Update, 11:57 p.m.: Joe Nathan apologized Thursday morning for his rude gesture to the Comerica Park crowd Wednesday night, saying he understands the fans’ issues with his performance.
“I do apologize for my actions and I want to put it behind us as quick as I can and move on to what’s important, and that’s winning games,” he told reporters before Thursday's game, Anthony Fenech reports in the Free Press.
Nathan arrived in the Tigers’ clubhouse at 10:29 a.m. and fielded questions from the media immediately.
“I was frustrated and, obviously, the fans were frustrated,” he said. “For myself, I apologize for that, but I have two kids and I need to be a better example for them.
Earlier: Joe Nathan hasn't heard anything yet.
The Tigers' closer, who has struggled this season like never before in his career, made what appeared to be a rude gesture toward Detroit fans at Comerica Park after Detroit's 8-4 victory Wednesday night.
Video of the incident rocketed across cyberspace overnight.
The crowd had booed Nathan when he took the mound in the ninth inning, and the boos intensified after he walked the first two batters.
Then Nathan got Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison to ground into a double play to end the game.
The Tigers lined up for their ritual handshakes, but Nathan caught the attention of some sharp-eyed fans when he flicked his glove and his hand under his chin, a widely understood gesture that is a slightly more genteel way of flipping someone off.
Mark Townsend writes on Yahoo!Sports:
Nathan's a grown man who's been through a lot in 14 big league seasons. He's one who you would think would let such reaction roll off his back. The frustration that has been building up all season long just got the best of him on Wednesday, and it's unfortunate because it will likely define his entire season and perhaps his entire tenure in Detroit should it continue beyond 2014.
