#88 Mike Stanton

About the Front: This is Mike Stanton, evergreen situational lefty of the 1990s and 2000s, not Mike (a.k.a. Giancarlo) Stanton, the power-hitting Marlins outfielder of today. It's a good thing the latter decided to go by Giancarlo, to save us all untold confusion.

About the Back: There's something that tickles me about seeing a journeyman's early-career stat line, before the journey really begun. In Stanton's case, there are still 15 seasons and 7 other teams yet to come. In order: Red Sox, Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Yankees again, Nationals, Red Sox again, Nationals again, Giants, and Reds.

Triple Play: 

1. Mike appeared in the postseason every year from 1991 through 2002, excepting 1994. (I'm so sick of typing that.) In 53 career postseason games, he had a 5-2 record, one save, and a 2.10 ERA. He permitted only one home run in 55.2 total innings. He was even better in 20 World Series games, putting up a 1.54 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.

2. His career total of 1,178 career appearances as a pitcher is second all-time, trailing only Jesse Orosco (1,272).

3. Stanton made his only career start on May 9, 1999, pitching four scoreless innings for the Yankees against Seattle. Jason Grimsley vultured the win with four innings of one-run relief.

11-Year-Old Kevin Says: When I was a kid, I didn't even know about the previous Mike Stanton, a righty pitcher with the Mariners and three other clubs (1975-1985). It was probably for the best.

Bill James Said: "Don't expect 27 saves from him again this year: he lost the closer role in early August, and will have to earn his next shot at it." Stanton instead settled into the LOOGY (lefty one-out guy) role, peaking at eight saves in subsequent years.

On This Date in 1993: October 16. The World Series opener went to the Blue Jays at Skydome, as Curt Schilling was touched up for an uncharacteristic seven runs (six earned). Devon White and John Olerud went deep in the 8-5 Jays win.