January 6, 2022

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

When Nate Colbert made his Expos debut as a pinch hitter in the second game of a doubleheader on June 17, 1975 at Jarry Park, Montreal fans knew of his exploits as a slugger.

Colbert IDed as a San Diego Padre for most of his big-league career but the fans gave him a fine round of applause which really moved him emotionally. The headline in one of the French newspapers the next day translated like this:

Colbert blown away by crowd reaction

One of the highlights of Colbert's time with the Expos was his dramatic, pinch-hit job in the bottom of the ninth inning on Aug. 2, 1975. With his club down 3-1 with two on and two out, Colbert drilled a three-run shot to give the Expos a 4-3 win.

Colbert is being remembered following his death Jan. 5 in an announcement made by the Padres.

Colbert was released by the Expos on June 2, 1976. He was acquired by Montreal from the Tigers on June 15, 1975.

The St. Louis native was forced to retire way too soon at age 30 due to back problems. Amazingly, he was right near the top in lifetime homers by a Padre with 163 prior to the 2022 season.

Colbert was only nine when he was on hand at old Sportsmen's Park in St. Louis the day Cardinals great Stan Musial hit five home runs in a doubleheader.

Colbert reportedly told some friends he would never duplicate Musial's feat but he did 18 years later on Aug. 1, 1972 against the Braves. Imagine.