Nate Colbert

Nathan "Nate" Colbert (April 9, 1946 – January 5, 2023) was an American professional baseball first baseman who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1966 to 1976, amassing 173 home runs and earning three All-Star selections.^[1]^[2] Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall, Colbert debuted with the Houston Astros in 1966 before becoming a cornerstone of the expansion San Diego Padres' inaugural 1969 team, where he hit the franchise's first home run on April 24, 1969, against the Houston Astros.^[3]^[4] Colbert's most productive years came with the Padres from 1969 to 1974, during which he belted 163 home runs—a franchise record that stood until Manny Machado broke it in 2024—while averaging 27 home runs per season and batting .253 with 481 RBIs.^[4]^[3]^[2] He was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1971, 1972, and 1973, and finished eighth in the 1972 NL MVP voting after leading the Padres with 38 home runs and 111 RBIs.^[2] One of his most iconic performances occurred on August 1, 1972, when he tied an MLB record by hitting five home runs—including a grand slam—across a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, driving in 13 runs and accumulating 22 total bases in a single day.^[5]^[3] After leaving the Padres, Colbert played briefly for the Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics, concluding his career with a .243 batting average, 833 hits, and 520 RBIs overall.^[2] Widely regarded as the Padres' first true star and power hitter, he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1999 for his foundational role in the franchise's early history.^[4] In his later years, Colbert became an ordained minister, coached youth baseball, and contributed to community outreach until his death in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[3]

Early life

Childhood in St. Louis

Nathaniel Colbert Jr. was born on April 9, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a working-class family of African-American heritage.^[3] His father, Nate Sr., had previously played as a catcher and pitcher in the Negro Leagues before taking a job at a local mill to support the family, which included two brothers and three sisters.^[3] Growing up amid the economic challenges of post-World War II St. Louis, the Colberts navigated limited resources, yet parental encouragement played a pivotal role in fostering Nate's interests.^[3] The family resided in a predominantly African-American neighborhood on the city's north side, a segregated area reflective of the era's racial divisions.^[3] Colbert attended local schools, beginning at Cole School for his early education.^[3] From a young age, he developed a passion for baseball through informal sandlot games in the neighborhood, often playing alongside his father, who served as both coach and mentor, imparting fundamental skills despite the family's financial strains.^[3] He admired players like Jackie Robinson, who once signed his glove during a visit, further fueling his enthusiasm for the sport.^[3] A defining moment in Colbert's childhood came at age eight, when he attended a game at Sportsman's Park and witnessed St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial hit five home runs in a doubleheader against the New York Giants on May 2, 1954—an extraordinary performance that ignited his lifelong devotion to the sport.^[3] This event, coupled with his father's unwavering support for athletic pursuits, laid the groundwork for Colbert's early immersion in baseball, eventually leading him toward organized amateur leagues.^[3]

Amateur baseball career

Nate Colbert attended Charles H. Sumner High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he participated in baseball and football during the early 1960s.^[3] A knee injury sustained in football redirected his athletic focus toward baseball, in which he emerged as a standout outfielder known for his power hitting and base-running speed.^[3] At six feet two inches tall and lean, Colbert's physical attributes drew early attention from local scouts as he honed his skills in prep and summer leagues.^[3] During his senior year in 1964, Colbert earned recognition as a second-team first baseman on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Metropolitan All-Star high school team, highlighting his prowess in local competitive play.^[6] He also competed in semipro leagues around St. Louis, including with the Knights of the St. Louis Municipal Baseball Association, where his team won the league championship in 1963 and he was named to the St. Louis Argus All-Star team; his ability to drive the ball to all fields solidified his reputation as a promising amateur talent amid the era's limited scouting opportunities for African-American players.^[3]^[6] Colbert's performances attracted interest from Major League Baseball scouts, particularly from the St. Louis Cardinals organization, including scout George Hasser and director George Silvey, who arranged for him to take batting practice at Busch Stadium under manager Johnny Keane.^[3] Upon graduating from Sumner High School in 1964, he signed as an amateur free agent with the Cardinals on the recommendation of scout Joe Monahan, receiving a $20,000 signing bonus in the year before the MLB draft's inception.^[3]^[2] This agreement marked the culmination of his amateur career and launched him into professional baseball at age 18.^[3]

