The Right Approach For A Closer?

by Casey the Intern

After yesterday’s blown save, David Aardsma just let it go. When commenting on his performance he said he let the loss go the second he walked off the field. Aardsma’s relaxed approach will surely go over well with the Seattle fanbase, but it is it the right approach for a closer who is supposed to have ‘that killer instinct’? Good closers are supposed to have a certain mindset that sets them apart from other pitchers. We saw early on in the year that Brandon Morrow did not have the right psychology to be a closer when he blew a string of saves early on.

Aardsma has showed that he has the right psychology thus far saving seventeen out of nineteen save opportunities. But is it a problem that it doesnt bother him that he blew the game? Some people would prefer a closer with a mindset like Jonathan Papelbon. He is now notorious for freaking out after blowing saves, and has been seen beating up water coolers and flinging equipment at photographers. I think that both closers approach are a product of their environment. Papelbon is under more pressure as the closer of the Boston Red Sox, than Aardsma is here. But Aardsma’s approach is the perfect approach for the successful athlete. His mindset of having a short memory on the field is essential to being a good closer because the Mariners cant afford to have his emotions carry into this upcoming series with the division leading Rangers.

Listen to Aardsma talk about letting it go here.