Major League Baseball

Entertaining Valverde on long saves streak

Published Feb. 26, 2012 10:14 p.m. ET

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Jose Valverde has a long way to go before passing Eric Gagne's record for consecutive saves.

If the playful right-hander does set a new mark this year, his postgame antics should be quite a sight.

''I have started working right now - for some dancing,'' Valverde said Sunday.

After converting all 49 of his save opportunities for the Detroit Tigers in 2011, Valverde will try to keep his streak going for as long as he can. No matter what happens, the demonstrative closer will be sure to have his share of fun. There aren't many relievers in the game more recognizable than ''Papa Grande'' - the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Dominican who celebrates final outs with an odd mix of hops, squats and occasionally wild arm motions.

''I've been watching this guy. He's unique,'' said reliever Octavio Dotel, who signed with the Tigers during the offseason. ''Only he can get so excited. ... And he expects, when somebody beats him or hits a home run, to do the same thing to him. He's not going to get mad.''

Valverde went 2-4 with a 2.24 ERA last year, and his unblemished mark in save situations helped Detroit win the AL Central by 15 games. Valverde, who turns 34 next month, has now saved at least 44 games in a season for three different teams - Arizona, Houston and Detroit.

Remarkably, last year was the first time in Valverde's career that he struck out less than a batter per inning, and he needed to wriggle out of some jams - especially in the postseason. In the division series against the New York Yankees, Valverde nearly blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning of Game 2. With a 5-4 lead in Game 3, he walked two hitters before striking out Derek Jeter to preserve the win.

''You look at guys that are as consistent as he's been throughout his career,'' catcher Alex Avila said. ''They always seem to have guys on base, and when there is, they pitch better. That's what makes them good.''

Last year, including the playoffs, Valverde posted a 0.52 ERA in save chances. In non-save situations, his ERA was 6.83. That might have been a statistical fluke, but Valverde admits he looks forward to pitching with the game on the line.

''If you've been a closer for a long time, and the game's like 7-1, no closer wants to pitch in a game like this,'' Valverde said. ''I like it when the game is close, tight. I like the pressure.''

Valverde has actually saved 51 consecutive games dating to the 2010 season. According to STATS, LLC, that's the third-longest streak behind Tom Gordon (54) and Gagne, who converted 84 chances in a row from Aug. 28, 2002, to July 3, 2004. Gagne, then with the Los Angeles Dodgers, won the 2003 National League Cy Young Award.

Breaking Gagne's record will be a daunting task for any pitcher.

''It's a lot,'' Valverde said. ''It's too much. If I do 85, I'll be celebrating a lot.''

Valverde always seems to find time to celebrate. His animated reactions on the field have become as much a part of the Tigers' recent success as Justin Verlander's fastball or Miguel Cabrera's power.

In September, when Valverde set a team record with his 43rd save, he dropped to one knee, then quickly stood up on his left foot, kicking his other leg high in the air and pumping his right fist.

''He's a special guy,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ''He's a fun-loving guy, he's a good guy, he's got a great face - the whole ball of wax - but he's a real serious guy when he's on that mound. It may not appear that way to people because they know his personality, but he's real serious about what he does.''

In the clubhouse, Valverde can be as loud and excitable as he is on the field, and that's an attitude he says extends to car rides on the way to the ballpark.

''I'll be loud like crazy in my car, with music and everything,'' he said. ''When my friend rides, he told me, `What are you doing?' I said, `Do your thing. Let me do mine.'''

Valverde was then asked if he ever tries to add more peace and quiet to his life.

''No. I want it to be noisy everywhere,'' Valverde said. ''To be so serious, you'll be old quick. I don't want to be old.''

NOTES: Leyland said Sunday that RHP Joaquin Benoit had a stiff neck but should be fine. ... Leyland said the Tigers are a ''pretty set club'' in terms of roster spots, with four starting pitchers and the back of the bullpen essentially determined. ''It's not like we're some team coming in with all these decisions to make,'' he said. ''We have a lot of work to do, but it's not saying, `Well, we've got to come up with five guys to make this team.'''

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