Rest In Peace Nate Colbert

1974 Topps (Washington Variation)

Enough already! We lost another player from my youth, former slugger and Mr. Padre before Dave Winfield, Nate Colbert. He was a slugger who had a monster 1972 campaign for the lowly Padres, though his time at the top was limited. He had five really good seasons and then fell off a cliff, so to speak. Few realize he finished his career in 1976 with a few at bats with the Oakland A's after his release from the Expos.

I know I sound like a broken record, but this has got to stop. Players I remember from my youth, many just from my baseball cards, are passing away way too often. I do realize I'm getting up there in age and so are they, but this isn't supposed to happen. Legends are supposed to live forever. And it's not happening.

I often wonder if kids today think of players the way we did back in the day. They can see any team any time so there is nothing left to the imagination. If you want to see the first baseman for the Tampa Rays, you don't need a baseball card. Just turn on SportsCenter or get the MLB Ticket. But is this a good thing? Will too much exposure mean they won't have the memories because it's too easy? How would I feel if I had seen every team all the time in my youth? Would I have watched even less? They say "too much of a good thing is bad."

So I look at the 1974 Topps Nate Colbert with the "Washington Nat'l Lea" variation and I remember a simpler time. Though I admit I don't remember much from 1974, I know there was a big man playing first base for the Padres who hit a lot of bombs!

Rest In Peace Nate Colbert...I will always remember you!