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2009 MLB American League East Notebook
It’s a little hard to believe that Boston’s all-time saves leader figure stood at only 132. The Red Sox have had their share of quality closers in their career from Bob Stanley to Calvin Schiraldi to Jeff Reardon to Lee Smith.
But for most of those names, they were with the Red Sox toward the end of their careers. When closer Jonathan Papelbon closed out Boston’s 4-0 win in Baltimore on June 29, he notched his 132nd save to tie Stanley for first place on the club’s all-time list.
Papelbon is tied for second in the American League with New York’s Mariano Rivera in saves with 19. He trails only Los Angeles’ Brian Fuentes who is setting the pace with 22.
But Papelbon has been one of the most effective closers in recent years. He ranks third among all closers in saves. His 132 trails the New York Mets’ Francisco Rodriguez (169) and Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman (136).
NEW YORK
Speaking of the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera, he joined a very select company on June 28 when he collected his 500 th career save.
Rivera, who already has the American League all-time saves record, joined Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman who has 572 in his career. Rivera collected his first save in 1996 against the Angels. He has converted 19 of 20 save chances this season.
He added save No. 501 on June 30 against Seattle. The irony of that save is that he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game to commemorate his historic achievement
In his brilliant career, Rivera has recorded 110 that have needed more than three outs. There is no question that Rivera will make the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
And keep this in mind. Rivera will be the last player in baseball history to wear the No. 42. Baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 in 1997.
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TAMPA BAY
June always turns out to be the month that separates the contenders from pretenders. Well, count the Rays as contenders. They have used a 19-7 record – finished by a 7-game winning streak – to get themselves back into the AL East and wild card races. This is also the third-best record in club history.
The record is the second-best for the month in baseball. Colorado’ 20-7 spurt set the pace. The Rays can thank great pitching and great offense for getting them out of their April and May funk.
During the month, Tampa Bay led baseball with 5.8 runs and 1.5 home runs per game – the Rays hit a club-record 41 home runs for the month – while the team ERA was exceptional at 3.11. That will win a team a lot of games.
TORONTO
Second baseman Aaron Hill belted two home runs on June 28 against Philadelphia in 5-2 loss.
However, Hill’s homers – 19 for the season – set a single-season home run record by a second baseman. Hill passed Roberto Alomar.
It’s a bit of a surprise by Hill because he had not shown this kind of knack for power. His previous career high was the 17 he hit for all of 2007. But Hill is combining the power with average. He is hitting .302 for the season.
The question will be can he get to the All-Star game. It’s going to be tough with Boston’s Dustin Pedroia and Texas Ian Kinsler in the mix.
BALTIMORE
The Orioles’ relationship with Japanese players isn’t going well. Their first one with right-hander Koji Uehara has run aground because the team had to put him back on the disabled list with tendinitis in his elbow.
Uehara went on the DL back in late May. That’s tough because the 34-year-old signed a two-year contract in the offseason. At 2-4 with a 4.05 ERA, Uehara has not won a game since April 13.
By Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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