Hader hits rare milestone with save against former club
When Josh Hader threw a 97 mph fastball past Owen Miller for the final out of the Astros’ win over the Brewers on Friday night, he was unaware he had realized a feat achieved by just 18 pitchers before him.
It was a text message from a friend, Hader said, that told him of the significance of his latest save. Hader became the 19th pitcher in MLB history to record a save against all 30 franchises in the league.
“I think it’s really cool,” Hader said Saturday afternoon. “Especially just how I came up doing multiple innings and as a middle reliever, and being able to finally transition to being a full-time closer, it’s something that you look forward to. Obviously, growing up you watch the great closers. So to be kind of — I wouldn’t even say close to them — but to be able to do something like that, it’s pretty cool.”
Evolution of the closer role and the introduction of interleague play — and now a balanced schedule — makes this a relatively modern milestone. Four pitchers who achieved it prior to Hader remain active: Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman and Edwin Díaz.
The others: Rick Aguilera, Armando Benitez, Brian Fuentes, Kevin Gregg, LaTroy Hawkins, Jason Isringhausen, José Mesa, Jonathan Papelbon, Rafael Soriano, Huston Street, Ugueth Urbina, José Valverde and Bob Wickman, according to MLB research.
That Hader completed it against Milwaukee is both sensible and serendipitous. The left-hander spent his first five-plus major league seasons with the Brewers, recording his first 125 career saves with them, and had only faced his former team twice before Friday. Both outings occurred in non-save situations for the Padres last season.
“To kind of seal the deal (against) the Brew Crew, it’s bittersweet, I guess you could say,” Hader said. “But it’s kind of funny how it all works out.”
That it unfolded with the Astros adds to the irony.
Hader, drafted in 2012 by the Orioles, spent two years in Houston’s minorleague system before the Astros traded him to the Brewers in a seven-player deal in 2015. Hader returned to the Astros on a five-year, $95 million deal in January, reflecting his development into one of baseball’s most dominant closers.
Hader’s first month as an Astro was surprising. He posted a 6.39 ERA in 13 outings through April 30, with two saves in three chances. In his last six outings, Hader has allowed one run and two hits and struck out 10 batters over 7 1⁄3 innings. Four of those outings were saves.
Friday, Hader inherited a one-run lead and worked a clean ninth inning, retiring Joey Ortiz on a lineout to right field, Blake Perkins on a pop-up and Miller on a strikeout. It was just Hader’s third save opportunity at Minute Maid Park this season, meaning a rare chance for the Astros to use their stadium effects for his entrance, which include turning out the lights.
“I think last night was pretty crazy,” Hader said. “Lights go out and everybody started screaming, that kind of gets me into my zone running out. I think that’s the entertainment part. We’re entertainers in this game. … So adding that to the show kind of boosts it a little bit. Anything that gets the crowd going, I’m all about it.”