Yankees fans have a special cheer for Derek Jeter.  They may not know it, but I've been to the old Yankee Stadium and I've heard it.  It starts as a low rumble like an orchestra tuning up and it doesn't always get loud, but it gets... confident.  It sounds just like a cheer but I sense a unique feeling in it.  It is confidence and anticipation, like they just sat in for an exciting new roller coaster and the ride just left the gate.  Like whatever was not going right for the Yankees, it is about to be fixed.  They know it and they just can not wait.

In 2004, Joe Nathan's first year as a Twin, I was in Yankee Stadium in late September when the Twins had already clinched their division and were facing the Yankees who were in pursuit of a division title.  Not only did I see three games of that series, but for the 2nd game, a night game, I was lucky enough, thanks to a friend, to have seats on the lower level, behind home plate on the Yankees' dugout side, 10 rows back, if that.  

In the 8th inning of that game, Jeter came to bat.  I do not remember all the situation's specifics.  I am pretty sure the score was tied.  It was certainly close, runners were on base, and there were two outs.  Nathan rarely pitches before the 9th inning, but this was one of those rare situations where he was brought in to get the 3rd out of the 8th.  

Nathan struck Jeter out swinging on a fastball high in the strike zone.  I had a fantastic view of it.  As the ball smacked the catcher's mitt, Jeter's body pretzeled from the futile swing, the Bronx faithful fell silent and into their seats.  The Jeter Thrill Ride was temporarily out of service.  My friend and I rose and whooped it up.  Exhiliration.

Joe Nathan is tops among closers in save percentage and E.R.A. over the last five regular seasons.  He's quietly been as good as or better than any closer you can name.  He's been an All-Star four times.  

I've been to the Twins' Spring Training, my parents have gone every year for at least the last 7 or 8 years.  We can testify that no Twins player is more patient, humble, and willing to stop and sign and autographs.  Star that he is, big crowds swarm him when they can, and he patiently waits and signs for every approacher, almost always with a smile and willingness to chat. 

My mom has a picture of Joe and Twins great Brad Radke from Spring Training.  They were on the practice field.  By their looks they had clearly been doing strenuous exercise.  They look worn out.  But they stopped, are facing the camera, and have genuine smiles on their faces.  

My mom returned the following year with an enlarged copy of the photo and got them both to autograph it.

Per Star Tribune reporter Jim Souhan's article today, "Nathan showed up in front of his locker Friday night [after the Twins' heart-breaking 4-3 loss to the Yankees, in which Nathan surrendered a game-tying two-run home-run to Alex Rodriguez in the 9th inning] to answer every question".  "[A]s he always does in the Metrodome", and "[a]s he did after [an even more gut-wrenching] playoff loss to the Yankees in 2004". 

Souhan's article is titled "Golden chance to even series blown by Nathan".

Joe Nathan is my favorite Twin.