José Valverde
From BR Bullpen
José Rafael Valverde (Papa Grande)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 254 lb.
- Born March 24, 1978 in San Pedro de Macoris, D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
During the course of the 2009 season, it was revealed that pitcher José Valverde is a year and a half older than previously thought.
Valverde has had success as a closer for three different teams. He saved 47 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007, leading the National League that season, then in 2008 had 44 saves for the Houston Astros, once again leading the league. After a couple of 20+-save seasons, one with the Astros in 2009, and a second for the Detroit Tigers in 2010, he had probably his best year for the Tigers in 2011. When he made the 500th appearance of his career on August 27th, he picked up the save against the Minnesota Twins to confirm Justin Verlander as the major leagues' first 20-game winner of the year. That gave him a perfect 39 saves in 39 opportunities on the year, a league-leading total - and combined with a successful save in his last opportunity the previous season, 40 consecutive converted save, tying Dennis Eckersley for the second-longest such streak in American League history. He picked up his 40th save of the year against the Kansas City Royals, becoming only the second pitcher in team history to reach the mark, after Todd Jones. He was named to the All-Star team that season for the third time in his career, having previously been part of the National League squad in 2007 and pitching for the junior circuit in 2010. He finished the season with a perfect record of 49 saves in 49 opportunities, leading the league in both saves and games pitched, then saved two more games as the Tigers upset the New York Yankees in the Division Series, although they did not come by easily. In the ALCS against the Texas Rangers, he was charged with a loss in Game Four, when he gave up 4 runs in the 11th inning on Nelson Cruz's grand slam. He won the Rolaids Relief Award for the second time, having been so honored with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007.
Valverde has an unusual motion when pitching from the stretch, as he appears to come to a set position twice in the course of pitching. He first sets his hands at waist level, then begins a circular motion with his arms that brings him to a second set position above the letters, after which he starts his motion towards home plate. As he does this on every pitch, umpires do not consider that it constitutes a balk; only the second pause is considered his set position.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time All-Star (2007, 2010 & 2011)
- 2-time Rolaids Relief Award Winner (2007/NL & 2011/AL)
- AL Games Pitched Leader (2011)
- 3-time League Saves Leader (2007/NL, 2008/NL & 2011/AL)
- 30 Saves Seasons: 3 (2007, 2008 & 2011)
- 40 Saves Seasons: 3 (2007, 2008 & 2011)
