5 reasons why Joe Nathan should ride off into the sunset

He’s Just Too Old

Taking a quote right out of Happy Gilmore‘s book, just look at Joe Nathan, he’s old.

The veteran closer would be 41 by the time he completely rehabs from injury and starts pitching sessions and simulated games. That’s old even by Julio Franco’s standards for pitching.

With an arm that has been put to the test multiple times with a couple surgeries, Nathan seems to have slowed down quite a bit during the last few stages of his career. The balls heading toward home plate have lacked the type of velocity they had earlier in his career and the vet is starting to look as aged as ever.

Before 2014, it looked like Nathan would never get old, but it took just one offseason with a monster contract to make the former superstar closer look like a thing of the past. It’s hard to see the guy struggle so much as he’s worked so hard during his career to get where he is today.

Let’s just face it, folks, Joe Nathan is old and he’s not getting any younger. His limbs are failing on him and it’s too late to tell him he needs to drink more milk.

Nathan’s career is coming to a close whether we like it or not, but he needs to make that happen before everyone else does.

Next: 3. Second Tommy John surgery