Lahti Relishes Role As Cardinal ‘Saver’

Jeff Lahti’s days of being a bridesmaid are finished.

Last year, Lahti, a right-hander, pitched in 63 games for the St. Louis Cardinals but he recorded just one save--the only one in his big-league career going into this season.

The reason was Bruce Sutter.

The usual scenario had Lahti coming in to pitch in the seventh or eighth inning but the moment a batter reached base, in would come Sutter, who tied a major-league record with 45 saves last season.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Bruce but I really had a lot of those saves,” Lahti said. “Sometimes, all he would get would be one out but the save went to him. My job was to just hold them until Bruce got in there.

“I set the table for Bruce. The middle man is the forgotten soldier.”

He did not record that first save until his 116th major-league game on July 4 last year against San Francisco.

But that has changed. As former Cardinal hurler Neil Allen said, “God (Sutter) is in Atlanta.”

Sutter opted for free agency and signed a contract that will pay him around $44 million over the next 36 years.

“I knew we had lost Sutter and I was still here,” Lahti said. “I figured I would get the ball in some save situations. How I did in them would determine if I would keep getting the ball.”

Here it is in September with the Cardinals in a chase for the East Division title and St. Louis manager Whitey Herzog keeps handing the ball to Lahti in key spots.

“He’s doing just what he’s been doing but before he wasn’t doing it in that spot,” Herzog said. “I always thought he could do it. He always did in the seventh and eighth.”

Through Sept. 4, Lahti had amassed 16 saves in 19 save situations. He owned a 3-2 record with a 2.14 ERA in 44 games.

While those are not like the numbers Sutter posted, Lahti has been one of several Herzog has gone to in the clutch. Lefty Ken Dayley is the other prime save man.

Such sharing of the late role with Dayley does not bother Lahti.

“We have some guys who can do the job,” Lahti said. “(Bill) Campbell has been around.”

While many this spring predicted the demise of the Cardinals without Sutter, the bullpen has helped keep St. Louis in first place most of the summer.

“We’ve still got some games to go but this year has been fun,” Lahti said. “I was here in ’82 (World Series year) but I’d have to say this year is more fun because I’m playing a bigger role on the club and with its success.”

The key is Lahti has done the job.

In one stretch, Lahti made nine appearances without allowing a baserunner, retiring 27 consecutive batters.

“I had a perfect game; it just just took me nine times to get it,” Lahti said.

From June 26 through July 27, Lahti came into games with 15 runners on base and kept them all from scoring.

Lahti, 28, relies on two pitches--fastball and slider.

“Most of your top relievers only use two pitches,” Lahti said. “I’ve got a changeup but I’m not going to get beat with it. You’ll have to beat me with my best stuff.”

Lahti has been clocked at a consistent 89 and 90 miles an hour with his fastball this year.

He said he is most comparable to Milwaukee’s Rollie Fingers.

“I’d say I’m like Fingers with the way I use my slider to set up my fastball,” Lahti said. “When a batter comes up knowing he’s facing me, he knows he’s going to get hard stuff and that they’ll be in there for strikes. I don’t walk many batters.”

Lahti said he is suited for his short reliever’s role.

“The key for a short man is to get in there and don’t let the batter reach base. You have to keep that man off base.

“I get the most satisfaction by not allowing any runner I inherit to score. I’m fortunate in that I have a fine defense behind me. I prefer pitching to right-handers. I feel I’m in control.”

Lahti said he learned from Sutter in preparing for this year.

“I saw how he handled himself and picked up on that,” Lahti said. “I’ve always been kind of hyper and when something doesn’t go right, I get a little off the wall.

“After a loss, I’m not the nicest person. But with Bruce, there was always another day. He was the same whether he won or lost.”

Lahti said he does not consider himself a surprise this year.

“I expect to do well every time I got out there,” Lahti said. “I don’t like to make any excuses. I just expect to go out there and do the job.”