Boston Red Sox’s reliever Kenley Jensen created history in the game against the Atlanta Braves, and here’s all you need to know.
Kenley Jansen, the closer for the Boston Red Sox, became just the eighth pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball to record 400 saves on Wednesday. The 35-year-old closer for the Red Sox recorded his ninth save of the season against the Braves, his former team, and in the process reached the 400-save plateau for his career in Major League Baseball, which spans 14 seasons. Jansen was the winning pitcher for the Red Sox in their 5–2 victory over the Braves. In the ninth inning, he only allowed one hit and struck out one batter.
Jansen pitched with a little bit of extra velocity tonight, most likely because he was aware of the situation and was playing against the baseball team he had previously played for. Jansen is just beginning his first season as a pitcher for the Red Sox. Prior to that, he had spent the previous season pitching for the Braves and the previous 12 seasons serving as the Dodgers’ closer.
Despite the fact that he has not spent very much time in Boston, the veteran closer has earned the respect of Martinez, who is widely considered to be the most renowned pitcher in the franchise’s history.
Jansen’s three hardest pitches on the evening clocked in at 98.7 mph, 98.5 mph, and 98.4 mph. Since the beginning of the 2016 season, those three pitches were the quickest ones he’s thrown in the last seven years.
Kenley Jansen was not actually drafted into Major League Baseball (MLB). Instead, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004.
On September 30th, 1987, Jansen was born in Willemstad, which is located on the island of Curacao. He grew up playing baseball on the small Caribbean island and was signed by the Dodgers as a catcher. However, it was his skills as a pitcher that caught the attention of scouts, and he was converted to a pitcher in 2009.
Jansen quickly rose through the ranks of the Dodgers minor league system, and made his MLB debut in 2010 as a relief pitcher. In his rookie season, Jansen pitched in 25 games, with a 1-0 record and a 0.67 ERA. In that same year, he recorded his first save in Major League Baseball.
Over the next few seasons, Jansen established himself as one of the top relief pitchers in baseball. He was named to the National League All-Star team in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and was a key member of the Dodgers team that reached the World Series in 2017 and 2018.
Jansen is known for his dominant fastball, which can reach speeds of up to 98 miles per hour, as well as his devastating cutter. He has also been praised for his mental toughness and his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations.
In addition to his success in the MLB, Jansen has also represented the Netherlands in international competition. He pitched for the Dutch national team in both the 2011 Baseball World Cup and the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He was also a member of the Dutch team that won the gold medal at the 2011 Baseball World Cup.
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