Trevor Rosenthal, one of baseball’s elite closers from last year, has not had great success to begin this season. He is among the worst in the league in opponents’ batting average (.292), whip (.204), and ERA (5.63). Each time the Cardinals call on him to take the rubber, he fills the fans with much unneeded drama, fear, stress, and disappointment as he has hardly been able to shut the door on a win all season. A closer is supposed to relieve us fans from the drama, not add to it!
So without further ado, here are the top five thoughts, (PG thoughts anyways), that cross through every Cardinals fans mind when they see that Trevor Rosenthal has entered the 9th for yet another try at a drama free save.
1. Goodnight!
No, this is not meant in a good way either! When Rosey comes in the game, we are not going to bed because we know we have the game in the bag, but are going to bed because we know that the other team has the game in the bag. Watching Rosenthal close a game is pretty much like watching Groundhog Day, the same thing happens every time! Another blown save!
2. Have the Paramedic on standby.
For us fans who dare watch the end of a Cardinals game, we put ourselves at true risk of cardiac arrest. Watching the ending to a Trevor Rosenthal closed game puts the amount of stress on one’s heart as that of a person jumping out of a crashing helicopter without any parachutes over shark infested water. A little dramatic? Maybe, but not as dramatic as Trevor likes to make his ninth innings…
3. Here Comes Rosenhausen!
For those who remember, the Cardinals had a Rosenthal before they had Rosenthal! His name was Jason Isringhausen who had a very good career as a closer for several teams, but mostly the Cardinals. Like Rosey, Isringhausen entered the 2008 season as one of the top closers in the league. He had 32 saves and an ERA of 2.48 in the previous season, but was not able to maintain that level of success at all in 2008. He ended the 2008 season with 12 saves and a 5.70 ERA. Rosey has not been quite that bad yet, as he does have 14 saves, but the comparison is fair after seeing the complete drop-offs both of these closers have had.
4. I Can Do That!
Watching Rosenthal pitch, makes everyone think they can pitch! So far this year, Rosenthal has not been able to hit the broad side of a barn. For a guy that is making 5.6 million dollars this season, he should be able to at least throw a strike. Right?!
5. Really Matheny? Really?
The only person that can be blamed more for Rosey’s mistakes in the final inning than Rosenthal himself is manager Mike Matheny. I mean really. Why put in a guy who has absolutely struggled to find the strike zone in the game during its most crucial moments? All Matheny is doing is crushing Rosenthal’s confidence as he is under so much pressure to perform because of his lack of performance up to this seasons current point. Come on Mike. It is time to make a change.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love Rosenthal, and I know he has the ability to be one of the best closers in the league. I mean for crying out loud, the guy set the Cardinals all-time single season saves record with 48 saves last year! But for now, it is time for him to take a step out of the closing role, and to reestablish his command at the plate. There is no success at the major league level for a guy who cannot throw strikes. Rosenthal will be fine, and he will eventually figure it out, but Cardinals, please give the fans a break from the drama he puts us through in the ninth. The Cubs being in first place is stressful enough for us as it is!
