Case Closed: Drew Permison equals C's record on Friday night
The response from Schneider was simple, "show me you want the ball and then you will be my closer".
It's always a tough road for those who are asked to slam the door on the opposition with the game usually on the line. The Minor Leagues is a grind between the travel, constantly changing line-up cards and grueling schedules, you are asked day after day to simply 'be ready' to come in and be perfect in securing a victory.
When Permison looks back at the 2011 season, let's hope he can see just how much he truly accomplished after asking his manager where he stood.
In June, the 'Perminator' was flawless for the Canadians grabbing saves in six of his first seven appearances including an opening night save against the Yakima Bears in front of a sellout crowd of 5,157 screaming fans out at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The beginning of July challenged the native of Columbia, MD as he struggled against the Eugene Emeralds on July 3rd giving up a pair of earned runs while walking two. A few days later and Permison was on the mound to face the Spokane Indians in a hotly contested series where he would waiver once more giving up another pair of runs in just 2/3 inning of work. His ERA had ballooned from 0.00 all the way up to 3.60 in the blink of an eye and suddenly the closer simply wasn't closing.
But while some would question themselves, Permison persevered.
After his struggles against the Indians, Permison would get right back on the horse and dazzle, going 14 straight appearances without so much as a lone run. His ERA went from 3.60 all the way down to 1.37 with ten saves. He had the swagger of a closer once more and the rest of the Northwest League took notice.
As manager's from around the league filled out their All-Star nomination forms, one after another wrote Drew Permison on the allotted line for top closer in the NWL.
Just days after securing his league-leading 13th save of the summer, Permison was informed he had been named a Northwest League All-Star. This after blasting out of the gates, hitting the wall mid-season, but being strong enough both physically and mentally to fight through his woes and re-establish himself as the best in the Northwest.
On September 2nd, Permison hit another mark grabbing his 15th save of the summer against the Boise Hawks helping Vancouver lock down a 3-2 victory in a game that snapped a three-game losing streak.
The save would tie him for the most saves by a Vancouver Canadians pitcher in franchise history alongside RHP Paul Smyth from 2009.
The numbers are fantastic.
15 saves, an ERA of 1.69, 27 strikeouts to just eight walks and most importantly? He is a perfect 5-for-5 in save opportunities on the road, a place that the Canadians will have to figure out if they are to win a Northwest League Championship this summer.
It's a season of highs and lows for each and every Vancouver Canadians on our roster - but the question "Am I still your closer?" need no longer be asked by Drew Permison. Not only are you the closer, you're one of the best in franchise history.