Koji retires

[Station 13]

We all remember Koji for 2013. It is perhaps the single greatest season for a reliever all time. 101 strikeouts to 9 walks, 2 are intentional.

 

At one point Retires 37 consecutive batters. That's a perfect and half game pitch or close to.

 

Happy retirement and thank you for 4 great season in Boston.

Edited May 21, 2019 by Station 13

[vegasbob]

At Koji's best, he was the GOAT. Rivera had a longer career but the Sox seemed able to beat him when needed.

[mvp 78]

Koji pitched better in 2013 than Eck did in his MVP season of 1992.

 

Eck's 1990 season may be the greatest relief season of all time.

[Maxbialystock]

Koji was a wonder in 2013. As I said elsewhere, he had three great strengths: command of his pitches, a devastating splitter, and the guts of a cat burgler to keep throwing that slow fast ball of his. Plus, unlike 90% of all MLB pitchers, he was supremely joyful every single time he pitched well. It was contagious.

[YastrzemskI]

I rewatch this sometimes. It never gets old.

 

[Kimmi]

The best part about Koji closing is that he did not mess around. No 9th inning drama.

 

I wish him the best.

[Station 13]

The best part about Koji closing is that he did not mess around. No 9th inning drama.

 

I wish him the best.

 

Come into a game and throw 10 pitches and the game is quickly over. Appreciate that especially baseball can be nerve wrecking.

[Kimmi]

Come into a game and throw 10 pitches and the game is quickly over. Appreciate that especially baseball can be nerve wrecking.

 

Yup. Both Papelbon and Kimbrel, while very good, created far too much drama at times for my liking.

 

My nerves can't take it. LOL

[Dojji]

 

He made himself a legend in Boston in very short order. Amazing reliever. Wish him well in whatever he does next.

 

Yup. Both Papelbon and Kimbrel, while very good, created far too much drama at times for my liking.

 

My nerves can't take it. LOL

 

 

Oh Kimmy.... ANY closer is going to create drama. That's one of the secrets of the closer's position -- it creates drama, and the ones that can handle drama well are the ones that last in the role.

 

Even Uehara had his down moments. He didn't give up walks but he did get launched from time to time because of that fastball of his.

 

As for Papelbon, he was another one with amazing command. Strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 5 to 1. And he was automatic in the playoffs for the first few years of his career, as he lost his fastball hitters did catch up with him a bit but it was never about drama with Papelbon, it was about money.

Edited May 24, 2019 by Dojji

[Kimmi]

Oh Kimmy.... ANY closer is going to create drama. That's one of the secrets of the closer's position -- it creates drama, and the ones that can handle drama well are the ones that last in the role.

 

Even Uehara had his down moments. He didn't give up walks but he did get launched from time to time because of that fastball of his.

 

As for Papelbon, he was another one with amazing command. Strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 5 to 1. And he was automatic in the playoffs for the first few years of his career, as he lost his fastball hitters did catch up with him a bit but it was never about drama with Papelbon, it was about money.

 

I'm not trying to knock either Papelbon or Kimbrel. But Koji did not create drama like either one of them did. Every reliever is going to have a down moment now and then. Koji not walking people is exactly what I'm talking about. He came into the game and took care of business. Game over.

[Bellhorn04]

I agree with Dojji that 2013 Koji was lightning in a bottle. He was superhuman that year, but he could not do that consistently, nor could anyone.

[notin]

I agree with Dojji that 2013 Koji was lightning in a bottle. He was superhuman that year, but he could not do that consistently, nor could anyone.

 

Well, he was 38 years old when we hit him

[Bellhorn04]

Well, he was 38 years old when we hit him

 

That's true, but his age 38 season was better than his age 34-37 seasons, too.

[notin]

That's true, but his age 38 season was better than his age 34-37 seasons, too.

 

His age 38 season was better than nearly anyone’s 34-37 seasons.

 

But still, like with Henry, the stats should’ve been in decline. And relatively speaking, a 38yo closer is older than a 70yo owner...

Edited May 25, 2019 by notin

[moonslav59]

I agree with Dojji that 2013 Koji was lightning in a bottle. He was superhuman that year, but he could not do that consistently, nor could anyone.

 

True, but he had a few excellent seasons not named 2013.

[S5Dewey]

Koji is the Gold Standard for Sox fans just as Miriano is the Gold Standard for Yankees fans. When Koji came into the game it was OVER! No drama, just strikes and outs.

 

Every Red SOX reliever in the future will be compared to Koji and come up short.

[Bellhorn04]

True, but he had a few excellent seasons not named 2013.

 

He did have some very good to excellent seasons.

 

But 2013 was a freak.

[Bellhorn04]

Koji is the Gold Standard for Sox fans just as Miriano is the Gold Standard for Yankees fans. When Koji came into the game it was OVER! No drama, just strikes and outs.

 

Every Red SOX reliever in the future will be compared to Koji and come up short.

 

It seems I am the devil's advocate in this thread.

 

But there's no comparison between Koji and Rivera.

 

Rivera did it year after year for 2 damn decades.

[mvp 78]

It seems I am the devil's advocate in this thread.

 

But there's no comparison between Koji and Rivera.

 

Rivera did it year after year for 2 damn decades.

Mariano is the GOAT.

[notin]

It seems I am the devil's advocate in this thread.

 

But there's no comparison between Koji and Rivera.

 

Rivera did it year after year for 2 damn decades.

 

He really didn’t compare them, but rather said the 2013 Koji gave him the same level of confidence that Yankee fans got from Rivera...

[Bellhorn04]

He really didn’t compare them, but rather said the 2013 Koji gave him the same level of confidence that Yankee fans got from Rivera...

 

I can't see 2013 in his post.

[S5Dewey]

I can't see 2013 in his post.

 

Maybe I need to clarify my post. I wasn't in any way comparing Koji and Mariano. I was referring to how these two relievers will be remembered by their own team's fans.

[dgalehouse]

Koji will always be remembered as a big part of that magical 2013 , Boston Strong , championship team . A team on a mission. Aside from that , he was a consistently fine reliever for a number of years . His career numbers are excellent.

[Bellhorn04]

Koji was fantastic, not trying to knock him at all.

 

But I hold 2004 Foulke and 2007 Papelbon in equally high regard. They all got the job done in their own way.

[bertha]

Like the same word last this thread "Happy retirement and thank you for 4 great season in Boston"

[moonslav59]

Koji was fantastic, not trying to knock him at all.

 

But I hold 2004 Foulke and 2007 Papelbon in equally high regard. They all got the job done in their own way.

 

They did.

 

Koji's numbers were second to none, for what that's worth.