Dodgers: Kenley Jansen Credits Therapy for Resurgence, Hints at Last Year With LA
It’s been a season of high highs and some low lows for Kenley Jansen in 2021. The 2-time NL reliever of the year put together an All-Star worthy first half, but struggled early on in the second half blowing three saves in five days and getting booed by the Dodger Stadium crowd after he failed to slam the door shut on the Giants in late July.
Kenley has since bounced back nicely, having converted nine of his last nine save opportunities and is looking more like the dominant closer from the first half.
The Big Fella has displayed a newfound level of mental toughness that he credits to weekly therapy sessions that he began following the 2020 season. We discuss Kenley Jansen’s comments on therapy being a ‘game-changer’ and him hinting that this could be his last year with the Dodgers.
Plus, should LA consider re-signing him, and is Kenley a Hall of Famer?
WATCH
Kenley sat down with Bill Plunkett of the OC Register to chat about his realization that he needed help.
“I finally accepted after the World Series that I need help. I need help, let’s start with mentally. This game is too hard. It can be too hard on you mentally.”
The closer is 2-4 on the season with a 2.60 ERA in 55 games — his best season since 2017. Over his career, the 3-time All-Star has recorded 342 saves in 387 tries, good for 14th all time.
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NEXT: Clayton Kershaw’s Return to the Rotation Outlined by Dave Roberts
Sometimes a player believes a change of scenery is necessary but I’m also convinced the fans booing him has had a hand in him hinting he may want to go elsewhere.
Let him move on . Lots of saves and lots of losses. Give it to Blake T in 2022 ( or before).
Cody B can move on with him .
If Cody B had been hustling down the line on his grounder leading off the top of the 5th , last night (Friday Sept 3), who knows what might have happened . Belt was going to under hand flip the ball and it looked like it may have been a close play and the pitcher may have muffed the catch , except that when Belt saw that Cody was jogging he just took it himself ! NO hustle by Cody . Plenty of reasons and or excuses for a slump , but lack of hustle and trying …no excuses.
All time Dodger saves leader, future HOF, the Dodgers don’t let class acts, real Dodgers leave.
Moved positions with the Dodgers, grew up a Dodger, will remain a Dodger, & retire a Dodger.
Future HOF #74
Agree Jansen is a real Dodger…but think is gone along with Seager…another Dodger great…big losses coming
You are absolutely right had he been running hard I believe he would have beat Belt to the bag. I seem to recall Roberts pulling him from a game before for the exact same reason. However, Bellinger did do a pretty good impression of Manny Machado doing his typical jog to first after hitting an infield ground ball.
KEEP JANSEN. EVERY CLOSER GOES THRU UPS & DOWNS OVER A LONG CAREER. HE IS A GAMER.
I wonder if Friedman knows that teams are allowed to expand their rosters in September. I mean there’s absolutely no reason Bellinger should be in the lineup right now.