When a team loses a leader like Torii Hunter, it’s to be expected that fans will ask where does the leadership come from now? Hunter is not only a seven time gold glove winning center fielder and power hitter, but a commanding locker room presence who will give advice to teammates, and both entertain and inform reporters who regularly gather around him.
Joe Nathan, who has been on Twins teams since 2004, didn’t deny that Hunter, now with the Angels, was a leader but told Sports Headliners the team has had and continues to have multiple leaders. He mentioned Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, players who have been with the team in the past, and also Livan Hernandez, Adam Everett and Mike Lamb, newcomers this season.
“It’s a team where it’s not really like we need that one guy… to step up for the whole team,” Nathan said. “We have a pretty good group of guys and everybody kind of knows their roles. If something needs to be said, everybody can speak up. …There’s a number of guys who can kind of be that leader role, and…do that if we have to.”
Nathan is perhaps baseball’s best closer. This season he is 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA. He ranks second in American League saves with 13.
How does he see himself in regard to leadership this season? “I am not trying to do anything different…than I’ve always done,” he said. “I am not so much of the vocal leader (type) guy. I think for our bullpen, we’ve got guys that have been around here for a number of years and pretty much know what we need to do down there. …”
Nathan is certainly willing to answer questions from teammates. “As far as me just coming out and talking, it’s not really my style,” he said.
Nathan, 33, has been a starting pitcher, early reliever, set up man and closer. Those roles have provided various experiences he can share with others.