ANAHEIM -- Just look at a quick translation of Francisco Rodriguez's entrance song to see what motivates this young closer.
The words, written by Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Tego Calderon, fuel Rodriguez in his daily goal to nail down his team's victories:
"I'm going to come and take care of business my way, I'm just trying to do my job."
Though, that job just happens to be the most pressure-packed in all of baseball.
It's a job he once tackled by just throwing hard with dazzling movement on his pitches. Since he became the Angels' closer last season, Rodriguez has gone about his business with the same jaw-dropping stuff, yet now with a heightened sense of maturity.
He's not just trying to simply get batters out anymore. Well, he's still getting them out with ease -- it's just he's analyzing what his opponents are looking to do, and pitching them accordingly.
"I've started to realize a little more of the details, and that has made me a better ballplayer," Rodriguez, 24, said. "Game situations, like when somebody wants to get on base, when somebody wants to get a base hit or when somebody just wants to tie the game with a home run."
Last year, there were times at which Rodriguez appeared raw as a closer, none more so than during an August game in Oakland. Upset with a call on his previous pitch, he unassumingly stabbed at catcher Jose Molina's toss back to the mound and dropped it. The mistake allowed the A's to score the winning run and temporarily take control of first place in the American League West.
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim : News : Los Angeles Angels News
Frankie adds brainpower to firepower
Frankie adds brainpower to firepower
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