THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL July 12: Mets deal closer Francisco Rodriguez

Saving 23 games before the All-Star Game apparently wasn’t good enough.

On this day in béisbol, July 12, 2011, the New York Mets dealt closer Francisco Rodriguez and cash to the Brewers for two players to be named later.

The move forced K-Rod out of his familiar closer role, but he would become a solid set-up man with Milwaukee where he went 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA the rest of the way. 

Rodriguez, from Caracas, Venezuela, would become an elite closer again three years later in a second stint with Milwaukee, when he saved 44 games I in 2014.

Also on this day: White Sox pitcher Melido Perez no-hits the Yankees at The Stadium in an 8-0, rain shortened game that only went six innings. Melido’s brother Perez, playing for the Yankees, pitched a five inning-no hitter in 1988 against the Phillies. 

 

Untapped New York, NY Post, Latino Baseball Illustration