So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 57
No. 57:
Our pick:
==Francisco Rodriguez, Angels ('02- )
"K-Rod" was the Angels' secret weapon during their 2002 World Series title run. Brought up in September, the hard-throwing righthander was kept on the post-season roster and won five games during the playoffs -- before he had ever won a regular-season game, mostly by being the pitcher of record when the Angels rallied to win games. Against the Yankees in the ALDS, he won two games and had eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Against the Twins in the ALCS, two more wins and seven strike outs in 4 1/3 inning. In the World Series against the Giants, he was 1-1 with 13 Ks in 8 2/3 innings. The 20-year-old was the youngest pitcher in 32 years to pitch in the World Series and the youngest ever to get a win.
Still, Rodriguez was merely a set-up may for Troy Percival, until Percy left to join the Detroit Tigers in '05. Rodriguez saved 45 games in '05, and 47 in '06 to lead the majors. He became the youngest pitcher to gain 100 saves when he accomplished it at the age of 24. In '07, he saved 40 more games, but when last seen, K-Rod was giving up a walk-off homer to Manny Ramirez at Fenway Park in Game 2 of the ALDS.
In six seasons with the Angels, Rodriguez has 510 strike outs in 383 innings, which averages out to ... a lot more than Scot Shields.
Other No. 57s:
==Steve Howe, Dodgers ('80-'85)
NL Rookie of the Year in 1980 and an '82 All-Star
==Jerry Robinson, Raiders ('85-'91)
Sports Illustrated's pick for the all-time No. 57: Dwight Stephenson.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: