Los Angeles Angels History: Francisco Rodriguez Sets Save Record

It is strange to think that the single season save record had been set in 1990 by Bobby Thigpen, especially as closers did not have that same level of usage as they do these days. On this day in 2008, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Francisco Rodriguez set the single season saves record.

These days, it is not out of the ordinary to see a closer reach the 50 save plateau. However, even as the role of the closer shifted, and they would appear in virtually any game where the team had a lead heading into the ninth, there was one thing that had not changed since 1990. Bobby Thigpen, who only had 54 more saves in the Majors after that season, remained the single season record holder with 57 saves.

That changed on this day in 2008. Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez, who had burst into prominence during the 2002 postseason, Was seemingly notching a save every night. Still, that record set by Thigpen seemed as though it would be difficult to reach. However, Rodriguez took the record for himself, closing out the Angels 5-2 victory over the Mariners.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

It was not the most dominating of saves for Rodriguez. He was tiring as the season wore on, as the Angels rode his right arm to the postseason. He began the inning by allowing a double to Miguel Cairo and walking Luis Valbuena, bringing up Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro grounded into a force, and promptly stole second. However, Rodriguez reached down and struck out the next two batters, notching his 58th save of the year.

He would finish the year with 62 saves, extending his record and becoming the only pitcher in baseball history to reach the 60 save plateau. His record has not been seriously threatened at this point, although it may just be a matter of time. However, given how cautious teams are with pitchers, and their attempts to not have a reliever pitch three or four days in a row, that mark could last for a while.

Next: Braves All Time 25 Man Roster

The Los Angeles Angels rode Francisco Rodriguez as far as they could in 2008. That led to a new Major League record for saves in a single season.