Day 39: Hanrahan Lands on 60-Day DL, This Fan Rejoices!

What is it about closers? They can be so great—think Jonathan Papelbon in his prime, and they can be soooooo incredibly bad that you cringe when you see them start to warm up in the bullpen. Eric Gagne falls into the latter category in his one ill-fated season with the Red Sox in 2007. Hard to believe that same guy won the NL Cy Young in 2003.

Creepy closer twins.

Nothing is more disappointing then a blown save. Your team gets so close to notching that W—all you need is just three outs and your there. And then BAM! The rug gets yanked from underneath you, your dreams are shattered as the opposing team launches the go ahead two-run dinger over the Green Monster and all you really want to do is call Tony Soprano to come "take care" of the problem. I'd like to introduce Mr. Soprano to current Red Sox closer (and Gagne doppelganger), Joel Hanrahan. The guy just bugs me.

When the Sox signed Hanrahan, some folks were a little confused. It's not like he didn't have the stats to back up the signing, but was he worth the money? In 2011, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he saved 40 games and finished the season with a 1.83 ERA. But what was Andrew Bailey's role going to be? After missing a good chunk of the 2012 season, Bailey was ready for action. And then they go and sign this hard throwing nutball and relegate Bailey to set up guy.

But then Hanrahan had to go and hurt himself and Bailey came in and proved he could successfully close games and had a great April. And then Bailey goes on the DL and nutball comes back and then he hurts himself again. And lands on the 60-day DL. I sort of wish there was a 600-day DL. I really don't trust that dude. When he does get the job done... he scares the crap out of you. Maybe I'm just feeling bitter because May hasn't started out so hot for the Sox. I need a scapegoat.

Let's see how Junichi Tazawa can handle that role. But first we need the starting pitchers to not suck.