Joe Nathan is still at odds with Tigers fans
The relationship between Detroit Tigers fans and closer Joe Nathan has been contentious since the moment he signed a two-year, $20 million contract back on Dec. 4, 2013. After all, this was the same Joe Nathan who spent the prime years of his career as the Minnesota Twins closer, where he was frequently tasked with and often successful at closing out the Tigers. He was the enemy for so long, it was difficult for fans to outright accept him until he earned his stripes.
Then a bad thing happened on Nathan’s way to earning those stripes. He had his worst full season in baseball, posting a 4.81 ERA while allowing a .265 batting average and blowing seven saves. The blown saves tied for second most in MLB. If there was a criteria for almost blown saves, Nathan probably would have finished high on that list as well. It was just that type of season, and Tigers fans reminded him of it constantly.
Relentlessly even. Booing and jeering and often unflattering words became the soundtrack for many of his appearances at Comerica Park. Even the appearances when he looked every bit like the pitcher who had earned six All-Star selections.
It got to Nathan. He wouldn’t be human if it didn’t. Following an appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 13, one in which Nathan struggled but settled down to secure an 8-4 victory, he finally boiled over, responding to the boos with an unflattering gesture that he would later apologize for, but likely ensured he’d never get a clean slate in Detroit.
Not even the five months the two sides spent apart this winter could heal the wounds. And even if they were starting to heal, they were likely reopened after his Grapefruit League performance on Thursday at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. The 40-year-old right-hander was booed passionately after allowing six runs — four earned — on five hits and a walk during his fifth inning appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies. Those six runs would hold up as the difference in the game, with the Phillies winning 6-5.
Yes, it’s only spring training. And yes, Nathan had pitched three scoreless innings in his three previous spring outings. But anything that conjures up memories of Nathan’s struggles last season and the struggles of Detroit’s bullpen as a whole was likely to be met with discontent or outright anger.
Only this time, Nathan didn’t react with a gesture. He was straight forward and dismissive.
“I don’t care, to be honest,” Nathan said of the boos. “You know, those guys, to be honest with you, aren’t even on my mind. Fans aren’t in my mind. Only people that really matter to me is my family and the people in this locker room.”
“I don’t want to make a bigger deal than it is,” Nathan said. “Fans are going to be the way they are, and that’s the way it is. That doesn’t bother me. It’s not a part of my life. They’re not a part of my life. Period.”
Those words won’t help him win over those angry fans, though Nathan did backtrack a bit when asked again on Saturday.
Honestly, just standing by his initial comments would be the healthiest way to approach this situation. The ideal solution, of course, would be a bounce back season on the hill. That’s what everybody involved ultimately wants. The only problem is, Nathan might be at a point where there’s little he can do to make that happen.
There’s no such thing as a young 40 in MLB, so that factor is working against him. There’s also no room for an $11 million dollar mop up man. Something has to give eventually, and with each boo or jeer that follows, Tigers fans will be telling general manager Dave Dombrowski it better not be their playoff chances that crumble in Nathan’s wake.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
