Former Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan doesn’t seem to be in good standing with Detroit Tigers fans anymore.
On Wednesday, according to Michigan Live, Nathan was booed off the mound by Detroit’s home fans at a spring training game after allowing 6 runs (4 earned) in just two-thirds of an inning.
Spring box score line du jour Joe Nathan vs #Phillies 2/3 IP 5 H 6 R 4 ER 1 BB 0 K. Uh-oh! Been hearing he's had no velo. Is it still early?
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 12, 2015
“I don’t care to be honest,” said Nathan, reacting to getting booed. “You know, those guys, to be honest with you, aren’t even on my mind. Fans aren’t in my mind. Only people that really matter to me is my family and the people in this locker room.”
He added: “It doesn’t bother me. It’s not a part of my life. They’re not a part of my life. Period.”
Nathan’s comments are similar to a few of his postgame interviews following disastrous outings last season. On one occasion, Nathan had to apologize after using his glove in a chin-flick motion to fans, which can be viewed as a demeaning gesture.
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Hardball Talk’s Aaron Gleeman notes that Nathan is determined to prove that he isn’t washed up at age 40. Instead, his fastball on Wednesday topped out at 91 miles per hour and the $10 million man is looking like a shell of his former All-Star self.
Nathan played for the Twins from 2004-2011 and set a franchise record with 260 saves. Four of his six All-Star nods came with the Twins; he was a two-time All-Star with the Rangers.
