Joe Nathan
From BR Bullpen
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 195 lb.
- School Stony Brook University
- Debut April 21, 1999
- Born November 22, 1974 in Houston, TX USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Joe Nathan began his pro career in 1995 as a shortstop in the San Francisco Giants organization after being selected in the sixth round of that year's amateur draft. That year, he hit 3 homers and drove in 20 runs for the Bellingham Giants, but he sat out the 1996 season and completed his college degree. In 1997, he returned to the Giants organization and was converted to a pitcher, going 2-1 with a 2.47 ERA and 2 saves for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. The next year, he posted a 3.32 ERA for the Class A San Jose Giants before being promoted to the AA Shreveport Captains later in the season.
Nathan made his big league debut in 1999 and was primarily a starter in his first two major league seasons. After the 2003 season, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser for A.J. Pierzynski. He quickly established himself as Minnesota's closer, saving more than 40 games in each of his first two full seasons with the Twins.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Through 2007, Nathan was the last Giant whose major league debut came as a winning starting pitcher. As mentioned, that was in 1999: every other major league team has had such a debut since then.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time AL All-Star (2004, 2005 & 2008)
- 30 Saves Seasons: 4 (2004-2007)
- 40 Saves seasons: 2 (2004 & 2005)
