Closer Returns After Missing All of 2008

By Broadside Correspondent John Kleeb

In recent years in Major League Baseball, the closer position has been one that has seen record-breaking numbers. Eric Gagne set the National League record with 55 saves in 2003 and converted 84 consecutive save opportunities from 2002 through 2004.

Last season, Francisco Rodriguez broke Bobby Thigpen’s single-season record with 62 saves. For junior Jordan Flasher, the distinction of George Mason University’s single-season and all-time save leader is already clinched.

Every baseball team has a closer. The purpose of the closer is to come in on close games, so the other team cannot come back to tie the game or give the opposition the lead. A save can be earned by pitching at least the last three innings without giving up the lead or entering the game when the potential tying run is on-deck.

The usual situation to pick up the save is where the pitcher comes in for at least one inning while his team holds no more than a three-run lead. The Manassas native is Mason’s all-time leader in saves. As of April 22, Flasher has 23 career saves, five more than former pitcher Steve Kann.

The baseball team is having a successful year and has complete control in the CAA. Flasher is pleased to see the team’s success. According to Flasher, winning the conference championship was a goal that the team set out for and he is happy that they are on their way to achieving this goal, especially when he missed all of last season with an elbow injury.

It was particularly tough for him to miss the rest of the season after making just one appearance.It discouraged him, but thanks to the team’s trainer, he has been able to make a full recovery. “Everything feels great,” said Flasher.

Flasher, who is equipped with a mid-90s fastball, pitched 13-1/3 innings and struck out 14 batters while picking up five saves so far this season. He also has a 2.70 ERA this season. After recording 14 saves in 2007 and missing the entire 2008 season, Flasher was able to get back on track with his first save of the 2009 season, which put him above Kann for the all-time save leaders.

His first save since 2007 came against the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks on Mar. 13 when he pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two batters.
Head Coach Bill Brown is also happy to see his star closer back in the bullpen. He considers Flasher a huge part of why the bullpen has been successful this year.
Despite the injury last season, Flasher was still drafted in the 39th round last spring by the Toronto Blue Jays. “It was awesome,” said Flasher.

Flasher finds it to be a great feeling to know that a professional baseball team was interested in him. Being a closer not only requires one to be a good pitcher, but to keep calm when under pressure. Flasher states that he goes out there with the mentality that no one will beat him and it has worked for him well at Mason.

Closers are unsung heroes. They come in to the game with the game on the line and they have to make smart pitches or else the lead will be lost. It is not as glamorous as starting Game 7 of the World Series or batting with the bases loaded in a tight game, but closers like Flasher are the ones that end games. The closer is a key part of any ballclub’s success and Flasher has no doubt been a huge part of Mason’s success.