Sweet Sugar: Edwin Díaz wins Mariano Rivera Award

LOS ANGELES – Only three players in major league history have saved 57 games in a season. Bobby Thigpen established the record saving 57 games for the White Sox in 1990. That record was eclipsed by Francisco Rodríguez, who closed the door 62 times for the Angels in 2008.

This year, Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Díaz became the third name on that list.

The 24-year-old flamethrowing native of Naguabo, Puerto Rico, was untouchable nearly the entire year, breaking Mariners franchise records on his way to 57 saves. He also joined former Dodgers closer Eric Gagne as the only two pitchers in MLB history to record 50 saves and 100 strikeouts in a season.

Capping an incredible year, Díaz was named the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award before Game 4 of the World Series.

Díaz’s dominance is more remarkable when you consider how he trained last winter. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the places Díaz used to work out were gone.

He could have joined teammate Robinson Canó in the Dominican Republic, Díaz returned home to help rebuild his hometown and get ready for the 2018 season.

Díaz delivered water as often as he did fastballs in the months between seasons, and called upon Los Rubios to help raise funds and awareness for ongoing needs on the island with a charity softball game.

Appropriately, Díaz was joined by his parents at the ceremony on Saturday evening in Los Angeles.

Featured Image: Lindsey Wasson / Getty Images Sport