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The 100 Greatest Angels: #22 Francisco Rodriguez

#22 Francisco Rodriguez, RH RP

Career Stats

In the Summer of 1998, there was a bidding war for a young Venezuelan phenom, all of 16 but throwing 95 MPH darts into the bullseye. Props to the Disney regime for going all the way up to $900,000 to win the bidding war and sign young Francisco Rodriguez. Nearly 4 years to the date of his signing he made his Major League debut, having converted to relieving and, in the thick of a pennant race, standing out like no pitcher in baseball.

It isn't a stretch to imagine the Angels playoff also-rans in 2002 with Al Levine, the pitcher Frankie replaced on the 25-Man roster. With what K-Rod has done subsequently, it isn't hard to imagine recent Oakland teams closing the A.L. West Gaps and taking our two recent division titles as well.

In his three full seasons with the Angels, Frankie has:
...An ERA+ of 140 in 59 games (86 innings) as a set-up man in 2003
...An ERA+ of 252 in 69 games (84 innings) as a setup man and fill-in (12 Saves) closer in 2004
An ERA+ of 157 with 45 Saves in 58 Games (67+ innings) as THE Closer in 2005

And if considering that 2 of those above seasons led to Division titles and one an ALDS victory over the Yankees, there was, of course, Frankie's 2002 postseason.

With almost no scouting reports, the 5 innings major league service gave the other teams no clue as to what lay ahead of them. A 20 year-old with a wicked slider and knee-bending curveball, that's what. Frankie went 5-1 in 11 postseason games, benefiting from being the pitcher of record when the 2002 team's knack for beating starting pitchers and middle relievers kicked in. But his 28 strikeouts in 18+ innings sure helped seal the deal. He also had 3 saves in the 2005 postseason, 2 against the Yankees - including the elimination Game 5 in front of the home town fans, and the next night in Chicago for Game 1 of the ALCS, the only defeat suffered by the White Sox that October.

Frankie's 59 Saves are already 4th all time in Angels history. His 45 Saves led the American League in 2005 and were 2nd place all-time single season among Angel relievers. His 69 appearances in 1994 was 4th most for a single season, with his set-up man Scot Shields setting the record in 2005 with 78.

Among our Top 40 voters, blogger Shredder of the L.A. Seitz Blog and Angel Lifer Brent Carter both voted Frankie All Time Angel #19. Newly appointed L.A. Times Opinion Section Keyboardist Matt Welch held the pre-Chavez Pride of Venezuela in higher esteem, slotting him in at #16 All-Time. By the way, A Halos Heaven congratulations to Mr. Welch for bringing a little Reason to the Opinion section of the Chicago Tribune of Spring Street.

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I remember learning 2 things from Franky in 02
  1.  In those playoffs, he was fearless, filthy, and f@#$@ unhittable.  When he was in, I thought we'd win.  Before or since, I have never seen major league hitters in playoff games shake their heads after at bats as if to say "I can't hit that shit".
  2.  I learned just how good Bonds was and what a joke it was that Jeff Kent was voted MVP over him that one year.  Kent flailed at K-Rods pitches, Bonds wasn't fazed.  I remember him getting out on a ball he hit to Speizio that Scott probably still has a mark on him because of that ball.  In the '02 WS DVD, Bonds has a great quote "I don't care who's pitching, if they pitch it right here, I'm gonna hit it out."  Sadly, he was right.

by thewebb on Feb 5, 2006 9:25 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

One of Scioscia's greatest moves
Was putting Frankie on the postseason roster, then relying on him for crucial 2- or 3-inning stints. Takes stones to trust a rookie, even one as absolutely filthy as that.

by mattwelch on Feb 5, 2006 11:58 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Well....
I love Frankie, because he makes 4 run leads interesting (see: Troy Percival) but can someone, anyone explain to me why, with that great fastball he has, he throws so many curveballs?  He's often behind on the count because he's no Blyleven with the curve and that leads to problems.

by Jim on Feb 5, 2006 10:22 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Well
I guess it's because if he just threw fastballs all the time batters would know what is coming. He's only got three pitches anyway I think (curve, slider and fastball, don't think he has a change), so the less they see of his two deadly pitches the better

by Matt UK on Feb 6, 2006 7:51 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

No
I realize he has to mix it up, but there were times last year that he'd throw like a 80/20 mix of curve and fastball.  He was constantly getting in trouble because his curve wasn't working--all of a sudden there's two runners on base.  I seem to remember Troy Percival doing all right with basically one pitch.

by Jim on Feb 6, 2006 12:06 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough
but he did get 45 saves last year, so it isn't like he did a bad job!

by Matt UK on Feb 6, 2006 4:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Pitch selection
I fully concur. It seemed last year when Frankie had control problems it was because the curve and slider were not working and THEN he would have to groove a fastball and hitters knew it  was coming. Frankie does have an excellent fastball and if he started more batters off with it, I think his walks would go way down. And most hitters are going to take the first pitch anyways.

by Jack Frost on Feb 11, 2006 1:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I AGREE
wondr if Frankie has confidence in throwing the fastball for strikes...

by Rev Halofan on Feb 11, 2006 2:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

you are right..
He seemed to rarely throw his fastball last year.  At the end of the year I wonder if it hurt his arm more to throw fastballs or something or if he just lost confidence in it.  

I suppose in the majors even a 94 MPH fastball if it's straight can get tattooed.  Hopefully he's able to mix more in this year as he gets more control.

by thewebb on Feb 6, 2006 12:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

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