Keith Foulke was the Red Sox closer in 2004 when they won their 1st WS in 86 years. Foulke won 1 of those games and saved the final game as he tossed the ground ball he fielded to Doug Mientkiewicz. After allowing 1 little run in 11 postseason games that year, knee surgery the next year hastened his downfall. He retired before 2007 due to injuries, and came back to work the next year in the Oakland A’s bullpen, albeit just another arm rather than closer. His cell phone has been quiet ever since.
Foulke finds himself in Newark, NJ this year closing for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League where he has a 2.41 ERA and 9 saves. He is 36 years old and looks across the river where the Yankees have an aging, yet still effective 40 yo closer and says that he doesn’t want to retire yet.
Fenway West wishes him good thoughts and good luck on his quest to hook up with a major league team as the trading deadline surfaces on yonder horizon. A tip of the cap to Star Ledger sports columnist Steve Politi for asking if Rivera is done, and pointing out that Foulke is pitching just 5 miles from Yankee Stadium.
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