It's been said the two most scrutinized jobs in Detroit sports belong to the Lions quarterback and Red Wings goaltender. Who could argue? But it's also safe to say the Tigers closer is probably No. 3. None of the Tigers get picked apart more than the closer when he blows a save. Squander a couple of saves in the same week and watch out. Trouble will be brewing.
Just ask Francisco Rodriguez, who was waived by the Tigers last week with $3.3 million remaining on his contract last week.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that Major League Baseball pitching staffs began featuring more specialists and a bigger emphasis was placed on closers.