Detroit Tigers: Why Jose Valverdes' First Blown Save May Be a Good Thing

After a hard fought game last night in the revamped Kauffman Stadium, the Tigers were ready to start the season 2-0. The game showcased the stuff  of first year Tiger Max Scherzer has in him, pitching six innings and only allowing one hit. But the Tigers bats couldn't get more than one run, extra innings ensued. After a runner was stranded on third base for both teams in the 10th, no runs were scored. All tied up 1-1 going into the 11th inning, Carlos Guillen hit a single that scored pinch runner Don Kelly from second base to take a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the inning.

But like too many other times, the thorn in Detroit's back that is the KC Royals, went on to win the game because of an error. After a lead-off home run by KC to tie the game, Royals future superstar, Billy Butler singled to get the game winning run on base, he was replaced by Willie Bloomquist to run for the speed impaired first baseman. Next was Royals center fielder Rick Ankiel. He doubled to deep right, but on the relay throw to stop the base runner from scoring, rookie second baseman, Scott Sizemore couldn't handle the throw, thus giving Bloomquist a clear route to home plate, and giving the Kansas City Royals the win. Hard loss to take, but was it a good thing? For the team, not so much. But for Closer Jose Valverde, maybe.

Is it just me, or did the new Detroit Tigers closer come into the season a little big headed? Even for a guy who has had success as a closer, it just seemed that maybe he set the bar a bit too high. By now i'm sure most of you have read the infamous quote Mr. Valverde dropped on Tigers fans anxious ears. And I would go as far as saying that a lot of you, in anticipation of the season to start with high hopes on the season ending outcome, believe him. Nothing wrong with that, i'm often guilty of falling for it too, usually right before the season starts and i'm too excited to even think right. For those of you who haven't heard the interview, here's a few pieces of it.

“I can do maybe 74 saves,” Valverde said. “This is a good team here. I know I can do more than 50 saves with this club.”

The best season Valverde had was in 2007, his final season as a Arizona Diamondback. He finished with 47 saves, and a 2.66 ERA to go along with it. Ever since then he has been a great closer, though his earned run average has been up and down over the previous two seasons, it has been nothing to get worried about. 2008 he came back and had a 44 save season as a Houston Astro, and a great start to the 2009 season before going down with an injury that took him out for most of the second half of the year, and finished with 25 saves and a respectable 2.33 ERA.

Valverde went one to say, “And to save 74 games and wear No. 74 would be awesome"

Yes, “Papa Grande”, it would be awesome. Throw the jersey number out, just the 74 saves would be amazing, could you imagine? The things that would go along with it would be brilliant enough. With 74 saves, the first thing that would come is the playoffs, a great winning percentage, MLB history, and possibly, a considered "unbeatable" record. On that note, I know my Detroit Tigers fans. Never mind the records, history, and winning percentage. Playoffs is the only word that matters. 

After a heartbreaking defeat in the 2006 world series to the St. Louis Cardinals, and a disappointing 2007, the Tigers went and had a huge off-season. The Tigers, who were thought to be a team so close to winning it all made major moves that made owner Mike Ilitch open his checkbook. They started out by trading promising pitching prospect and spot starter Jair Jurrjens to the Atlanta Braves for SS Edgar Renteria, then, pulling off one of the sneakiest moves in modern baseball history acquired Miguel Cabrera, and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins, for super prospects Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. The tigers lineup looked unbeatable and were supposed to score over thousand runs and be the favorites to win the World Series, only to finish last place in the Central Division, had an average at best 821 runs, and even worse, a 74 win season. I won't even put any detail into how last season ended.

But enough history right? Its safe to put the tissues and tears away, for those who still feel the pain that has been the last two seasons. The reason I believe Valverde blowing his first save is a good thing, is because he needed it. Don't get me wrong, I love the cockiness and big headed approach, a closer must have this attitude. A mean, i'm going to beat you no matter what , and I know you can't touch this attitude. It's a closers job to not allow runs in late part of the game. See where i'm getting?

Lets just face it now, pitchers are going to have a bad day, hitters are as well, and I fully believe that that's all it was for the newly acquired closer. Maybe a small case of the jitters. Kansas City's Alberto Callaspo's home run in the 11th inning to tie the game hurt, he had a good at-bat, it happens. Nonetheless, I believe it humbled him a bit. Granted, it was his fault alone, Scott Sizemore couldn't handle the ball on a relay throw later in inning, and thus allowed the winning run to score. In my opinion, I think this loss is going to motivate him, he will remember it on the basic fact that it was his first save opportunity as a Tiger.

Tigers catcher Alex Avila went on to say. “Valverde has pretty much been automatic, that happens. That’s part of the game. Callaspo laid off some really good pitches and had a great at-bat and was able to get hold of one and put it in the right spot in the ballpark. The ball wasn’t really carrying today, but that corner, from Miggy’s home run, it was.”

Agreed, maybe a little unlucky, but still an unfortunate loss. I expect a much stronger effort from Valverde through out the season. Call me crazy, but I fully believe this one will leave a mark on him for the remainder of the year. He's the type of guy who, instead of getting down on himself, fuels himself and makes himself even better for it. No crying for Papa Grande, after all it is only one game.

Thus is why I expect him to finish with, around the number on his real jersey in saves, about 46. But this is baseball, America's game, and who knows what can happen? After all, that is why we love the game so much and keep coming back year after year, hoping to having a chance for something above the game. So to hell with it, if 74 saves is what he believes he can get, then here's to getting 74 saves Tiger fans, cheers!