DETROIT – Kenley Jansen’s distinguished career appeared to be hanging by a thread after the Tigers got six runs off him May 2 in Anaheim and his ERA for his new team rose to 6.23.
However, after career save No. 468 Saturday night against Detroit, Jansen is 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA and is 21-for-22 in save opportunities.
Jansen’s services weren’t required during the Angels’ 9-5 loss Sunday at Comerica Park. However, the 37-year-old right-hander is on some hot streak headed into the Freeway Series beginning Monday night in Anaheim against his former team, the Dodgers, for whom he saved 350 games and made three of his four All-Star teams.
Jansen has not allowed an earned run in a career-high 20 consecutive appearances dating back to June 16, and he was named the American League’s Reliever of the Month for July – when opponents batted .108 against him and he posted a nearly microscopic 0.35 WHIP.
On being able to dial Jansen’s number in the ninth inning, Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said, “Yeah, I hope we can call on him again and again and again and again. Because he is as good as anybody – obviously, we know that. He’s done nothing but ask for the ball, and it’s nice to give it to him and keep adding to it.”
Jansen trails only Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601) and Lee Smith (478) on baseball’s all-time saves list.
When asked to put into perspective all the milestones he has achieved and those he’s still pursuing, Jansen said, “I think it’s a motivation for me. I feel like doing this so long, it can get boring at times. But it’s about the love of the game. And when you start hearing noise like that, it reminds you of how much you have to keep putting work in, and get better every day because the game can develop, the game can keep getting better. And players nowadays are way better than compared to a few years back.
“You know, I want to stay on point, and sharp, so I can continue to do what I love most. Help the team win ballgames and, of course, those other things that come with it. It’s very special knowing that I’m getting close now to Lee Arthur [Smith], getting close to 500 and those who are the greatest to have ever done it like Lee and Trevor and Mariano.”
Jansen grew up in the Caribbean island nation of Curacao with nary a notion of any of this happening.
“I grew up never thinking I was going to pitch,” said Jansen. “I always thought that I was going to be a catcher. Watching Pudge Rodriguez and Benito Santiago throw down from their knees to second, I got to admire that and started to throw off my knees.
“Next thing you know, I didn’t hit as well. But I’ve got a great arm, and they moved me to catcher.”
Jansen said Dodgers player development director De Jon Watson and farm director Logan White made the call to convert him.
“Those two guys meant a lot in my career,” said Jansen. “I didn’t want to do it, but De Jon talked me into it. And here I am today. Every time I set a record, I get a text from De Jon, who reminds me, ‘You didn’t want to do it!’
“But he felt that in two years, I would be in the Major Leagues, and in less than a year I was there. That was awesome.”
The big change occurred in 2009. He was batting .185 with no extra-base hits for Triple-A Albuquerque and sent to Single-A Inland Empire to begin learning how to pitch as a reliever. He caught on fast, going a combined 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 2010 for Inland Empire and Double-A Chattanooga. The Dodgers called him up and he had an 0.67 ERA and four saves in 25 games. He began 2011 in the Minors, but was quickly called up to the Majors for good, and by 2012 he was the closer.
“The rest was history,” said Jansen. “It went so quick.”
Jansen credited Inland Empire pitching coach Charlie Hough, whom he calls “the Godfather” for getting him through the transition “by bringing the fun into it.” Hough would put photos of great pitchers such as Nolan Ryan on the wall to motivate him.
What has been the main ingredient to Jansen’s long-term success on the mound?
“I think study,” said Jansen. “I study hitters. Watch tape, keep an open mind and get better. And before Mariano retired, I remember the late, great Kenny Howell [former Dodgers pitching coach], God rest his soul. I would watch Mariano with him because I had that cutter [like Rivera], and he wanted me to watch how Mariano controlled the game, how he went against hitters.
“See what works for you and what doesn’t work for you. And, today, I’m still doing the same thing.”