] [[Category:2006 World Baseball Classic players of the United States]] [[Category:State University of New York at Stony Brook alumni]] [[Category:People from Orange County, New York]] [[ja:ジョー・ネイサン]]