K-Rod respects Sugar’s pursuit of his saves record

By César Augusto Márquez

Francisco Rodríguez knows his single-season saves mark is in peril. With less than a month to go in the 2018 regular season, Seattle Mariners closer Edwin “Sugar” Díaz needs is within striking distance of the tying the record that K-Rod set with 62 in 2008.

Heading into Thursday, Sept. 13, Díaz already had 54 saves with 17 games remaining on the Mariners’ schedule.

Rodríguez, who pitched for the independent Atlantic League Long Island Ducks this season, has paid close attention to Díaz’s season.

He derives pride from having another Latino pitcher make a run at his record.

“The season that Díaz has had has been incredible,” Rodríguez told La Vida Baseball. “Above all I think he has been a consistent ballplayer, and that is key when one has a new record within reach. As a Latino I feel proud that another Hispanic ballplayer, in this case a Puerto Rican, has the opportunity to pass me.”

In 2008 Rodríguez probably had the best season of his career. He had 62 saves while posting a 2.24 ERA with 77 strikeouts and only 34 walks while breaking the single-season saves record Bobby Thigpen set with 57 in 1990.

“That year it was very difficult to maintain my focus above all because the media and the fans were constantly close to me asking me about the possibilities of breaking the record,” Rodríguez said. “Fortunately, I was able to maintain my concentration on what I was doing, and that was precisely the key to achieve it.”

Díaz’s 2018 season has also been excellent. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound right hander was named to his first All-Star Game this year.

Heading into Thursday’s action, he had converted 54 of his 58 save opportunities for a .931 save percentage while striking out 119 in 69 1/3 innings. The only pitcher in the majors with a lower WHIP than Díaz’s 0.79 with at least 60 innings pitched is Milwaukee’s Josh Hader (0.75).

He blew his last save during the All-Star Game when he gave up a home run to Scooter Gennett, but he ended up with the victory that night.

As a man who already lived that experience, took the liberty of giving some advice to his colleague. As the owner of the record he sensed the authority to give his advice.

“If I had to give him advice it would be to keep doing the same thing and to not change a thing,” Rodríguez said. “In these days he’s going to feel a lot of pressure from the media and fans, and there will always be the temptation to do things better than he has done.

“Nevertheless, he has to try to make sure nothing makes him lose focus. If he can do that, he’ll have many chances to do that because he has the talent, and he has shown it.”

Díaz has a long stretch to cover. Moreover, he’s not in complete control of the save opportunities. Those are out of his control before the game gets to him.

Díaz may actually end up with a better season than Rodríguez had in 2018.

The Mariners’ closer got his 100th save at 24 years old, the same age Rodríguez was when he reached that mark.

The Venezuelan still hopes to return to the majors. He’s currently fourth on the all-time saves list with 437.

“My chapter in the big leagues hasn’t finished,” he said. “I hope to keep reaching steps as long as I’m healthy. In Edwin’s case, he’s a young ballplayer with incredible talent. If he remains healthy and consistent he can advance and move up the all-time saves list.”

Featured Image: Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images Sport