Catcher → Pitcher, ML 400 save feat… Recovering 99 miles at age 36 “unrealistic”
Kenley Jansen (36, Boston Red Sox), who achieved 400 saves for the 7th time in major league history, recorded the highest speed in 7 years.
On the 11th메이저놀이터 (hereinafter Korean time), Jansen made a relief mound at the end of the 9th inning with a 5-2 lead in an away game against the 2023 Major League Atlanta Braves held at True Park in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and hit one double, but the rest including one strikeout He put up a save while putting out three batters.
His ninth save of the season also set his personal career record of 400 saves. Mariano Rivera (652 saves), Trevor Hoffman (601 saves), Lee Smith (478 saves), Francisco Rodriguez (437 saves), John Franco (424 saves) and Billy Wagner (422 saves) became the 7th pitcher in major league history. done.
In an interview with local media including MLB.com, Jansen said, “It is unrealistic. It’s really nonsense. It’s my 7th 400 save record, and I can’t believe I’ve been playing baseball this long. It keeps me motivated. We will try to do more in the future,” he said.
The Dutch Curacao native Jansen signed as an amateur free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in November 2014. He joined as a catcher, but his batting skills seldom improved. In the end, in July 2009, he changed his position to a pitcher during his high single-A days, and after his major league debut in 2010, he grew into a top-notch finisher.
After 12 years with the Dodgers until 2021, Jansen, who recorded the most 350 saves in the club’s history, transferred to Atlanta for $16 million a year last year and earned 41 saves, becoming the second personal salvation king after 2017. This year, he won a two-year, $32 million, multi-year contract with Boston, and while restoring his prime speed, he is playing a limited role.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen. /OSEN DB
Until this day, he threw 11⅔ innings in 12 games of the season, recording 1 win, 9 saves, an average ERA of 0.77 and 17 strikeouts. The average speed of his main cutter is 94.7 miles (152.4 km), which is his personal best, exceeding 94.5 miles (152.1 km) in his first year of debut in 2010. In the six years from 2017 to 2022, there were only 8 balls over 97 miles (156.1 km), but this year, 11 were already thrown a month and a half after the opening.
On the same day when he made 400 saves, he threw up to 98.7 miles (158.8 km) against Travis Dano, who also struck out against Atlanta. It was the highest personal arrest in 7 years since August 28, 2016.
“When he made the first save of his career, he threw 99 miles (159.3 km), and today he made 400 saves, he is flashing again,” said Jansen. I will continue to work hard every day in the future.” Justin Turner, an infielder who has been with the Dodgers since his days, said, “Today I saw 99 mph that Jansen couldn’t throw for a while. That’s proof that he worked hard to become great. I am proud of him,” he praised.