Sherrill Loses Closing Job

May 4, 2009   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

After a couple shaky appearances George Sherrill has lost his closing job with the Baltimore Orioles. Sherrill a 2008 All-Star hasn’t had the best of starts this season. After 11 appearances he’s sporting a 5.06 era with four saves but blowing two chances. For most guys if they’re a closer and a former All-Star their managers would give them a little more time to work out of that funk. But remember this is the Orioles and Sherrill was just the best guy on a bad team last year.

The final straw for manager Dave Trembley came Saturday when Sherrill gave up a game-tying solo homer to Toronto Blue Jay’s Aaron Hill in the tenth inning.

“I think No. 1, we have to do what’s best to get us on the winning track, and No. 2, I have to take a look at the situation and do what I feel is in the best interest of the team for today,” Trembley said “Further than that, I’ll probably take it day by day.”

During the interview Trembley also mentioned that even when Sherrill succeeds he makes things interesting. In every save opportunity this season he’s given up a hit. If runners are always getting on base you’re that close to blowing a save, especially when its a one run game. In fact he’s blown six of his last eight one-run save opportunities.

“George will keep you on the tightrope more times than not,” Trembley said. “There is not a whole lot of save opportunities for him that come rather easy, but I would admit that the location of some of his pitches haven’t been as good as they were last year.”

Those numbers aren’t good at all but really do the Orioles have anyone else with his talent? I don’t think so!

For the time being Trembley is going to go with a mix of Sherrill, Jim Johnson, Danys Baez and Chris Ray. Hopefully Trembley is just throwing those names out there to give George some more time to work out the kinks. For the Orioles the best chance to get wins (which are hard to come by for them) is to have George closing out games.

“The thing is, I would like to have the chance to pitch myself out of the opportunity,” Sherrill said. “It’s not like I’m 1-for-6 or two of six. I’m four of six. That’s decent. We do have a lot of guys to do it, but I want to be the guy to do it. I don’t really understand it, but when it all gets said and done, wins are what matters.”

It’s good to see Sherrill feel this way, now its time for him to go out there and show the job should be his.

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