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Nate Colbert may finally get pushed in San Diego Padres history

By David Hill

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1969: Nate Colbert #17 of the San Diego Padres poses for this photograph before an Major League Baseball game circa 1969. Colbert played for the Padres from 1969-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1969: Nate Colbert #17 of the San Diego Padres poses for this photograph before an Major League Baseball game circa 1969. Colbert played for the Padres from 1969-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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The San Diego Padres have had some impressive hitters over the years. With the likes of Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, and Fred McGriff, amongst others, the Padres have had plenty of firepower over the years. However, their all time home run leader is Nate Colbert, who hit 163 homers in a Padres’ uniform.

However, Colbert’s time atop the Padres’ leaderboard is running out. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. may only rank in a tie with Wil Venable for 17th all time in franchise history with 81 homers, but he is just 23 years old and under contract until 2034. It is just a matter of time.

Nate Colbert’s time atop San Diego Padres home run leaderboard running out

Colbert had to fend off a challenge before. Adrian Gonzalez had hit 161 homers in five seasons with the Padres and seemed set to shatter the record. However, he was traded to the Red Sox prior to the 2011 season and, as he never returned to the Padres, finished two homers shy of the record.

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Although he is overlooked these days, Colbert was one of the Padres’ first stars. Taken with the 18th overall selection in the 1969 Expansion Draft, he immediately settled in as a force in the middle of their lineup. A three time All Star, Colbert hit over 20 homers in his first five seasons in San Diego, hitting 38 homers twice.

His 38 homers in 1970, a mark he tied in 1972, stood as the single season record intil 1996, when a chemically enhanced Ken Caminiti became the first player in team history to hit 40 homers in a season. Since that point, four other players have passed Colbert’s single season best, including Tatis in 2021 when he hit 42 home runs.

If he can replicate that performance over the next two seasons, Tatis would surpass Colbert by the end of 2023. Once that happens, it would not be much longer until he slips further down the list, as Manny Machado should pass his total by the end of the 2025 season as well.

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Nate Colbert has a place in San Diego Padres history as their first real star. However, his time as the franchise home run leader is running out.

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