Nate Colbert was a three-time All-Star for the San Diego Padres in the 1960s and ‘70s and remains the franchise’s home run leader.
- Died: January 5, 2023 (Who else died on January 5?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 76.
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Baseball career
Colbert signed with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent in 1964 and was then chosen by the Houston Astros in the 1965 Rule 5 draft. He played for the Astros until 1968, when the San Diego Padres were established and chose him in their expansion draft. Colbert became an early star for the Padres, a three-time All-Star in the 1970s and a powerful hitter. He hit five home runs in one 1972 doubleheader, one of only two MLB players to do so. His 163 home runs over six seasons with the Padres remains the team’s record. Traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1975, Colbert also briefly played for the Montreal Expos and Oakland A’s before his retirement in 1976 due to back problems.
Tributes to Nate Colbert
Full obituary: The San Diego Union-Tribune
