He’s one of the best closers in the history of baseball, but after his second Tommy John surgery Joe Nathan found himself out of a job. The Chicago Cubs wouldn’t let him stay that way for long. The Cubs were persistent and when Nathan finally agreed to let their scouts watch him throw, the new deal came soon after.
“At first it (coming back) was just about getting back into baseball,” Nathan said. “I was blessed and fortunate that the Cubs kept calling. …They were very persistent.”
There was a reason for the Cubs’ persistence. If Nathan can return to form, the Cubs will send a guy out on the field with the highest save percentage, 89.33, in major league baseball history. Nathan owns second place in American League history with 374 saves and is tied for first place all-time with four seasons with at least 35 saves, an E.R.A. below 1.89 E.R.A. and WHIP below 1.00. His 377 total saves are ranked No. 8 all-time in major league baseball.
Joe Nathan on the mound for the Smokies! #Cubs pic.twitter.com/bwjWJ5pwVh
— Brady Cox (@DisneyDude_71) June 26, 2016
This rehab has been tougher for Nathan than his previous Tommy John recovery in 2010. Not only his he six years older, but his flexor tendon and Ulnar Collateral Ligament both had to be repaired.
“You have to be honest with yourself,” Nathan said. “If you’re not feeling great one day, you have to tell yourself to take it easy. Sometimes that’s hard to do. You always want to push yourself and progress and keep the days moving along. It’s about being positive mentally. Some days you’ve got to push through.”
For the Cubs it was an easy risk to take. Nathan signed for the major league minimum, $507,500, with $2.4 million in performance bonuses and a $1.5 million option for 2017.
Well, this is cool. Thanks to @WBIRSports & @sportney_lyle for this candid of me & @JoeNathan36 yesterday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/FY2FzVDLDd
— Justin Rocke (@JustinRocke) June 25, 2016
For Nathan, the chance to join a potential championship team has made the final stretch of his rehab that much easier. While he’s pitched in the postseason with the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers, he’s never played in a league championship series or World Series.
“That (playing for a title) is the biggest motivator,” Nathan said. “And playing this game. It’s treated me very well and I have tons of respect for this game. If I don’t have something to offer and I don’t feel like I can compete and help a club out, it’ll be time to hang it up.”
On the other side is a return to the major leagues and a chance at the postseason success that has eluded him in a 15-year pro career. Nathan will be off the 60-day disabled list on July 16.
“I want to make sure I am ready when I go up there (Chicago),” Nathan said. “I don’t want to have any doubts. I want to make sure I use my time wisely here and get everything I can out of pitching. I want to get all my pitches comfortable so when I do go up there I’m not afraid to throw them in any counts.”
Great start for Joe Nathan (@JoeNathan36). Three up, three down. 2 K. Fastball sat 91-92. Slider at 87. Change at 80-81. #Cubs #Smokies
— Justin Rocke (@JustinRocke) June 24, 2016
Nathan has made two appearances for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies so far, pitching one inning against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on June 23 and June 25. He’s given up one hit, one run and recorded three strikeouts with no walks.
The signing not only worked out for Nathan and his quest for a ring, but Smokies Park is just 30 minutes away from his home in Knoxville, Tenn. On his first game back he had more than 40 friends and family in the stands watching him.
“It was the plan when we were signing, talking with the Cubs,” Nathan said. “Even before when we talked with (Cubs president) Theo (Epstein). I just said, I don’t want to get too excited, but this could play out pretty well. …It was nice to come home and sleep in my own bed.”
Nathan has already done plenty in his career and could very well end up in the Hall of Fame thanks to his accomplishments. At 41, he could easily call it a day and stay on the couch. But he’s not ready for that. Not yet.
“I have something left in the tank,” Nathan said. “I know I’m 41, but I don’t feel it. …I don’t feel mentally it’s time to hang them up.”
