Mexicutioner perfection

This excerpt from the Star's Royals camp notebook made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside:

Here’s a stat gem from Bill James’ latest work, The Bill James Gold Mine 2009: All-Star closer Joakim Soria led all major-league relievers last season with 36 one-two-three innings.

As a comparison, Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez, now with the Mets, had just 22 one-two-three innings while setting a record with 62 saves. Phillies closer Brad Lidge had just 25 one-two-three innings while going 41 for 41 in save opportunities

about 3 years ago jsolo 16 comments 0 recs |

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I don't think it would be hyperbole

to suggest Soria is already the best closer in the majors.

by jsolo on Mar 23, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

All the more reason to put him...

in high leverage situations.

Like the unorthodox 9 inning save.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

by Sweep_the_Leg on Mar 23, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Soria

and he could be in the future, but Rivera’s still the man until someone knocks him off the pedestal.

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary to Driveline Mechanics and elsewhere since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 23, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't disagree, but Rivera is 39

And if I was building a team from scratch right now and I had to pick a “closer” then I would be hard pressed to find someone more appealing then Mr. Soria. If you take into account age and contract status, I think it’s a no brainer.

by jsolo on Mar 23, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

He was #1

In my Rotowire fantasy baseball publication among closers.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 24, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Soria pitching now!!

Also, had his first spring training at bat – he struck out.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Mar 23, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

1 1/3 innings pitched, and um, no one scored.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Mar 23, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

2 scoreless

with 2 K’s

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Mar 23, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

and in the decent human category.....

I was at Peoria for the game today, was checking out the Mexicutioner warm up in the bullpen, he spotted a 2 or 3 yr old kid asking for a ball, looks up at me and says “can you give this to him,” lobs me the ball, at which point I loped away to the beer stand with the ball, howls of anguish from the poor toddler ringing in my ears. I kid, I kid, I gave the boy the ball. The Mexicutioner is a bastard on the mound, but he’s great with the childrens. Other observations: Rusty Kuntz is a skinny, lanky sob, and Coco and Teabag are banging the ball.

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Mar 23, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

wow thats cool

You had me for a minute, I was thinking: “whoa, this guy has balls”, but then saw the joke….cool story, though

by I need more Esteban on Mar 24, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

It was cool.....

I was getting burnt to a (Coco) crisp, and I told my wife I wanted to hang on to see Soria pitch, we were in the RF lawn area so I couldn’t see who was warming up. They brought in Phillips, so I thought, screw this, I’m going to waltz over there and watch Soria’s bullpen work. He was trying to talk with this chubby little kid, who was basically holding up 2 fingers and waving at Soria…..so he tossed me the ball. It was pretty sweet. Even better than the time I had a airplane seat next to the guy who played Horseshack on Welcome Back Kotter.

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Mar 24, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

haha... I was Ron Pallilo (I think) talk once

he was really bitter

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary to Driveline Mechanics and elsewhere since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 24, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

It's weird

The other day, at least according to Ryan Lfbvr on the radio, the Royals had the pitchers totally turned off and they couldn’t swing when at bat. Today, I guess they were swinging because I heard Davies hit for an RBI. Why and why?

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on Mar 23, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions