MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:31 am EDT

Cardinals bringing Franklin back to close

By Mark Miller

“RyanIn his first season as a full-time closer, Ryan Franklin(notes) had 38 saves, his first All-Star invitation, and a 1.92 ERA. Dandy, right?

Well, the 36-year-old Franklin also couldn't actually convert a one-run game into a save for the final month of the season. After Sept. 5, he had three blown saves, one actual save, and an ERA of 6.14. And he blew a save in the postseason against the Los Angeles Dodgers, though that wasn't totally his fault. A dropped fly ball in left field ended up costing him.

Despite all that, the Cardinals are apparently committed to using Franklin as the closer for next season, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The team extended his contract in September.

"I think Ryan Franklin is a quality closer," manager Tony La Russa told the paper, and GM John Mozeliak reportedly feels the same way. Now if they could just convince Cardinals fans to feel the same way right now.

Source: St. Louis Post-DispatchNew Window

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17 Comments

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  1. str A's hooter
    1. Posted by str A's hooter Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:38 am EDT

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    Ryan Franklin is another of a long line of potentially good pitchers in Seattle, who turned their careers around when they went to other teams. Why the Mariners didn't think of using Franklin as a closer is beyond me. St. Louis seems to have more sense in using their pitchers properly. Cedit goes to Dave Duncan.
  2. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    2. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:52 am EDT

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    Morning Str A - So I turned on the game last night but Fox was showing something else....It was Ice Age the Meltdown. The sloth was played by Phil Hughes and Joe Girardi was the Mammoth screw up
  3. str A's hooter
    3. Posted by str A's hooter Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:05 am EDT

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    Sorry about the reversal in global warming, Artist.
    Maybe Ice Ages aren't all they have been built up to be! Phil Hughes is the "ICE Man" now, and Girardi is the "Ice Idiot"!
    I wanted it to go 7 so I'm happy!
  4. CardsRule
    4. Posted by CardsRule Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:00 am EDT

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    Receiving proper instruction and guidance on the use of PED's has helped many players turn their careers around, and receiving all this from the Godfather of PED's, AKA: Toni Larussa, and hi posse including Mckay and Duncan, is even more helpful. An added plus for a guy like Franklin, who is a look-a-like of Bonnie Hunt, in her Mel's Diner days, is that he seems the type who would enjoy all the poking in the butt that goes on with in the Cards stalls with Jose Pujols, Molina, Ankiel, Glaus, and the rest of the daisy chain posse. I understand Molina wearing the eyeliner in the stall poking adventures, but why when playing?
    Congratulations and good luck Ryan Franklin.
  5. NA
    5. Posted by NA Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:57 pm EDT

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    Good luck Ryan! Here's to a new year for 2010!
  6. Jo Bangles
    6. Posted by Jo Bangles Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:03 pm EDT

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    Great news for the Cubs. Go PEDs!
  7. dakiss
    7. Posted by dakiss Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    i hope he pitches like he did the first part of the year cause if not then this is gona suck
  8. Cardinals in contention again.
    8. Posted by Cardinals in contention again. Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:41 pm EDT

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    Franklin was leading MLB in saves for a bit, and lead the NL for a considerable period of time. As long as Duncan sticks around Franklin has a chance for more All-Star showings.
    Matt, Please keep your family in STL. Your wife is sick of moving....seriously, just a 3 year deal will do.
  9. Krazy K
    9. Posted by Krazy K Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:49 am EDT

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    CardsRule sure seems to know a lot about being poked in the butt. Looks like a wannabe.
  10. Krazy K
    10. Posted by Krazy K Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:49 am EDT

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    CardsRule sure seems to know a lot about being poked in the butt. Looks like a wannabe.
  11. CardsRule
    11. Posted by CardsRule Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:38 pm EDT

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    It is better than a stick in the eye......
  12. Asher B
    12. Posted by Asher B Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:40 pm EDT

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    i hope this doesnt turn into an isringhausen situation... franklin was downright terrible after the all star break, and if he doesnt regain his 1st half of 2009 form next year, we're going to be in trouble quickly. we'll see how this goes, but im not optimistic...
  13. Bill
    13. Posted by Bill Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:15 pm EDT

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    Did they forget how awful he was in 2008? He may be the closer, but he is not the league's best by any means.
  14. D
    14. Posted by D Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:56 am EDT

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    he definitely had more downs than ups in seattle too. gotta feel for you cardinal fans. i'd try to get a more reliable and consistent closer. is he laying off them roids?
  15. mansfield card fan
    15. Posted by mansfield card fan Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:30 am EDT

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    After watching the birds the last month I don't believe it was just the closing, I believe it was a team effort. This off season will speak volumes to see how much the front office wants a championship.
  16. drelvis2004
    16. Posted by drelvis2004 Mon Oct 26, 2009 1:16 am EDT

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    As part of the deal they ought to make him cut off that creepy growth on his chin
  17. Sean
    17. Posted by Sean Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:14 am EDT

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    It's nice to be this early in the offseason with this queation already answered.

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