# Elias Sosa
A nice candid shot of a guy looking relaxed and content with his role on the team. Perhaps it’s between innings or he’s in the bullpen during an inning, maybe even during batting practice before a game. You gotta love cards that make you feel like you’re there just hanging out with the player for a few minutes.
Elias Sosa was never the big time closer like Rollie Fingers or Goose Gossage. He only earned 83 career saves, but don’t let that fool you. Sosa was a very reliable reliever in his day. Of all the bullpen hurlers from 1901-1983 (last season of Sosa’s career), Sosa was one of only 16 players with less than 50 career starts, to appear in over 600 games.
1982 was the beginning of his downhill period, after a five year stretch of eliteness that nearly passes you by because he wasn’t used as a closer. From 1977-1981, he posted a 142 ERA+. Sounds pretty impressive by itself eh? It’s even more impressive when you see that places him on a short list of pitchers during that period. He’s one of only six pitchers during that period to throw 300+ innings and have an ERA+ of 140 or higher. That list includes Gossage and Sutter.
For three of those five seasons, Elias Sosa wasn’t used as a closer, so nobody remembers his great stretch anymore. In 1979, he put up a gorgeous 1.96 ERA over 96 2/3 IP!! After that, he was no longer the closer in Montreal. That was the third & final time he was the closer for his team over his twelve year career. If Sosa played these days, he’d probably be used as an elite closer, and post up be good for 200-300 career saves.
A few Elias Sosa stats that might surprise you—
- Was 3rd in ROY voting for 1973
- Did his best in July & August, posting a 2.97 ERA
- 83 saves, and only 18 blown saves
- With 2 outs & runners in scoring position, he only allowed a slim .324 OBP for 602 PA’s
- Had a 1.27 ERA & 3-0 record lifetime against the Twins
- He was 10-7, 2.88 ERA, in Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
