Joe Nathan '97 named to sixth MLB All-Star Game

NEW YORK - Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Famer and baseball great Joe Nathan '97 has been named to the 2013 American League All-Star team and will participate in the 84th annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game July 16 at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. The selections were announced by Major League Baseball Saturday evening. Fans can watch Nathan and the All-Star Game live on FOX at 7:30 p.m.

Nathan has now been selected to the AL All-Star team six times in his career. This is his second consecutive selection with the Rangers. He was named to the team as a member of the Minnesota Twins in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

Nathan is enjoying another stellar season as a closer. In 39 games this season for Texas, Nathan has pitched 37-2/3 innings and allowed just 20 hits while striking out 39. He has a 1-0 record with a 1.43 ERA and 28 saves, which currently ranks second in the American League.

In his career, Nathan ranks 13th all-time with 327 saves. He is second only to New York's Mariano Rivera among active pitchers.

In five career innings at the All-Star Game, Nathan has a 1.80 ERA and has allowed only three hits while striking out four.

Nathan was a two-time Academic All-American at Stony Brook and hit .378 in his time with the Seawolves and was also inducted into the Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame on Dec. 6, 2006, when he became the first former Stony Brook student-athlete to have his number retired. Stony Brook renamed its baseball facility Joe Nathan Field after Nathan donated the lead gift that led to the park's renovation.