Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Thanks Front Office Guys in LA Who Made Him Become a Reliever

When former Dodger great Kenley Jansen picked up his 400th career save this week, it was an exclamation point on an improbable career. Not that he's done just yet, but Kenley would have never become Kenley if not for the persuasive arguments of several Dodgers front office members at the time.

Back in 2009, the big man was still a minor league catcher who couldn't hit, couldn't really get on base, and didn't produce much pop. But he had a heck of an arm, and several guys in the LA front office took notice.

He opened the 2009 season at Single-A, the highest he had made it up to this point in his career. And he stunk. Through the first 26 games of the season, he was hitting just .202 with a .571 OPS and it didn't seem like the bat would get much better than that.

Kenley actually made the leap to Triple-A -- it almost seems out of spite -- as if the Dodgers were trying to really prove to him once and for all to give in to their suggestion of a position change. As you'd imagine, he did worse. His last game as a catcher came on June 29, 2009.

On July 30th, 2009 -- just one month later -- he picked up his first strikeout as a pro in a clean inning in relief back down at the Single-A level.

On July 24th, 2010 -- less than one year later -- he made his first big league appearance in relief. He struck out the first two batters he faced, outfielder Angel Pagan and third baseman David Wright of the Mets.

One day later, he picked up his first career save, closing out a stellar 8 inning gem thrown by a 22-year-old Clayton Kershaw.

Just shy of 14 years later, he picked up number 400.

“Man, my body is shaking right now, Jansen told NESN after the game. "It’s crazy. Golly. I never thought I could do this. I never thought my dream would be as a pitcher in the big leagues. I always thought I wanted to make it as a catcher. Golly. Great choice, great choice. I’ve got to thank De Jon Watson, Logan White, Charlie Hough, Rick Honeycutt. Rest in peace Kenny Howell.

“Good Lord. They made me, man. They made this person who he is today. I said no to De Jon in Triple-A in 2009. Good Lord. I’m expecting a phone call from him for sure. This is awesome.”

Unfortunately, Kenley blew a save on Friday night, but they'll never take away number 400.

"I never thought I could do this."

Kenley Jansen reacts to recording his 400th career save - only the 7th pitcher in MLB history to do so. @TomCaron | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/rAuxNkdHDk
— NESN (@NESN) May 11, 2023