Red Sox History: The unsung hero from every pennant-winning team
By Daniel Fox
2013: Junichi Tazawa
Arguably the most famous star of the 2013 Red Sox was Koji Uehara. After taking over the closer’s role in June, Uehara allowed just two runs in his last 44 innings and converted all seven save opportunities during their postseason run. Yet as great as Uehara was, his performance would have gone for naught if it wasn’t for the heroics of Junichi Tazawa.
Tazawa had established himself as a trusted reliever the year prior when he had a 1.43 ERA over 44.0 innings. This came after disappointing 2010 and 2011 seasons that were derailed by Tommy John surgery. In 2013, he proved he was more than a feel-good story, posting a 3.16 ERA and striking out over a batter an inning.
Tazawa’s performance in October, however, is what will make him remembered forever in Boston. He allowed just one run over 7.1 superb innings, the perfect set-up man in front of Uehara.
His signature moment came in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Tigers. The game was a classic pitcher’s duel between Justin Verlander and John Lackey. Neither team had scored going into the seventh inning before Mike Napoli launched a fly ball into deep left field.
The Tigers threatened to strike right back in the eighth inning, putting runners on the corners with one out. Up came two-time defending MVP Miguel Cabrera, and in came Tazawa.
Tazawa absolutely schooled Cabrera, blowing three fastballs by the reigning Triple Crown winner and striking him out on four pitches. Tazawa gave way to Uehara, who struck out Prince Fielder to escape the jam. Tazawa would pitch three more years in Boston, yet his strikeout of Cabrera was undoubtedly his greatest achievement.