Rudy Seanez

Rudy Seanez is a 38-year-old right handed pitcher who has somehow cobbled together a nearly twenty-year career between the major and minor leagues. He has pitched for nine different major league teams, including the San Diego Padres and three occasions.

In nineteen years in the big leagues he has gathered five official at-bats. He struck out five times. He earned one walk and scored one run while with the Atlanta Braves in 1999.

In nineteen years, he has pitched in 448 games. That is an average of less than twenty-four games per year. In that time he has a 32-23 record and a 4.14 ERA. His two best years were likely 1999 with the Braves where he won six and lost only one. He earned three saves in eight opportunities. He pitched in 56 games that year, only eclipsed by his other best year, 2005. That year he pitched in 57 games for the Padres, winning seven and losing only one.

This year he has been used by the Los Angeles Dodgers sparingly, but effectively. He has two wins against no losses and a 2.70 ERA.

Did I mention that he pitched for the Cubs in Iowa from August to October of 2003?

The reason I bring all this up is the Seanez got the win last night in the game with the Cubs. The “never-say-die” Cubs fought back from a 5-0 deficit to lead 8-5, only to allow Bob Howry, Wil Ohman and Angel Guzman to squander the lead. Howry faced three men and loaded the bases, Ohman allow one to score without gaining an out. Angel allowed all of his inherited runners to pass over home plate.

You could blame the usually fine starter Ted Lilly for digging the hole at the beginning. You cannot blame the offense for not doing their job. The loss rests squarely on the bullpen.

Early this month, I believed our pen to be solid. Today, I find it officially bankrupt of talent.

Maybe we can get Rudy Seanez?