Professional career

Houston Astros years

Nate Colbert entered professional baseball by signing with the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in June 1964, following his graduation from Charles H. Sumner High School in St. Louis.^[7] He spent his initial seasons in the Cardinals' minor league system, posting modest results in rookie ball (.217 batting average, 2 home runs in 45 games in 1964) and advancing to Class A Cedar Rapids in 1965, where he hit .274 with 9 home runs.^[7] On November 29, 1965, the Houston Astros selected him from the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft, bringing the 19-year-old prospect into their organization as part of their effort to build depth during the franchise's early expansion years.^[3] Colbert made his major league debut with the Astros on April 14, 1966, at age 20, serving as a pinch runner in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers; he did not record an at-bat in that appearance.^[8] Over the course of his rookie season, he appeared in 19 games, primarily in pinch-running and pinch-hitting roles, without securing a hit in 7 at-bats, resulting in a .000 batting average and no home runs.^[2] Despite the limited opportunities, Colbert showed early versatility, occasionally filling in at first base and outfield positions, though he struggled to adjust to major league pitching.^[3] Returned to the minors for further development, Colbert thrived in 1967 with the Double-A Amarillo Sonics, batting .293 with 28 home runs and 26 stolen bases, earning Texas League MVP and All-Star honors as a power-hitting first baseman.^[7] He advanced to Triple-A Oklahoma City in 1968, hitting .264 with 14 home runs in 92 games, before two brief call-ups to the Astros that summer and fall, where he played 20 games, batted .151 (8-for-53), and saw time at first base and in the outfield but hit no home runs.^[2] As a promising power prospect, Colbert's minor league success contrasted with his sparse major league exposure amid the Astros' ongoing struggles, as the team finished with losing records each year from 1966 (72-90) through 1968 (72-90), reflecting the challenges of the post-expansion era.^[9] On October 14, 1968, the Astros lost Colbert to the expansion San Diego Padres in the MLB expansion draft.^[3]

San Diego Padres stardom

Nate Colbert was selected by the San Diego Padres from the Houston Astros as the 18th overall pick in the National League expansion draft on October 14, 1968, becoming a foundational player for the franchise's inaugural 1969 season.^[10] As the team's primary first baseman, he provided consistent power from the outset, hitting 24 home runs and driving in 66 runs while batting .255 in 139 games, helping to establish an offensive identity for the expansion club amid its 52-110 record.^[2] His emergence as a reliable slugger marked him as the Padres' first bona fide star, offering stability to a roster built largely from other teams' leftovers.^[3] Colbert's performance peaked during his Padres tenure, earning him three consecutive National League All-Star selections from 1971 to 1973.^[1] In 1970, he batted .259 with 38 home runs and 86 RBIs, leading the team in both categories. In 1971, he batted .264 with 27 home runs and 84 RBIs, again leading the team; he followed with 38 home runs (tying his career high) and 111 RBIs in 1972 while hitting .250, topping the Padres in those stats.^[2] His 1973 season saw him bat .270 with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs, securing another team lead in RBIs and contributing to his third All-Star nod.^[2] Over multiple seasons, including 1971, Colbert also paced the Padres in hits, underscoring his all-around offensive contributions.^[2] One of Colbert's most memorable performances came on August 1, 1972, during a doubleheader sweep against the Atlanta Braves, where he hit five home runs—including three in the second game—drove in a major league-record-tying 13 runs, and collected 22 total bases.^[11] Across his six seasons with San Diego from 1969 to 1974, he compiled a .253 batting average, 163 home runs, and 481 RBIs in 866 games, setting the franchise record for career home runs that stood until Manny Machado surpassed it in 2024.^[2] Despite the Padres' consistent struggles, finishing last in the National League West each year with records no better than 60-102, Colbert's production offered vital leadership and excitement for fans of the young expansion team.^[3] Colbert's time with the Padres ended after the 1974 season when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers on November 18, 1974, amid ongoing back issues that hampered his mobility.^[2]

Later MLB teams and retirement

Following a disappointing 1974 season with the San Diego Padres, where he batted .207 with 14 home runs in 119 games while transitioning to left field to accommodate Willie McCovey, Colbert was traded to the Detroit Tigers on November 18, 1974, in a three-team deal that also involved the Milwaukee Brewers.^[3]^[12] In 1975, his performance with Detroit was hampered by ongoing struggles, as he appeared in 45 games, batting .147 with 4 home runs and 18 RBIs before the Tigers sold his contract to the Montreal Expos on June 15.^[2] With the Expos, Colbert provided limited production in 38 games, hitting .173 with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs, contributing to a combined 1975 slash line of .156/.252/.328 across 83 games and 8 home runs for both teams.^[2] Colbert's tenure with Montreal ended abruptly when he was released on June 2, 1976, amid continued offensive woes and physical decline.^[3] He then signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics, spending most of the season with their Triple-A affiliate, the Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League, where he batted .266 with 19 home runs in 112 games.^[13] Recalled briefly to the majors in September, he appeared in just 2 games for Oakland, going hitless in 5 at-bats with no extra-base hits.^[2] Granted free agency on November 1, 1976, Colbert attended spring training with the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1977 but was released during camp, marking the end of his attempts to return to the majors.^[3] At age 30, Colbert retired after the 1976 season, his career curtailed by chronic back pain stemming from a congenital degeneration of his vertebrae, which had progressively worsened since the early 1970s and severely limited his mobility and power.^[3]^[4] Over 10 MLB seasons from 1966 to 1976, he compiled a .243 batting average, 173 home runs, and 520 RBIs in 1,004 games, with much of his production concentrated in his peak years with the Padres.^[2] The back condition, compounded by other injuries like a fractured wrist and concussion earlier in his career, prevented a longer tenure despite his earlier promise as a power hitter.^[3]

