ATLANTA — On Wednesday night at Truist Park, the visitor’s clubhouse didn’t open to reporters as quickly as it usually does. That’s because the Red Sox were throwing Kenley Jansen a party.
Minutes after Jansen became just the seventh pitcher in MLB history to register 400 career saves, his teammates and coaches honored him with a clubhouse celebration. There were speeches, gifts and presentations… and even tears.
“It was very emotional there,” Manager Alex Cora said. “It was cool.”
About 10 days ago, when it became clear to Jansen’s teammates that he was closing in on the 400-save milestone, plans were hatched for how the team would celebrate the feat. Justin Turner, who spent almost a decade as Jansen’s teammate in Los Angeles before reuniting with him this year in Boston, took a leading role. Turner worked with team officials to create a tribute video that Jansen could watch immediately after he saved his 400th game. As a team, the Red Sox gifted Jansen a bass guitar — the instrument he plays — that commemorated the feat.
“I probably won’t play that one. I might play it one time,” Jansen said. “That’s definitely going to go onto the wall as a souvenir.”
The tribute video included messages from Jansen’s family as well as former teammates Clayton Kershaw, Eric Gagne, Russell Martin, A.J. Ellis and some friends like Andruw Jones, Jurickson Profar and Jonathan Schoop. Turner praised the Sox’s public relations staff for helping get so many important people from Jansen’s past involved.
“I think the most important thing was him seeing the video from so many people that share the same sentiment as I do, and care for him and love him,” Turner said. “I don’t think he anticipated that was coming. I didn’t watch the video. I was kind of watching him watch the video and I think that was pretty special.”
Cora concurred.
“A lot of good messages from a lot of good people,” he said.
By the time reporters entered the clubhouse about 20 minutes after Jansen sealed a 5-2 win over the Braves with a scoreless ninth, the loud celebration was winding down, though singing and chanting could be heard from inside the locker room.
The Red Sox celebrate all their wins in various forms, but it was clear Wednesday’s was special.
“It can’t be better than that, just being with all them boys,” Jansen said. “It’s unbelievable, man. I appreciate all the gifts.
“All those teammates, man, all of them. It can’t get better, seeing all the old faces. Coaches. That’s great, man. Plus my teammates, it’s awesome. It’s a moment that I will never forget.”
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