Beating the odds: Appreciating Joe Nathan's career in wake of release
In early April, the Washington Nationals - who were having some early-season bullpen issues - agreed to terms with 42-year-old closer Joe Nathan on a minor-league deal. On Wednesday, the team granted the veteran his release in what could be the last roster move prior to his retirement.
Nathan picked a good minor-league system to sign with. The Nationals were entering the season with Blake Treinen, Koda Glover, and Shawn Kelley sharing the closing duties. By the time May rolled around, even Matt Albers would earn a save - the first of his career in over 460 appearances.
With Triple-A Syracuse, Nathan would convert four of his five save opportunities. However, he would also post a 6.19 ERA and 5.55 FIP over 16 innings. With his small window into the major leagues closing - at least with the Nationals - he eventually asked for his release from the Nationals organization, and was granted his request, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation.
It's amazing how close Nathan came though, and where he will remain in the history books.
Among closers, Nathan currently ranks eighth in the all-time saves list, and no active reliever is pressing either.
| Pitcher | Saves |
|---|---|
| Mariano Rivera | 652 |
| Trevor Hoffman | 601 |
| Lee Smith | 478 |
| Francisco Rodriguez | 437 |
| John Franco | 424 |
| Billy Wagner | 422 |
| Dennis Eckersley | 390 |
| Joe Nathan | 377 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | 368 |
| Jeff Reardon | 367 |
Of course, Jonathan Papelbon isn't retired and could supplant Nathan for eighth. However, the 36-year-old is unemployed and has found himself without a roster since his release from the Nationals nine months ago.
The next closest active leader is Huston Street, who has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2017 season while nursing lat and shoulder injuries, with 324 saves.
The odds of Nathan making a comeback were always slim; as are the odds that any 42-year-old actually appears at the highest level of competition for their respective athletic profession.
What makes it even more amazing though, is the fact that Nathan underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career just barely two years ago.
Tommy John surgery takes upwards of a year to rehab back from for players in their prime - but bouncing back from one at age 40, even if it just meant appearances at Triple-A, is remarkable. It took 25-year-old Zack Wheeler two years to fully come back from his.
Now consider the fact that the return rate for a second Tommy John dips to 65.5 percent, according to one study in 2015. Though, there are many studies with varying numbers due to the difficult nature of tracking all the variables.
Nathan probably won't be making it into the Hall of Fame for his achievements - Cooperstown already doesn't care that much for closers. He threw nearly 500 fewer innings than Mariano Rivera. But his 25.9 percent career strikeout rate was prolific and puts him five percentage points ahead of the legendary Mo.
In his first year with the Minnesota Twins in 2004, Nathan finished fourth in Cy Young voting and 12th in MVP voting with an ERA of 1.32. His six All-Star appearances spanned from that season in 2004 to his last season as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2013 - after his first Tommy John.
Nathan proved on multiple occasions that he was capable of making a comeback, even converting from a starter at the ripe age of 27. And, at 42 years old, he came remarkably close once again.