Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 29, 1993 TAG: 9309290033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
The Chicago Cubs' reliever increased their value considerably Monday night at Dodger Stadium, when he became the first left-hander in baseball history and the first National League player to save 50 games in a season.
With Florida's Bryan Harvey sidelined by a season-ending injury, Myers is assured of becoming the seventh Cub - and first left-hander - to lead the league in saves.
"It's all opportunities," said the eight-year major-leaguer, who went into Tuesday night's action with 83 strikeouts in 73 innings. "I mean, if I only get 40 opportunities next year, people are going to say I had an off year."
The low point for Myers came Aug. 15 against the San Francisco Giants - on "Randy Myers Poster Day" - when the hostile bleacher occupants littered Wrigley Field with the freebies moments after Myers faltered for one of his six blown saves.
Myers was vilified last year by fans and the media in San Diego despite his 38 saves - one more than the Cubs' entire bullpen-by-committee. This season, he was forced to weather another storm of discontent.
But the clouds have dissipated, and Myers had converted his last 15 opportunities through Monday - the longest streak in team history - to shatter Bruce Sutter's single-season club mark of 37 saves. On Sept. 20, Myers surpassed the NL record of 47 saves that Lee Smith set with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1991.
Only two pitchers in major-league history have more saves in a season than Myers. Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox had 57 saves in 1990, and Dennis Eckersley recorded 51 last season for Oakland.
by CNB