Joe Nathan Has A Full Plate

I've always admired Joe Nathan. For my money he's the best closer in the game. Arguments can be made for a Francisco Rodriguez, and of course there's Mariano and Trevor Hoffman, but I'll take Nathan.

Why?

Because the man has lights out stuff, and he can pitch while he's got other things on his mind. Take for instance the first two days of the Nathan's season thus far.

Monday night, Joe Nathan saved a baseball game, and later he stayed up with his young son, Cole, who had a fever of 104 degrees. Tuesday night, Nathan saved another baseball game, and later, at about 7 this morning his wife Lisa was scheduled to be induced and deliver their second child, who is supposed to be a girl the Nathans will name Riley.

Apparently nothing distracts this guy, whose second save of 2007 came in the Twins' 3-2 victory over Baltimore.

"It's crazy," Nathan said. "(Today) it will probably be a little more crazy. If the game's close and Riley's not out yet, then it's going to be pretty crazy. Hopefully my wife is understanding if I have to leave for a couple hours and finish a ballgame."

Now that's dedication. Seriously, what's scarier? Facing Albert Pujols in the bottom of the 9th inning with the game on the line, or telling your wife you have to leave the birth of your child to go strike out Corey Patterson?

I'll take Pujols, thank you.