Aug 14, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Seth Smith (7) watches the ball go into the bullpen for a home run by Boston Red Sox first baseman Travis Shaw (not pictured) during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox have had some very good bullpen pitchers over the years and this will be a ranking of the notable ones.
The Boston Red Sox have had their share of relief pitchers through the years that have run the baseball gamut from spectacular to great to mediocre and ending up with: “Lord – take me now so I don’t have to watch this.” When they trudged in I hid under the blankets for fifteen minutes or – if at the game – went to the restroom and listened for the moaning of despair and expletives from the stands.
In baseball today, there are no longer “relief pitchers,” but have various roles such as closer, set-up, bridge and whatever else can be attached to a job description that formerly was for those not talented enough to start. But – to quote Dylan – “The Times They Are A-Changing.”
The Red Sox do have a historical note in the world of relief pitching – the greatest single performance in the annuals of relief and that was a perfect game. Huh? Is Rick off his meds? No, No, Nanette – Babe Ruth was a rather volatile player and was pitching for Boston in a game in 1917 and walked the first batter. Ruth got tossed when he discussed the situation a bit vehemently with the umpire. Eddie Shore relieved Ruth, the runner was nabbed stealing, and Shore retired the next 26.
A benchmark for relievers is the save. I will save (pun intended) the illustrious history of the save so that the reader can examine on that notoriously dependable baseball source – Wiki. The save, therefore, is somewhat of a misleading stat when taking into the context of the times. Apparently in baseball today, one is awarded a save for warming up with clean underwear – not sure who inspects.
The context of the times is of interest. The 1903 team had six pitchers and five of them won all 91 games. The save total was four. The 1912 championship team had five saves. By 1946, that total was up to 20 saves and in 2013 – our latest success – the save total was 33. But it is not all about the save, as some real quality bullpen operatives had just a few.
There is not a specific rubric for me to follow. I will certainly give some extra kudos when a serious work of baseball art emanates from a spectacular season and that usually has a WS banner attached. Longevity is important as is the body of baseball work in Boston, and this is purely subjective since the rankings could certainly shift from reader to reader.
The shelf life of a reliever is similar to a gallon of milk (are they liters yet?) that is sitting in the sun on a hot July day. The burn out factor on this type of duty has an extensive list of a few years and gone.
So this is my own top twenty-one. I also will toss in a few honorable mentions, but I will begin with the list of infamy.
John Wasdin (19-16, 4.66) was incapable in any role you placed him in. The nickname “Way Back” is appropriate when considering some of the balls hit off him.
Byung-Hyun Kim (10-6, 3.72). Kim closed for a bit and registered 16 saves. When I first saw Kim pitch I thought I was watching woman’s softball until I realized they threw harder. The Yankees lit this guy up in the World Series.
Julian Tavarez (12-16, 4.94) Tavarez would make Freddie Kruger look like Sexiest Man of the Year. This Danny Trejo look-a-like also had the disposition of a viper.
Heathcliff Slocumb (5-10, 4.02). Heathcliff had 48 saves for the Red Sox and I cannot recall one of them. Slocumb was a slump breaker for any batter in the hitting doldrums. Seattle gave us Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek for Heathcliff – yes, we do win some trades.
Eric Gagne (2-2, 6.75) was supposed to solidify the bullpen for a stretch run in 2007. The Red Sox actually put the former star reliever on the playoff roster and he did manage a clean inning against the Rockies in the WS. A total disaster.
Skip Lockwood (3-1, 5.32) was a local kid who signed as a free agent. One year and done. Lockwood had nothing left and somehow managed to win three games. Amazing.
El Guapo has made Pablo Sandoval look svelte, but he could pitch. Did an excellent job as a set-up man with a hard sinker. Done at age 31 when his arm just went dead. Hung around the minors for several years, but never captured the magic again. A huge (pun intended) fan favorite.
Boston Stats (1969-78): 94-68 W/L, 321 G (167 GS), 1503.1 IP, 1627 H, 448 BB, 578 K, 3.64 ERA, WHIP 1.38, 8 SV.
Reputation as a real flake, but those who saw “Spaceman” pitch realized he was a very good pitcher. Lee’s first four seasons were almost strictly bullpen (116 games), but then he moved into the rotation for a string of productive seasons. Occasionally Lee would return to the bullpen and could best be described as a “crafty lefty” with his ability to move the ball around. Not overpowering.
Boston Stats (1957-62): 39-35 W/L, 286 G (28 GS), 642.2 IP, 655 H, 245 BB, 342 K, 4.08 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 48 SV.
Fornieles – a right-hander – was essentially the closer on some awful Red Sox teams. Was actually an All-Star in 1961 thanks to an awful team and the game – or one of them – being played in Boston.
