Before José Mesa became one of Cleveland's most iconic pitchers, he started his career in a much different role—as a starting pitcher. He was big, strong, and had a fast arm, but despite those natural gifts, his career as a starter was... well, average at best. Nothing about his performances really stood out. But in 1994, everything changed when the Indians' pitching coach Phil Regan and manager Mike Hargrove approached Mesa with a proposition that would forever alter the trajectory of his career. They asked him to transition to the bullpen.
Little did Mesa know that this seemingly small adjustment would turn him into a Cleveland legend.
The Big Shift
As a starter, Mesa had to grind through lineups, pitching three or four times against the same batters. When he made the shift to the bullpen, particularly as a closer, it felt like a dream come true. Mesa once joked about how much easier it was to get those crucial outs in the ninth inning compared to laboring through multiple innings.
He’d smile during interviews, confidently saying, "One, two, three. No doubt about it." That was his simple but bold way of describing how effortlessly he could shut the door on opponents in those high-pressure situations. He embraced the closer role as if it was his destiny, dominating hitters in a way few could have predicted.
A Record-Breaking Year
By 1995, Mesa had mastered the art of closing, and the Cleveland Indians were reaping the rewards. The team won an impressive 100 games that season, making it to the World Series for the first time in 41 years. Mesa’s stats were nothing short of jaw-dropping: a 3-0 record, 46 saves, and a microscopic 1.13 ERA in 62 games.
Those 46 saves weren’t just impressive—they were historic. That number stood as the franchise record for decades until, on a memorable Monday night, Emmanuel Clase tied it with his 46th save in a nail-biting 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Enter Emmanuel Clase
Clase, like Mesa, is a force to be reckoned with on the mound. Though he doesn’t have a signature catchphrase like Mesa’s iconic “One, two, three,” he doesn’t need one. His performance speaks for itself. When Clase steps onto the field with a narrow lead, it's typically a signal for the opposition to pack it up and call it a night. That’s especially true in tight situations—like the one on Monday night—when Clase retired three dangerous hitters, Carlos Correa, Carlos Santana, and Royce Lewis, in the ninth inning to secure the win for Cleveland.
In a postgame interview, Clase expressed his gratitude for the milestone. “This is really special,” he said, with his words translated by interpreter Agustin Rivero. “First of all, thank you God for this opportunity. We’ve luckily been able to reach a lot of milestones that I didn’t know we’d be able to accomplish this year.”
Chasing History
Clase has had quite a few milestones in 2023, starting with becoming Cleveland’s all-time saves leader, surpassing Cody Allen’s previous record of 149 saves. As of now, Clase has racked up an impressive 156 saves in a Cleveland uniform, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
What makes Clase's journey even more exciting is the streak he's currently riding. He has successfully converted 33 straight saves this season, inching closer to yet another piece of Cleveland history. Mesa holds the record for consecutive saves with 38, achieved between 1994 and 1995. Clase is only a handful of saves away from tying, or possibly breaking, that record.
“I’ve been able to stay focused on executing every single pitch when I come into a game,” Clase shared when asked about the key to his ongoing streak.
The Drama of the Game
Monday night’s game was a rollercoaster, with the Guardians trailing the Twins for seven innings. But as the eighth inning rolled around, magic happened. Kyle Manzardo stepped up and delivered a clutch two-run homer, flipping the script and giving Cleveland a 4-3 lead. From the bullpen, Clase sensed that something special was on the horizon.
“In my mind, I was calling that situation to happen,” Clase admitted. “I was positive that something like that would happen. So as soon as he did it, for me it was a happy moment. Then I said, ‘OK, I’m ready to go.’”
And go he did.
Clase took the mound, and in typical fashion, he slammed the door on the Twins, securing the victory and his 46th save of the season. The confidence and calmness Clase exudes in those high-pressure moments make it easy to forget that this kind of performance isn’t as easy as he makes it look.
Clase's 2023 Dominance
Looking at Clase's 2023 numbers, it's hard not to be in awe. He's posted a 4-2 record with an eye-popping 0.65 ERA, allowing just five runs over 69 1/3 innings. His 46 saves in 49 chances lead the major leagues, and his 63 strikeouts versus only eight walks are further proof of his command and precision on the mound. His WHIP sits at a minuscule 0.65, and opposing hitters have only managed to scrape together 37 hits against him in over 69 innings of work.
Clase's consistency and focus on executing every pitch have been the cornerstones of his success. He’s been able to maintain his laser focus game after game, contributing significantly to Cleveland’s success this season. His performance not only places him among the top closers in the game but also draws favorable comparisons to the legendary Mesa.
Closing Out the Conversation
For Cleveland baseball fans, the comparisons between Clase and Mesa are inevitable. Both have played pivotal roles in shaping the franchise’s history, especially in the closer role. But while Mesa brought flair and a go-to line to his interviews, Clase lets his pitching do the talking. His dominance, calmness under pressure, and ability to rack up save after save make him a formidable closer in today’s game, just as Mesa was in the ’90s.
As Clase chases down more records and continues to dominate, Cleveland fans have every reason to be excited. Could he surpass Mesa’s consecutive saves streak? Will he continue to set new franchise records? With the way he’s been performing, it’s hard to bet against him.
In the end, whether it’s “One, two, three” or “Check, please,” Cleveland’s bullpen is in very good hands.
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