K-Rod breaks saves record, 2 weeks to spare

While most of you were fast asleep, Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez broke the 18-year-old saves record Saturday night.

K-Rod's 58th save had a little adventure: a double and walk before getting Wladimir Balentien and Ichiro Suzuki to strike out swinging.

It was K-Rod's third save in four days, as the Angels closer tries to increase his free agency stock.

It also came 10 days before I predicted the record would fall in this June 24 post.

The old record was held by Chicago White Sox RP Bobby Thigpen (57) in 1990.

Here's a complete list.

And in the meantime, be thankful you passed on J.J. Putz and grabbed K-Rod two rounds later. Just goes to show how unpredictable saves really are.

58 — x-Francisco Rodriguez, L.A. Angels, 2008

57 — Bobby Thigpen, Chicago White Sox, 1990

55 — John Smoltz, Atlanta, 2002

55 — Eric Gagne, L.A. Dodgers, 2003

53 — Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, 2004

53 — Trevor Hoffman, San Diego, 1998

53 — Randy Myers, Chicago Cubs, 1993

52 — Eric Gagne, L.A. Dodgers, 2002

51 — Dennis Eckersley, Oakland, 1992

51 — Rod Beck, Chicago Cubs, 1998

50 — Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, 2001

49 — Francisco Cordero, Texas, 2004

48 — Dennis Eckersley, Oakland, 1990

48 — Rod Beck, San Francisco, 1993

48 — Jeff Shaw, Cincinnati-L.A. Dodgers, 1998

47 — Chad Cordero, Washington, 2005

47 — Jose Valverde, Arizona, 2007

47 — Armando Benitez, Florida, 2004

47 — Francisco Rodriguez, L.A. Angels, 2006

47 — Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis, 2004

47 — Lee Smith, St. Louis, 1991