Is Nathan getting a bad rap?
Since Joe Nathan's 9th inning meltdown last night, I've seen numerous claims of Nathan being bad under pressure, or bad in the postseason. I'm not convinced there's enough evidence to support such a claim.
I feel like calling Nathan a postseason choker is about as valid as when Alex Rodriguez was criticized for not being clutch (look at him now). The postseason is a small sample size that's intensely magnified.
Looking at Nathan's postseason record, I see just 2 games out of 5 since he's become a Twins that couldn't be considered good outings. In 2004 he allowed 2 runs through 2 1/3 innings in a game the Twins lost by 1. That outing, however was surrounded by a perfect inning of pitching in a 2-0 Twins victory and a scoreless 1 2/3 inning in the game 4 loss. In 2006 he through a wild pitch allowing Juan Rincon's baserunner to score, but completed the inning without further damage in a game the Twins lost by 3.
And then, of course, there was last night.
I'm not going to argue that Nathan has a good postseason track record, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes 5 for 5 in his next postseason outings, and then everyone would be calling him a big-game closer. Nathan has enough of a regular season track record (through 6 seasons!) that I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Topics: Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins, Alex Rodriguez
3 Comments
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brian d. mannOct 10, 2009 01:27:17 PM
Armando Benitez all over again.
KrisOct 12, 2009 06:13:13 PM
Nathan's 2009 salary was $11.25 million, according to ESPN.
Oct 10, 2009 01:21:34 PM
Look at his ERA.......About 8........No good for a closer that hasn't won anything in his career. For what kind of money? 7-8-9 mil?