Save the hype for bigger marks

- This record matters less than others because relatively speaking, having a dedicated closer is such a relatively recent innovation that these bullpen aces' accomplishments are hard to compare to pitchers' of the past. Eleven pitchers have had 50 or more saves in a season, all since 1990. How many pitchers of the earlier 1900s could have been great closers if the job had existed?

- This record is devalued because the role of saves-getter is an appointed job and his success depends too much on what his teammates do for three hours before he joins the game. A starting pitcher can earn as many wins, as low an ERA as he's capable, and a hitter can roll up as many home runs, as many stolen bases as his ability allows. But a relief pitcher can pile up saves only if the manager points to him in spring training and says, "You get all the saves this season," in the process telling the rest of the bullpen, "You get none of the saves."

- Meaning this record reflects a player's actual performance less than most baseball records do. In fact, judging by Rodriguez's ERA (2.42) so far, this is a worse-than-average season for him, and going by his hits-to-innings and walks-to-strikeouts ratios, this is his worst season. Compare K-Rod's season to the others on the all-time saves list, and his ERA is only seventh best, his hits-to-innings ratio is only sixth best, and his walks-to-strikeouts ratio is worse than all except ... Thigpen's.

Look, I'm not knocking Rodriguez (though I can do without his me-first victory celebrations). He's a great talent, and he's doing what the Angels ask of him.

Nor am I forgetting that records don't have to be indicators of greatness. They're just records, inviting interpretation.

I'm just saying that if it seems like sports journalists are treating Frankie Rodriguez's soon-to-be saves record as if it belongs on the back pages of the record book, that's because it does.