Hermanson Article

[bjm676]

Think about where the Sox bullpen would be without him. He's been so valuable.

 

Hermanson = Mr. Automatic

 

Dustin' 'em off in style

Hermanson finishing foes like no White Sox closer has in quite some time

 

When Dustin Hermanson signed his two-year, $5.5 million free-agent contract with the White Sox last December, the veteran relief pitcher made a promise to his new general manager.

"I told Kenny Williams when he signed me, 'I promise you, at some point, I will take that closer's job,' " Hermanson recalled. "I didn't mean anything bad against Shingo (Takatsu) or anything like that, but I just had enough confidence in myself to know that I would do everything possible where I would take it over."

 

Hermanson has delivered on that promise. If he hadn't, the Sox might not be enjoying as much success as they have so far this season. They are running away with the American League Central Division race and own the best record in baseball (57-26).

 

Hermanson is 0-2, but has converted 21 of 22 save opportunities and has a scant 1.35 ERA. He's allowed just one home run in 33 1/3 innings.

 

"He's been huge," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "And you know what I really like about him? Quick, no drama. That no drama is a good thing. We've had enough games with drama this year."

 

And enough seasons with closers who lived, and frequently died, with drama.

 

In 2002, there was Keith Foulke, blowing three of just 14 save opportunities and going 2-4. Then there was the Billy Koch Era: He was 5-5 with just 11 saves and an unsightly 5.77 ERA in 2003, and 1-1 with eight saves and a 5.40 ERA in 2004 before being shipped to Florida in a June deal.

 

They were among the reasons the Sox went shopping in the offseason for some stability in the closer's role. True, Takatsu dazzled in his rookie campaign in 2004, converting 19 of 20 save chances and posting a 2.31 ERA. But the Sox were not sold on a pitcher who relied on deception, and that's another reason the 32-year-old Hermanson was atop Williams' wish list in free agency.

 

The Sox said all the right things after Hermanson signed, insisting Takatsu was still the closer. And at the start of this season, he was. But a blown save against Cleveland on April 7 — in which he served up three solo homers — raised the first red flag.

 

While Takatsu struggled, Hermanson worked with the precision of a sniper, running off 21 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings to start the year, the longest season-opening streak by a Sox hurler since at least 1969.

 

"And you know what, Shingo really didn't even do that bad of a job," Hermanson said. "I think he blew one save. But enough of a door was left open, and I was pitching well."

 

Since Hermanson took the job, neither he nor the Sox have looked back. His 21 saves are the most by a Sox hurler before the All-Star break since Roberto Hernandez had 26 in 1996.

 

The Sox like the intensity Hermanson brings to the mound. Koch similarly displayed his emotions, but that's where the comparisons stop.

 

"Billy Koch had intensity, but when he was with us, it was out-of-control intensity," Cooper said. "An inability to pitch, Billy had intensity to throw. The command and the pitchability wasn't there. And when his fastball lost almost 5 mph, he was really naked out there.

 

" 'Hermie' can pitch, and he brings that intensity with a focus and with pitchability. I like that. He's started, he's relieved, and with his personality, he's fun loving, but not off the wall. He doesn't take himself too seriously. He can be a little hard on himself because he wants to succeed, but with all that said, I think his personality fits the bullpen more. He's more of a bullpen guy than a starter because he is a bit of a free spirit and the way he wants to go at guys.

 

"One of his problems as a starter is he did that from pitch No. 1 — go at guys — and by the fifth inning, he was spent. He wants to attack, attack, attack, and that attack thing is better suited for the bullpen."

 

Hermanson isn't the prototypical closer in that he doesn't bring a 98-mph fastball to the mound. But the Sox can live with that, considering the results.

 

"I'm a pitcher now, not a thrower," Hermanson said. "I throw a slider, a splitty (split-fingered fastball), I throw a 91-mph sinker that looks like 95 because of the way I change speeds. I never try to hump back and throw 94-95 anymore. I throw 85 percent and let the ball make its movement. I'm not trying to strike guys out. I'm trying to make them hit my pitch."

 

And yet Hermanson's greatest strength might be his makeup. He's not a guy who is concerned with numbers or acclaim. In other words, he's a perfect fit for the "team" philosophy that manager Ozzie Guillen preaches.

 

"I'm very grateful I made this choice to play here," Hermanson said. "Especially over San Francisco (his team last season), when you look where they are. They're in the bottom of the pit, and I'm glad I'm not buried there.

 

"The thing about this team is even when we lose a few games, we don't get down on ourselves. At the beginning of the season, that first month, it was like, 'Look at how lucky the Sox are.' Then the second month, now after three months, you hear them saying, 'You know what, I don't think this team is going away.' "

 

Asked whether he's the one player who has made a difference in the clubhouse this season, Hermanson laughed it off.

 

"There is one guy responsible, but it's called 'Team.' That one guy is the whole team," he said. "We've kind of put an unbelievable warrior together, and everyone has contributed a part to that. That's what I consider us now, one unbelievable warrior on the field. That's the way we go at it, working together. Yeah, to answer the question, there is one person, and it's spelled 'T-E-A-M.' "

Edited July 8, 2005 by robinventura23

[DukeNukeEm]

With the Addition of Jenks, I feel like our Bullpen is complete.

