Posnanski: Glen Perkins and the Art of the Save

[Parker Hageman]

This is an excellent must-read by Joe Posnanski on Glen Perkins and his closer role.

 

Here's a sampling:

 

He’s sabermetrically inclined -- he loves breaking down the game to its numbers --and he’s also someone who thinks a lot about how players react emotionally. I asked him how he likes being a closer, and he gave a great answer. He said that, on the one hand, he believes that the best relievers should be used in highest-leverage situations, whatever inning that happens to be. If the bases are loaded in the sixth, that might be the most important batter of the game, and the best reliever should be out there.

On the other hand, he has come to find that there’s something about the closer that teammates respond to.

“I’ve come to see what it’s like to be in that role,” he says. “You really give everybody confidence-- the coaching staff, the players, the guys in the bullpen - if they know that if you can get a lead in the ninth inning, you will win the game. It does a lot for the guys. Last year, I was in the seventh inning, eighth inning, getting out of jams, and that was really exciting and that’s obviously really important. But the, if you aren’t in the game, if you aren’t on the team, you don’t see what closers mean to teammates. You do need to get outs in the seventh and eighth. But you need to get them in the ninth too.”

 

Good stuff. Read the whole damn thing.

[Jim Crikket]

I really love Posnanski's writing and Perk did a nice job of taking us through his thoughts on the mound. Good stuff indeed.

[JB_Iowa]

Thanks for the link. Posnanski is such a good writer. I don't always agree with his thinking but he always pens an interesting column plus his columns are always thought-provoking. And he does seem to love the Twins.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Posnanski is one of my favorite writers. Great piece.

[Parker Hageman]

Thanks for the link. Posnanski is such a good writer... And he does seem to love the Twins.

 

Yes, he certainly has a thing for Ron Gardenhire:

 

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-annual-gardy-rant.html

[Alex]

Thanks for the link. Posnanski is such a good writer... And he does seem to love the Twins.

 

Yes, he certainly has a thing for Ron Gardenhire:

 

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-annual-gardy-rant.html

 

Now, the Gardy article was one surreal read two years later.

 

Also, one of the last comments was how great the talent in the minors were.

 

All this at what would soon become the crashing and burning of two seasons for the team.

[John Bonnes]

I especially like how he talks about reading the batter and reacting to him. Seeing if he's "cheating" on his swing a little, how his timing is, what it is he's trying to do, what he's frustrated by. It shows he's being present and a confidence that allows him to work outside himself, be aware of his opponent.

[ashbury]

I especially like how he talks about reading the batter and reacting to him. Seeing if he's "cheating" on his swing a little, how his timing is, what it is he's trying to do, what he's frustrated by. It shows he's being present and a confidence that allows him to work outside himself, be aware of his opponent.

 

One of my frustrations, the few times I've gotten to speak with players or ex-players, is how un-introspective they seem to be. I once thought a good question for a panel of ex-ballplayers (average players, not stars) would be "what was the opponents' book against you?" - the two times I ever tried that question, both times I got "don't walk him, heh heh heh". Funny answer, not very illuminating. Perkins sounds like someone I would like chatting with.