Kenley Jansen, the closer for the Boston Red Sox, secured his 424th career save on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, but not without criticism of the quality of the baseballs he was given to pitch with.
Jansen’s save didn’t come without drama, as he loaded the bases to begin his appearance by hitting a batter, walking a batter, and surrendering a single.
Despite a successful result, Jansen voiced his frustration with the condition of the balls.
The Kenley Jansen experience is an absolute rollercoaster. pic.twitter.com/pVCWGbI10N
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) April 15, 2024
“Any balls that came, I just threw it back until I found a good ball. It’s just brutal,” Jansen said after the game.
“But for me, yes, I probably have to get better. I always will be accountable for myself. I’m going to get better. But if your bullpen balls are better rubbed than game balls, it’s embarrassing.”
“I’ve been in this league a long time now and from the beginning of my career to now, it’s getting worse.”
The 'embarrassing' baseballs had Kenley Jansen in no celebratory mood https://t.co/iqe8PsWDQA #RedSox pic.twitter.com/SoBLHtvZTC
— WEEI (@WEEI) April 14, 2024
Jansen’s critique extended beyond his own experience, suggesting that his teammates shared his concerns.
“It’s been an issue all year. I’ve been talking to a lot of my teammates, and they feel the same way,” he added.
That ball does look like crap like Kenley was saying. I would think the stitches would stick out more for better grip and spin rates
— Seth Main🧢 (@YANGS1K) April 15, 2024
This isn’t the first time this season a pitcher has taken aim at the quality of the baseballs.
Less than two weeks ago, Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks expressed similar frustrations after a tough outing at Coors Field.
“They were horrible. You can mark that down in all caps for me: horrible,” Fairbanks told reporters at the time.
“That’s what happens when you don’t throw strikes, you get punished for it. So, I’d love to see those come out of the humidor tomorrow in a little better shape before they get rubbed up, but there’s nobody to blame but myself for not being able to adjust to some of the quality issues.”
The new unis are substandard & apparently so are the balls. What’s going on in MLB? Is this the minor leagues now? Maybe bus trips instead of flights are next.
— Spidey79 (@Bill15906424) April 15, 2024
While controversies surrounding the aerodynamic properties of baseballs have surfaced in the past, such as accusations of balls being “juiced,” the current complaints seem focused on the gripping ability of the balls rather than their flight characteristics.
If the issues raised by Fairbanks and Jansen are widespread across the league, and not just isolated incidents, it could pose challenges for pitchers adjusting to varying ball conditions, particularly given Major League Baseball’s recent crackdown on grip-enhancing substances.
Who is the only Red Sox player who has done his job perfectly this year?
Correct answers only…
I’ll go first. Kenley Jansen. pic.twitter.com/i8lrRkRXaE
— Ryan Martin (@remartin_34) April 14, 2024
Between the Shohei Ohtani scandal, the “Boras 4” free agency debacle, the ridiculous Nike/Fanatics uniform situation, the ongoing pitching injury storyline and now this controversy, it hasn’t been the smoothest of times for Commissioner Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball.
These baseball uniforms man 🤣
pic.twitter.com/oN7wub3Uto— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) April 9, 2024
What are your thoughts on the comments by Jansen and Fairbanks?
Do you think there’s a problem with the baseballs?
Should they just quit whining and adjust? … Or does the issue run much deeper???
Josh Hader names his Mount Rushmore of closers
Mariano Rivera
Trevor Hoffman
Billy Wagner
Kenley Jansen(via @See_Hendo) pic.twitter.com/Bo2P67FYYE
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 15, 2024