There is only one reason Wyatt makes the list -1967. Wyatt was the closer with 20 saves and a 10-7 record for the “Impossible Dream” Red Sox. A hard-throwing right-hander with a rather pedestrian career, but he’ll get props from me for ’67.
Boston Stats (1995-2011): 186-168 W/L, 590 G (430 GS), 3006 IP, 2931 H, 1095 BB, 2046 K, 4.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 22 SV.
Ranked low on my list since Wakefield was primarily a starter, but in parts of his Boston career Wake would start, close, set-up and pitch long innings out of the bullpen. Not as noted as Kinder or Stanley in that role, but still dependable.
Boston Stats (1978-82): 21-12 W/L, 231 G (1 GS), 411 IP, 409 H, 98 BB, 217 K, 2.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 40 SV.
A prototypical situational left-hander who played 17 seasons. Not overpowering, but could hit location and change speeds. Could close when necessary and did rather well when he took over that role in 1980. Had only two blown saves in 26 chances. Made the All-Star team.
Boston Stats (1974-75, 1978-80): 30-29 W/L, 206 G (29 GS), 547.1 IP, 517 H, 184 BB, 305 K, 3.55 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 41 SV.
A player often overlooked, but very dependable in any role. Would make an occasional start since he originally was a starter with the Royals. The right-hander was part of the 1975 team and did lose a game in the WS that season.
Boston Stats (2011-14): 13-12 W/L, 157 G (12 GS), 178.1 IP, 155 H, 91 BB, 218 K, 3.79 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 0 SV.
Sometimes a pitcher finds a comfortable spot and that was Miller. When the Red Sox pushed him into the bullpen it was a startling career makeover. A devastating set-up pitcher who became a fine closer with the Yankees. This may have been the biggest off-season 2014-15 mistake by Boston – not signing free agent Miller.
Timlin could close when necessary, but his focus was on late game support or set-up. Member of 2004 and 2007 championship teams. A well respected professional that closed out an 18-year career in Boston.
Boston Stats (1977-81): 28-19 W/L, 192 G, 335 IP, 318 H, 142 BB, 240 K, 1.37 WHIP, 51 SV.
The first big free agent signing for Boston with a five-year one million dollar deal. Big money back then. His first season in Boston led the AL in saves (31) while pitching 140 innings. That started a road to ruin as Campbell was bothered by persistent arm issues for the rest of his career. “Soup” could mix up his pitches and displayed equally proficient against right and left-hand hitters.
Boston Stats (1996-2000): 25 – 25 W/L, 170 G (59 GS), 495.1 IP, 476 H, 220 BB, 432 K, 1.40 WHIP, 68 SV.
When the Red Sox signed the right-handed Gordon to a contract it was as a starter and a very questionable one (for me) at the time. Gordon was converted to the bullpen in 1998 and had one of the finest years any Sox reliever ever posted finishing up with an AL-leading 46 saves. Gordon was small (5’9”) and could throw quite hard. That 1998 season blew his arm out and he missed all of 1999. Had a few good years closing in the NL.
What were they thinking? High up on the charts for poor trades getting a fast fading Danny Cater in exchange. What a great deal for the Yankees! The left-handed Lyle became a three-time All-Star in New York.
Reardon – a right-hander – was a local guy who signed with Boston after establishing himself as one of the premier relievers in the AL. A three-year deal for six million dollars. A hard thrower with a nice cutter. Reardon was an All-Star in 1991.
Prototypical big, hard-throwing bullpen closer. Brought to Boston via a trade with the Cubs and had 50 saves, but also 14 blown saves. Took a big loss in game two of 1988 ALCS. Traded away in 1990 and led the league in saves three times after the trade. Finished with 478 career saves.
May 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher Keith Foulke walks on the field as part of the 10 year celebration of the 2004 Boston Red Sox before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
Boston Stats (2004-06): 13-9 W/L, 159 G, 178.1 IP, 168 H, 40 BB, 149 K, 1.17 WHIP, 47 SV.
Led the AL in saves with Oakland in 2003 before signing a three-year deal with the Red Sox. Just that one year justifies the contract. What is the price for curse-busting? With Foulke, it was similar to Uehara in that he had a masterful change. Injuries were his downfall. Being a hockey fan was a big plus for Foulke.
Boston Stats (1948-55): 86-52 W/L, 365 G (89 GS), 1142.1 IP, 1086 H, 403 BB, 557 K, 3.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 93 SV.
Did not make it to the majors until he was 31-year-old, but the right-hander made up for lost time as a starter and reliever. Went 23-6 and led AL in shutouts in 1949. Eventually went into the bullpen and Kinder twice led AL in saves.
