ARLINGTON, Texas » On a team that’s going nowhere fast, reliever Brandon League has been one of the few bright spots for the Seattle Mariners.
In 51 appearances, the 28-year-old Saint Louis School product is 1-4 with a 2.79 ERA with 30 saves in 34 opportunities as Seattle’s closer.
His most recent save came on Aug. 15 against Toronto as he retired the final three batters of a 6-5 win over the Blue Jays.
That performance epitomized what kind of closer he has been for much of the season. But League hasn’t had another save opportunity since as the Mariners find themselves mired in the cellar of the AL West.
"League’s done fantastic for us. His mind-set, his toughness and composure out there is a separator for him. He has great stuff," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. "You’re talking about a guy who has a great deal of experience in the bullpen. He’s gained so much experience this year, having been our closer all year long. He has a great feel for what he needs to do out there."
One of the high points for the 6-foot-2 closer came in July when he played in his first MLB All-Star Game.
"It was definitely something I’ll remember and cherish the rest of my career. Once you get a taste of it, you want it more," League said.
That trip to Phoenix was the best of times, but the Mariners’ 17-game losing streak in July was by far the worst.
However, League still managed to find a silver lining through his club’s struggles.
"I’ve never been part of that before," League conceded. "That’s how you get better, experience the lows of the lows. It can only go up from there. That’s when you learn from your mistakes. Being at this level, it’s just how fast you can make that adjustment to get out of that funk."
The 2011 season marks his first as a big league closer. While it might be a new role, it is something he has dreamed about since he’s been pitching.
"My goal coming into the big leagues as a bullpen guy was to one day close. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that the Mariners gave me this year, to give me the ball in the ninth," League said. "I did what I could with the opportunity."
He is now in his third season with Seattle after coming over from Toronto in December 2009. League made his big league debut with the Blue Jays in September 2004 and was caught off guard by the trade.
"I had no idea," League said. "I was living in Hawaii at the time and going about my offseason workouts. I got a phone call from the GM in Toronto. I thought that was kind of odd. I was sorry to leave the Blue Jays and my teammates there, a great bunch of guys. But I viewed it as a better opportunity."
Wedge is now the third different manager League has had in Seattle but the first to give him a shot at closing.
"Eric’s my fifth manager in the big leagues now," League said. "Of all the managers I’ve had I like Wedge the best. I like his approach and the way he handles his business."
As one of three Hawaii products currently in the show, being a big leaguer from the Aloha State is something he takes pride in.
"You try to do your best to represent your hometown. Being from Hawaii, it’s a small group who’s in pro sports," League said. "It just goes to show the rest of the U.S. that there are good athletes who come out of Hawaii. We might not have the exposure that other states do, but we’ve done all right."
