The Fan Hub

Joe Nathan
Texas Rangers – No. 36
Pitcher
Born: (1974-11-22) November 22, 1974 (age 37) Houston, Texas
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 21, 1999 for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics (through May 9, 2012)
Win-Loss record	48-25
Earned run average	2.88
Strikeouts	774
Saves	268
Teams
San Francisco Giants (1999–2003) Minnesota Twins (2004–2009, 2011) Texas Rangers (2012–present)
Career highlights and awards
4× All-Star (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009) Joseph W. Haynes Award (Twins' Pitcher of the Year) (2008) Twins all-time saves leader (255) Twins single-season saves record (47) AL Rolaids Relief Man Award (2009)

Joseph Michael Nathan (born November 22, 1974) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nathan started out his baseball career as a shortstop in high school but converted to a pitcher after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants. He worked his way through the minor leagues, alternating between spots in the rotation and the bullpen. After a few years of splitting time between the majors and the minors, Nathan had a breakout season as a setup man for the Giants in 2003. That off-season, Nathan was traded to the Twins and became their closer.

From 2004 to 2009, Nathan was considered one of the top closers in MLB with four All-Star appearances and a league-leading 246 saves. In 2010, Nathan underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow and missed the entire season. On April 3, 2011, Nathan recorded his first save since his injury against the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 16, 2011, Nathan regained his role as closer. On August 10, 2011, Nathan became the Twins all-time leader in saves with 255 in a game against the Boston Red Sox. He signed with the Texas Rangers on November 21, 2011.