Post-retirement activities

Coaching roles

After retiring from playing, Colbert returned to organized baseball in 1987 as a hitting instructor in the San Diego Padres' minor league system.^[6] He served as a hitting coach for the Class-A Riverside Red Wave in the California League from 1988 to 1990, contributing to the development of prospects during his three seasons with the affiliate.^[14]^[15] In this role, Colbert drew on his major league experience as a power hitter to guide young players in offensive fundamentals.^[3] Colbert departed from coaching after the 1990 season to pursue other endeavors, including a transition to ministry work. He later managed teams in independent professional baseball leagues, including the Western Baseball League and Big South League, in 1995 and 1996.^[3]

Ministry and personal challenges

After retiring from professional baseball, Nate Colbert became an ordained minister following his graduation from St. Louis Baptist College.^[16] He pursued ministry work in the San Diego area, including serving at the Cottage Christian Fellowship in Escondido, where he emphasized outreach to young people through faith-based programs.^[6] Colbert also operated baseball schools and camps that integrated Christian values with sports instruction, targeting disadvantaged and at-risk youth to provide mentorship and positive guidance.^[3] In October 1990, Colbert was indicted on 12 felony counts of bank fraud for submitting false information on loan applications to the Cuyamaca Bank of Santee, California, between February 1988 and December 1989, resulting in $138,000 in fraudulent loans secured by real estate he did not own.^[14] He pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud in February 1991.^[17] In September 1991, he was sentenced to one year in federal custody, five years of probation, and ordered to pay $138,000 in restitution; he served his term at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California, and was released in 1992.^[18] Following his release, Colbert viewed the experience as a pivotal moment that deepened his commitment to faith and personal redemption. He rededicated himself to ministry, continuing his work with youth through baseball-oriented Christian programs and community involvement in the San Diego region.^[3]

Personal life and legacy

Family and relationships

Nate Colbert married Carol Ann Allensworth on July 27, 1966, during his early years with the Houston Astros.^[3] The couple divorced in 1979 following Colbert's transition through several MLB teams.^[3] Colbert met his second wife, Kathrien (Kasey) Louis Barlow, while playing for the Oakland Athletics in 1975, and they married shortly after his divorce.^[19] Together, they had nine children and 22 grandchildren, and Kasey provided steadfast support as the family relocated multiple times during the later stages of his career and beyond, including moves to subsequent cities after San Diego.^[19] Post-retirement, Colbert remained actively involved in his children's lives, emphasizing family values alongside his ministry work.^[3] The family eventually settled in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they continued to build their life together.^[19]

Death and tributes

Nate Colbert died on January 5, 2023, at the age of 76 in his Las Vegas home, surrounded by his family. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed.^[4]^[6] The San Diego Padres announced Colbert's passing the following day, emphasizing his pivotal role as the franchise's inaugural star player during its expansion years. In a statement, Padres Chairman Peter Seidler expressed profound sorrow, noting Colbert's contributions both on the field as a three-time All-Star and off it through his ministry work with disadvantaged youth. Seidler described him as "a magnetic person who will be dearly missed" and affirmed that Colbert would "always be remembered as one of the greatest Padres of all-time."^[4]^[20] Tributes from the baseball community, including MLB figures and fans, highlighted Colbert's enduring legacy, particularly his 1999 induction into the Padres Hall of Fame alongside Ray Kroc and Randy Jones. Former teammates and admirers recalled his power-hitting prowess, such as his record-setting five-home-run doubleheader in 1972. In September 2024, Manny Machado surpassed Colbert's franchise home run record of 163 with his 164th homer for the Padres, a milestone that further cemented Colbert's lasting impact on the organization even after his death.^[4]^[21]