Rudy Seanez, Do Anything - 24

Originally published Sept. 8, 2012

The Braves needed someone to close out the game and Rudy Seanez came in and did the job in July 1998, setting down four without giving up a hit.

It was Seanez' first save in three years, his fourth save over his big league career. It was also an example of Seanez doing what was needed.

"They're all big for me," Seanez told The Associated Press of the save after the game. "I'll do anything they want me to do. I just go out and pitch."

By the time he was done, Seanez did what was wanted of him in 17 total big league seasons, one that saw him play in the postseason four times and not throw his final professional pitch until he was 40.

Seanez' career began in 1986, taken by the Indians in the fourth round of the draft, out of Brawley Union High School in California.

Seanez started at rookie Burlington, playing his next three seasons largely at single-A. He played much of 1989 at single-A Kinston, got one outing at AAA Colorado Springs, then went directly to Cleveland.

With the Indians, and with hardly any experience above single-A, Seanez got into five games in relief that September, giving up two earned runs in five innings of work.

Seanez returned to the Indians for 24 outings in 1990, posting a 5.60 ERA, then five unsuccessful outings in 1991. Over his first five seasons with time in the majors, though, Seanez never got into more than 24 games.

In his sixth season, 1995, Seanez got into 37 games, but didn't see the majors again until 1998. In 1998, though, Seanez began coming into his own, getting into 38 games that year for the Braves and a then-career-high 56 games in 1999.

By 2005, Seanez was still going, having gone through five organizations since his days with Atlanta. In 2004, he posted an ERA of 3.33 in 39 outings between Florida and Kansas City. In 2005, at age 36, his ERA dipped to 2.69 in 57 outings with the Padres.

He signed for 2006 with the Red Sox, telling reporters he still had plenty left, with an off season regimen of weightlifting and mixed martial arts, according to MLB.com.

"Just gaining control and command of my pitches," Seanez told MLB.com of his success. "I had that for a brief time in Atlanta (1998-2001), but I had a couple of injuries along the way that kind of sidetracked me a little bit. It was kind of tough to get back, but I feel like I've gotten back to the level I was at prior to these injuries. I just look forward to having some success there in Boston."

Seanez ended up playing in 41 games for Boston in 2006, moving to San Diego at year's end. He then moved to the Dodgers for 2007, getting into a career high of 73 games, with a 3.79 ERA. He last played in the majors in 2008, with 42 games with Philadelphia, then threw his final pro pitch at AAA with the Angels in 2009.

Seanez has since opened his own training academy, Seanez Sports Academy, in Imperial, Ca., near his hometown.

• Lexington Dispatch, Associated Press, July 17, 1998: Maddux picks up 13th win
• MLB.com, Dec. 21, 2005: Seanez out to prove himself in Boston