Boston Stats (1997-2004): 70-55 W/L, 385 G (111 GS), 1037 IP, 1024 H, 312 BB, 673 K, 3.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 85 SV.
Led the AL in saves in 2000. Converted to a starter in a few years and won 21 games. Lowe had a devastating sinker ball. In 2004, it was 3-0 in the playoffs with the win in each close out game of each series. A very underrated pitcher who consistently finished among games started leaders in the NL.
Career Stats (1977-89): 115-97 W/L, 637 G (85 GS), 1707 IP, 1858 H, 471 BB, 693 K, 3.64 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 132 SV.
Loved and hated – often in the same game, but “The Steamer” had a rubber arm and a noted sinker. Could close, set-up, start and go long innings – whatever was needed. In 1982, the total was 168.1 innings all out of the bullpen. In 1983, it was 145.1 innings.
Aug 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) makes a throw to first after get struck by a ball hit by Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. The Red Sox won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
In 1962 “The Monster” led the league in saves, games and terror. The imposing Radatz would have a side-armed fastball and he would demonstrate no hesitation in determining that he was master of the inside corner. In 123.2 innings Radatz struck out 144. Radatz led all AL relievers in FIP, WAR, K/9 and innings pitched.
In 1963, Radatz finished with a 15-6 record, a 1.97 and again led relievers in WAR and FIP. The W/L record is indicative of the managerial philosophy of that era. Radatz pitched eight innings in one game, seven in another and multiple innings were the norm and not the exception. The chant for Radatz would usually start as early as the fourth inning.
1964 was the penultimate for Radatz as he appeared 79 games and threw a staggering 157 innings in going 16-9 while leading the AL in saves. The trademark multiple innings remained, as did leadership in most significant statistical categories, including saves.
In 1965, the star faded for Radatz as quickly as it had risen. The fastball lost some of its intimidating velocity and K/9 “shrunk” to 8.76. Other metrics increased dramatically and Radatz lost more games than he won. The only really positive was the light hitting Radatz hit his only MLB home run that season in Kansas City.
After 1965, Radatz hung around MLB until 1969 and never came close to those three magnificent seasons. Radatz remained active in the Boston area often appearing on talk shows until he died a few years ago as the result of a tragic fall.
Signed on as a set-up reliever the soon to be 41-year-old right-hander will return to that role now that Craig Kimbrel has been signed. Koji slowly became the last man standing in the bullpen in 2013 as the Red Sox searched for someone to close out games and responded with a remarkable performance.
In 2015, Koji’s season was viewed as somewhat of a slippage, but he had only two blown saves and continued his ability to keep runners off base. Koji’s three years in Boston have produced a BB/9 of 1.3 while posting an 11.5 K/9. The WHIP is microscopic.
Uehara is signed for the 2016 season and provides some exceptional flexibility for the bullpen. The assumption is Uehara is fully recovered from a broken wrist and with Carson Smith and Junichi Tazawa will provide the dual threat of quality and depth to the bullpen.
Sep 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) holds back relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) after he hit Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (not pictured) with a pitch during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
Boston Stats (2005-11): 23-19 W/L, 396 G (3 GS), 429.1 IP, 322 H, 115 BB, 509 K, 2.33 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 219 SV.
Flamboyant, narcissistic, colorful and a variety of other endearments that should not be mentioned, but just an elite closer while in Boston. A four-time AL All-Star, second in Rookie of the Year in 2006 and a remarkable post-season record. A bulldog personality on the mound for this highly charged and competitive right-hander.
In the post-season, Papelbon was untouchable until that two-out meltdown against the Angels in 2009. Yet his 1.00 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in “When it really counts” is exceptional. Closed out the 2007 Rockies with a strikeout, and, of course, nailing Matt Holiday with a pick-off to end the eighth.
In Boston, his seven seasons produced a 0.6 HR/9, BB/9 of 2.4 and a 10.7 K/9. All time Red Sox saves leader. Noted for his molasses style of slow play on the mound. The lowest point in Boston for me was blowing a lead to Baltimore in the last game of 2011 that cost a pennant.
Papelbon’s style was and is to throw hard and use a cutter and slider judiciously. In his Boston salad days, Papelbon would consistently approach the mid-90s with his fastball and that has now deteriorated about three MPH.
Papelbon left Boston for Philadelphia as a free agent signing a five-year deal in the vicinity of $60 Million. His stay in Philadelphia has been an artistic success with 123 more saves and a continuation of a low WHIP (1.02) and ERA (2.31), but a trade during the season to the Washington Nationals led to a suspension for dusting Manny Machado and a dugout choke fest with Bryce Harper.
Papelbon continues to produce only in the NL. With the Harper incident, there was some discussion of the possibility of a return to Boston, but that was answered with the acquisition of Kimbrel and Smith.
