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BALTIMORE -- Last Wednesday, Scott Downs became the Blue Jays closer on a full-time basis.
There was no reason for the left-hander to celebrate.
Downs had assumed the role back in May on a fill-in basis, the plan being he would hold down the fort while his good friend and teammate, B.J. Ryan, got healthy and sorted himself out. But that never happened.
"We were teammates for four years and we pretty much did everything together," Downs said yesterday of his bond with the recently released Ryan.
Closers, as a general rule, are thought to be different beasts. They have to be fearless, highly competitive, have a swagger and own a short memory.
Not everyone is suited for the role and the number of relievers who have tried it and failed is a lengthy one.
"Maybe you have to have a little different mentality, I don't know," Downs said of his expectations.
"Being a closer, it's such a difficult position that I try not to think about it like that. I just try to go out there, get the three outs and try to help the team win.
"I've matured a lot over the years and I've learned from one of the best closers that was out there for a while (Ryan).
"Being around him has taught me a lot and I've taken that with me out on the mound, the mentality that he was trying to teach, to take the ball whenever asked and get back in the dugout as fast as you can."
mike.rutsey@sunmedia.ca
