The Padres announced Thursday night that former All-Star slugger Nate Colbert has passed away at the age of 76.
No player in the 54-season history of the franchise hit more home runs than Colbert’s 163 in a Padres uniform from 1969-74 (Adrián González is second with 161, followed by Phil Nevin’s 156, Dave Winfield’s 154 and Tony Gwynn’s 135).
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Padres Hall of Famer Nate Colbert,” Padres Chairman Peter Seidler said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his wife, Kasey, and the entire Colbert family at this very difficult time. An original member of the Padres in 1969, Nate was a trailblazer in the San Diego sports community. He was a three-time National League All-Star in brown and gold and became the Padres all-time home run king (163), a record that still stands today. Nate was devoted to his community off the field as well, dedicating his time to disadvantaged youth through his ministry. He was a magnetic person who will be dearly missed.”
Originally signed out of high school by the Cardinals in 1964, Colbert was selected by the Astros in the Rule 5 Draft the following year. He made his MLB debut with Houston in 1966, appearing in 19 games and going 0-for-7. He hit .151 in 56 plate appearances with the Astros in ’68 before being selected by the Padres in that year’s Expansion Draft.
Colbert’s career took off in San Diego. From 1969-73, the first baseman/left fielder averaged 30 homers per season while hitting .260/.333/.483. He was also selected as an All-Star three times in that span and finished eighth in National League MVP Award voting in 1972. That season, he also set multiple Major League records on Aug. 1, when he launched five homers and drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader against the Braves in Atlanta.
Back troubles would hamper Colbert the rest of his playing career. The Padres traded him to the Tigers prior to the 1975 season, and in June of that year, the Expos purchased his contract from Detroit after he hit just .147 with four homers in 156 at-bats. He didn’t fare much better with Montreal, hitting .173 with four homers in 81 at-bats before being released.
Midway through the 1976 season, Colbert signed with the A’s, but he only appeared in two games for Oakland in what would be the final two games of his career.
Overall, Colbert had an impressive Major League career despite having it cut short due to injury. He finished with a career .772 OPS (119 OPS+) and 173 homers in 10 seasons, and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Padres Hall of Fame in 1999.
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