On Thursday, Joe Nathan was horrible for the Tigers in their 6-5 loss to the Phillies. Nathan recorded just two outs, allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits, and walked one without a strikeout. Tigers fans predictably, lustfully booed Nathan during his appearance, peaking when he was pulled in the middle of the inning.
After the appearance, Nathan had some harsh words for the Tigers fans in Lakeland.
“I don’t care to be honest,” Nathan said. “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.”
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“I don’t want to make a bigger deal than it is,” said Nathan when asked if he considered the crowd’s response to be unusual during a spring training. “Fans are going to be the way they are and that’s the way it is.”
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“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “It’s not a part of my life. They’re not a part of my life. Period.”
This will end so well for Nathan. The 40-year old had a 4.81 ERA in 58 innings in 2014, saving 35 games and blowing a career-high seven save opportunities. He’ll make $10 million in 2015, and has a $1 million buyout on a $10 million club option for the 2016 season.
Needless to say, the Nathan situation has all the potential to blow up in a big way during the 2015 season.
