San Diego Padres are having a great off-season so far. With the addition of Xander Bogaerts, the Padres have enhanced what was an already star-studded lineup. Furthermore, the team has made other acquisitions as well. With the off-season still going on, the Padres roster may see some more additions.
But the San Diego-based team recently experienced a great loss to the franchise as one of its legends passed away. Nate Colbert, a former first baseman who played with the team during its first few seasons in the MLB, breathed his last at 76. Reacting to the tragic news, the MLB world paid their last respect to the Padres legend.
The San Diego Padres honored Nate Colbert
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The San Diego Padres lost one of the first layers in team history recently as Nate Colbert passed away. Colbert played with the team for 6 seasons starting in 1969, the Padres’ first year as a franchise. He is widely considered a Padres legend and will be missed. The Padres’ official Twitter account shared a Tweet in honor of Colbert.
The Padres are deeply saddened by the passing of Padres Hall of Famer Nate Colbert. pic.twitter.com/MSjyS6gofz
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) January 6, 2023
In the Tweet, the team said, “The Padres are deeply saddened by the passing of Padres Hall of Famer Nate Colbert.” The former first baseman was part of the inaugural class of players to be inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame.
Fans have reacted to the news and sent their best wishes to Colbert’s family. Many have even reminisced about the impact that Colbert had and how good he was as a player.
RIP Nate, keep hittin homers up there pic.twitter.com/MfNmHby77H
— Davis (@Its__Davis) January 6, 2023
I was blessed to watch big Nate play with the Padres, awesome individual. RIP Big Man
— Brian Laliberte (@brian082162) January 6, 2023
Sad news. The first legit star in Padres history. I was too young to have seen him play but his name is all over the early years of the franchise when SD fielded some of the worst offensive clubs in MLB history. He literally carried those teams on his back.
— Tweets About Music & Nature (Mostly) (@madbeatboy) January 6, 2023
That day in Atlanta will be always be a part of his legacy and and a HOF moment in Padres history. RIP number 17.
— Dan (@FanDan1969) January 6, 2023
RIP to him and prayers up for his friends and family.
— Jack (@MLBNFLNBA2) January 6, 2023
Nate Colbert hit his home runs when San Diego stadium was 420ft to center field with a 17ft wall.
Retire #17!
— randiego2 (@randiego2) January 6, 2023
My two sons are named after Padres legends: Anthony and Nathan. Rest in peace, king.
— ⭐️Not EV (@WafnaFriar) January 6, 2023
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Colbert played in the MLB for 10 years but was best known for his time with the Padres. His 6-year stint with the team was eventful as he was an All-Star three times. Furthermore, he still holds the record for most Home Runs by a Padres player with 163.
What is Colbert known for having achieved?
Nate Colbert achieved a lot during his career, but was most well-known for his slugging ability. His biggest achievement was hitting 5 home runs in a single day. According to MLB.com “On Aug. 1, 1972, in Atlanta, Colbert launched five home runs in a doubleheader, tying him with Stan Musial for the most in a day — a record that hasn’t been matched since.”
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This is a record that is likely to stand for a long time as double headers don’t happen very often anymore. Furthermore, not many batters have the firepower to launch 5 big ones as Colbert did. What do you think of the San Diego Padres’ tribute for Nate Colbert? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
