This Day In Dodgers History: Yhency Brazoban Breaks Steve Howe’s Franchise Rookie Record For Saves
On July 22, 2005, Los Angeles Dodgers closer Yhency Brazoban worked a perfect ninth inning in a 6-5 win over the New York Mets to record his 18th save of the season, which became a new franchise rookie record. Steve Howe previously held the record with 17 in 1980.
The Dodgers organization has had some outstanding closers throughout their history, most notably Kenley Jansen, Eric Gagne, Jeff Shaw, Todd Worrell and Jonathan Broxton, but none of them recorded more saves as a rookie than Brazoban in 2005.
Going into the season, Gagne was coming off three consecutive All-Star seasons in which he won a Cy Young and broke the Major League record for most consecutive saves at 84. He began 2005 with a sprained elbow that limited him to only 13.1 innings, so someone had to step up in his absence.
Brazoban, who threw 32.2 solid innings for the Dodgers in 2004, was up for the challenge and went on to complete 21 saves in 27 chances throughout the 2005 season. Overall, Brazoban went 4-10 with a 5.33 ERA, 4.84 FIP and 1.40 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 32 walks in 72.2 innings.
Originally, signed by the New York Yankees out of the Dominican Republic in 1997, the Dodgers acquired Brazoban in a 2003 trade that sent Kevin Brown to New York.
The 2005 season, which was Jim Tracy’s final as manager of the Dodgers, did not go as planned as Los Angeles finished 71-91, resulting in a fourth-place finish in the National League West standings.
Over parts of five seasons with the Dodgers, Brazoban pitched to a 4.70 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. He has 21 career saves, with all of them coming in 2005. He was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery early into the 2006 season, which cost him more than a year of action.
The Dodgers signed Japanese right-hander Takashi Saito to take over closing duties.
Before retiring in 2012, Brazoban spent time up with the Mets, Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations. He also played in both Japan and Mexico.
