Kenley Jansen, the former closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is poised to be remembered as one of the greatest relievers in Major League Baseball history. With an impressive tally of 454 saves and a career ERA of 2.62, Jansen has struck out over 1,230 batters in just 879.1 innings, solidifying his standing in the sport. Despite his impressive stats, Jansen’s departure from the Dodgers after the 2021 season left some fans feeling disenchanted.
Recently, Jansen reflected on his career and the critics who doubted his ability to continue performing at a high level. Speaking to The Orange County Register, he stated, “Everyone who thought that I was done was a motivation for me. I appreciate them, and I love those doubters.” Despite struggling in May, where he allowed eight earned runs and four home runs in just three innings, Jansen remains confident about his skills and is committed to achieving more in the future.
His comments suggest a strong emotional connection to his time with the Dodgers and an underlying drive to prove his critics wrong. While he acknowledges the challenges of the current season, he emphasizes his dedication and desire to continue competing at the top level. This attitude reflects the resilience often seen in veteran athletes, who can draw on past doubts as fuel for future success.
The upcoming seasons could provide Jansen with further opportunities to enhance his career achievements and potentially secure his spot in the Hall of Fame, a rare honor for relievers. With his track record and determination, fans may have more to look forward to from this talented pitcher.