Joe Nathan Minnesota Twins Jerseys, Memorabilia, and Fan Gear

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Joe Nathan is a closer who plays for the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws right-handed, and stands at a height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m). He started playing baseball as a shortstop in high school, and played the same position in college. However, he became a pitcher after the San Francisco Giants drafted him in 1995. After working his way through the minor leagues, he alternated between spots in the rotation and the bullpen. He spent a few seasons splitting time between the majors and the minors before having a breakout season as a relief pitcher in 2003. Nathan was traded from the Giants to the Minnesota Twins on November 16, 2003. Nathan joined the Minnesota Twins in 2004 as their closing pitcher, and continues to hold that position. Though Nathan was slated to make $6 million in 2008, on March 24, 2008, the Minnesota Twins re-signed Nathan to a four-year, $47 million contract through 2011. The deal also includes a $12.5 million club option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout. On July 6, 2008, Nathan was announced as a reserve player for the American League in the 2008 All-Star Game. In the 2008 season he was 39/45 in save opportunities with a 1.33 ERA and 74 strikeouts. He ranked seventh in the MLB in saves and had the lowest ERA of the top 30 save leaders in 2008.