KRod On Record Setting Pace

[nyjunc]

While all of the focus on Rodriguez has been on the column one to the left of that -- he's in line to set the record for saves in a season, currently held by Bobby Thigpen, who notched 57 in 1990 -- you cannot separate that chase from his march towards the opportunities mark. Rodriguez has had 62 save opportunities this season, the second-highest total of all time, three behind Thigpen's mark of 65 set in '90.

Without being too critical of an effective pitcher, what Francisco Rodriguez has done with those opportunities isn't special. He has blown six saves for a 90.3% conversion rate this season, a figure that compares unfavorably with peers such as Mariano Rivera of the Yankees (33/34, 97.1%) and Joakim Soria of the Royals (35/38, 92.1%).

That rate is also unimpressive when compared to other high-save closers; among the 11 50-save campaigns in baseball history, Rodriguez's 2008 season features the seventh-highest total of blown saves and the seventh-highest save percentage, the eighth-highest ERA and RA, the ninth-highest Reliever Expected Wins Added total, the 10th-best strikeout-to-walk ratio and the worst Value Over Replacement Player.

The fact is, Rodriguez's performance this season has not been special for any closer, and it's been below average for 50-save closers.

BP: Unconventional Wisdom: How good has K-Rod really been? - MLB - SI.com

[DirtyKash]

Ultimately, who really cares if he's been the best, or if he's been better than closer X or closer Y, or whether he's had to pitch more than 1 inning. The bottom line is that his team doesn't need him to pitch more than 1 inning; his team asks him to do one thing and that's to close out games and he gets the job done; he has closed out more close wins than anyone else in baseball (tied with Thigpen but soon to pass him); and he's going to the playoffs. That's all that really matters. Celebrate K-Rod's achievement because we might not see it done for a while.

[catman]

K'Rod has had the advantage of playing on a very good baseball team, as opposed to Soria and Rivera (yes, I am saying the Yankees are not a very good team this season). K'Rod is one of the most competitive players in the game. He will always give his best effort, which is a hallmark of this year's Angels team. The team gives him the ball with the lead and he does his job, for the most part.
I congratulate K'Rod on this outstanding achievement and expect to see a very difficult total to beat by the end of the season.

[nyjunc]

We know he's an excellent closer, I just don't want fans to get confused thinking this is some all-time great season b/c he is setting a meaningless saves record. When I was a kid and dave Righetti ste the record at 46 I thought he was great until I grew up and understood the game more and realized he wasn't a great closer.

[Porter]

I Split                 G   GS GF  W  L  S CG SHO   IP    ERA   H   R   ER HR  BB IBB  SO HBP
  D.Righetti ('86)      46   0 46  0  0 46  0   0  67     0.40  39   3   3  0  14   1  52   1
  B.Thigpen ('90)       57   0 57  0  0 57  0   0  62.2   0.14  31   1   1  0  17   1  50   1
  F.Rodriguez ('08)     57   0 57  0  0 57  0   0  53.2   0.67  30   4   4  3  25   3  63   2

Here are the splits in actual converted saves for their respective seasons.

[love_that_reefer]

Ultimately, who really cares if he's been the best, or if he's been better than closer X or closer Y, or whether he's had to pitch more than 1 inning. The bottom line is that his team doesn't need him to pitch more than 1 inning; his team asks him to do one thing and that's to close out games and he gets the job done; he has closed out more close wins than anyone else in baseball (tied with Thigpen but soon to pass him); and he's going to the playoffs. That's all that really matters. Celebrate K-Rod's achievement because we might not see it done for a while.

We won't see this again for a long time. 60+ saves is a hard task to achieve. Krod will have helped win 60 of 90+ wins!! Closers have one job and that's to get the save. The amazing feat is his durability.

[DirtyKash]

#58!!!!!!
NEW RECORD HOLDER!
Francisco Rodriguez!

[love_that_reefer]

That's what he looks like after every save. Congrats to Krod for being such a great durable reliever.

[DirtyKash]

#59 tonight! One more until 60!

[nyjunc]

How come there aren't posts when he blows saves? he blew another one the other night.

[GiantsFanatic]

Because the title of this thread is not intended to be "Krod on recording setting pace for blown saves in a single season"

[nyjunc]

Youn can still mention them although it would probably push this thread another page or 2.

[DirtyKash]

All hail the single-season saves record holder!

[nyjunc]

[DirtyKash]

K-Rod got #60 yesterday!