Originally signed by the Cardinals in 1964, Colbert was later selected by Houston in the 1966 Rule V draft. He hit 42 homers and drove in 111 runs during two seasons of minor-league ball, but never put it together during his two call-ups with Houston, hitting .151 in 1968.

As with most former Astros, he blossomed after leaving Space City. The expansion San Diego Padres claimed him in the 1968 expansion draft, after which he carried their otherwise-anemic offense on his shoulders.

The biggest night of his career came on August 1, 1972, when he drove in 13 runs for the Padres against the Braves in a twi-night doubleheader, tying him with four others in MLB history - Earl Averill, Jim Tabor, Phil Weintraub, and Boog Powell - and hitting five home runs, tying him with Stan Musial for most homers in a twinbill.

When his power at the plate ebbed in 1974, the Padres dealt him to Detroit. He later played with Montreal and Oakland before he retired after the 1976 season.

Colbert paased away on January 5, 2023 at age 76.