 

I love our bullpen now.

[ceffa2000]

Our bullpen has great depth and variety. Very happy right now.

 

 

 

Hermie, here's to ya:

[BDavisFutureHOF]

"There is one guy responsible, but it's called 'Team.' That one guy is the whole team," he said. "We've kind of put an unbelievable warrior together, and everyone has contributed a part to that. That's what I consider us now, one unbelievable warrior on the field. That's the way we go at it, working together. Yeah, to answer the question, there is one person, and it's spelled 'T-E-A-M.' "

 

This is why our TEAM is so great

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(DukeNukeEm @ Jul 8, 2005 -> 12:59 PM)

With the Addition of Jenks, I feel like our Bullpen is complete.

 

I love our bullpen now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't mind seeing Viz and Shingo dumped to a team like Boston.

[DukeNukeEm]

For what?

 

Millar?

[White Sox Josh]

I wouldn't mind seeing Viz and Shingo dumped to a team like Boston.

Um Vizcaino yes, Shingo no.

[DABearSoX]

That last paragraph about team really made me feel, umm, all warm and fuzzy inside......I love that they are taking that appraoch and it shows in our offense too. No one other the pablo is hitting over .300 but we still have 57 wins....thats called gettin the job done at any part of the order.....

 

 

Cheers to you 2005 White Sox

[greasywheels121]

We need to calm down with the Jenks=Cy Young talk for just a little bit more. Just as it's wrong to dismiss someone after one outing, it's equally as wrong to proclaim them perfect after one outing.

[WHarris1]

We need to calm down with the Jenks=Cy Young talk for just a little bit more.  Just as it's wrong to dismiss someone after one outing, it's equally as wrong to proclaim them perfect after one outing.

You'd be excited too if you saw what he was throwing.

[SoxFan1]

2004 Shingo = 2005 Hermy

 

2006 Hermy = 2005 Shingo?????

[RockRaines]

You'd be excited too if you saw what he was throwing.

He has ungodly stuff, and a desire to compete. He showed it with the fist pump and the emotion right after the game. This guy fits in and gives us a ridiculous arm out of the pen. Think of what his stuff will look like following MB or El Duque. Jeez

[SoxFan1]

Speaking of Jenks, I missed his debut but I hear his curve is nasty and his fastball reaches 103!?! Hopefully I get to see him tonight. Well, hopefully not because the longer Garland goes, the better.

[Rowand44]

You'd be excited too if you saw what he was throwing.

He's right though. Jenks stuff is as impressive as there is in baseball, however we do have to expect some rough spots from him this year. Who knows, maybe he will be this years krod and just dominate the whole year but just don't expect him to be lights out, just yet.

[KevHead0881]

Jenks' stuff is quite rediculous, and I'm excited to see more of him. But put me in the "need to see him more before we deem him our savior" crowd.

 

I do have a good feeling about him though. There's a lot to like about a big fat guy throwing 100 mph. George Offman said he's been described as the baseball version of John Daly.

[alexgtp]

I was very impressed by the power JEnks showed..

He might have power but I think he needs to be a little more relaxed and spot his fastball better.

I think he might of just been nervous..

 

Imagine him being able to spot that vicious fastball wherever the catcher says.... and than use his ungodly curveball as the strikeout pitch!!

[DukeNukeEm]

If he can get 103 over the plate it doesnt matter where it is. The batters just have to swing the bat randomly and hope they make contact.

[SoxFan1]

If he can get 103 over the plate it doesnt matter where it is.  The batters just have to swing the bat randomly and hope they make contact.

You pretty much gotta swing as soon as he let's it go.

[DukeNukeEm]

Imagine getting plunked by a 103 MPH fastball.. that would hurt so damn much.

[greasywheels121]

You'd be excited too if you saw what he was throwing.

 

I watched the replay, so I DID see what he was throwing. He was throwing great.

 

Greasy is right. When Jenks gives up 3 ER and walks two in an inning, people are going to want to blow up the bullpen. I really enjoyed watching Bobby, and im dying to see him on the bump again, but kid made 3 outs to the DEVIL RAYS. Ease up a little bit.

 

Exactly what I mean. I just don't want people to get carried away just yet. Overreacting is definitely is a characteristic of many of our posters here. Give him a little more time.

[WHarris1]

LOL

Ok I know dubbing him Cy Young is wrong and I never said it was right. I'm just saying it's awesome to have a guy throwing 99 with an awesome breaking ball.

 

BTW tony, the DRays are a good hitting team.

 

Enough jestful comments for me.

Edited July 8, 2005 by WHarris1

[SoxFan1]

BTW tony, the DRays are a good hitting team.

There are probably stats backing that up but the overall record makes me very skeptical. Of course, their sorry ass pitching staff accounts to this as well.

[Whitewashed in '05]

While I do hope he can be good for us I am starting to think...what about Baj? Do you think he will be replacing Viz or Shingo at anytime during this season? Or what if Jenks doesn't work out? Do you think he will be the replacement?

[WHarris1]

There are probably stats backing that up but the overall record makes me very skeptical. Of course, their sorry ass pitching staff accounts to this as well.

Either 8th or 9th in BA

[SoxFan1]

Either 8th or 9th in BA

In the AL or MLB???? Either way, thats pretty good for a team with 60 losses.