When will the ‘What’s wrong with Kenley Jansen’ nonsense begin?

Remember when the national media and radio talk show hosts feasted on their self-generated fertilizer (as Vin Scully would say) about something being wrong with 2014 NL MVP and three-time and defending NL Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw? You know, back in April and May when he was losing nearly every game he started by three runs or less while striking out an average of 8.2 batters per game? Well get ready folks because the same nonsense is about to begin with Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen.

After missing the first month and a half of the season while recovering from foot surgery, the 27-year-old Willemstad, Curacao native returned to action on May 15 and promptly saved his first seven games without allowing a single run. And although the extremely likable 6′ 5″ / 265-pound right-hander has since blown one save and lost one game in his 30 appearances and 28.1 innings pitched since returning from the disabled list, he still has an excellent earned run average of 2.86 and has struck out 50 while walking (are you ready for this) four. That’s a K/BB ratio of 12.50 and a K/9 average of 15.9. To put this in perspective, Kershaw, who leads all of baseball with his 192 strikeouts, has a K/BB ratio of 7.71 and a K/9 average of 11.7.

All of this being said, since July 1, Jansen has given up four home runs and has allowed seven earned runs and allowed five inherited runners to score. But while this may seem somewhat un-Kenley Jansen-like, it certainly shouldn’t be a concern or cause for panic among the media or Dodger fans. I mean, did you really think that Jansen was going to go the entire season without allowing any runs to score or giving up any home runs? If so, you are putting the same type of nonsensical and unfair expectations on Jansen that the national media dumped on Clayton Kershaw during the first six weeks of the season.

The only thing wrong with Kenley Jansen is that he occasionally makes a mistake - but then, don't we all? Fortunately, this hanging slider that he threw to Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown ended up in Adrian Gonzalez's glove for a game-ending double play instead of a potentially game-tying triple. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

The only thing wrong with Kenley Jansen is that he occasionally makes a mistake – but then, don’t we all? Fortunately, this flat 95-MPH cutter that he threw to Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown on Thursday ended up in Adrian Gonzalez’s glove for a game-ending double play instead of a game-tying home run. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

In other words, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Kenley Jansen – just as there was nothing wrong with Clayton Kershaw – so please, don’t even go there with the “What’s wrong with Kenley Jansen” thing.

 

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One Response to “When will the ‘What’s wrong with Kenley Jansen’ nonsense begin?”

  1. OldBrooklynFan says:

    It’s always good to have someone like you, Ron to calm everybody down. Kershaw sets the best example. We expect a lot from him and sometimes he disappoints us but we must remember that he bounces back to his great self very well. I’m hoping for the same thing from Jansen.

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