As the Brewers get ready to report to spring training, we'll be taking a look this week at various players who should, could or might approach notable milestones this season. We'll start today with a look at John Axford.
Axford, of course, set a franchise record and led the National League with 46 saves last season. He now has 71 for his career, which is fifth all time among Brewers. If he closes out 27 games this season he'll move into sole possession of second place:
Pitcher | Saves | Saves Needed To Pass |
Dan Plesac | 133 | 63 |
Rollie Fingers | 97 | 27 |
Bob Wickman | 79 | 9 |
Mike Fetters | 79 | 9 |
John Axford | 71 | n/a |
41 of Axford's 71 saves have come at Miller Park. He needs seven more to pass Francisco Cordero for that record:
Pitcher | Career Saves At Miller Park |
Francisco Cordero | 47 |
John Axford | 41 |
Derrick Turnbow | 41 |
Trevor Hoffman | 33 |
Dan Kolb | 28 |
37 of Cordero's 47 saves came as a Brewer, while ten more came as a member of the Reds. Axford and Turnbow are tied for the career record for saves at Miller Park as a Brewer, with 41 each.
Last season Axford became just the second Brewer ever to record 40 saves, and the tenth ever to record 30. If he passes 30 again this season he'll join Dan Plesac as the only Brewers ever to save more than 30 games twice.