BOSTON — Kenley Jansen got up from his locker in the home clubhouse at Fenway Park on Monday afternoon and announced a request.
"Guys, I need a new hat. This hat stinks. I gave up six runs in it," the pitcher called out to clubhouse attendants across the room, before punctuating it with a four-letter expletive.
Laughter erupted. Jansen was relaxed, even fresh off blown saves on consecutive days over the weekend. Those two appearances, both against the St. Louis Cardinals, were by far his worst of the season. He was untouchable until last Friday, giving up just one run with 17 strikeouts to three walks in his first 12 games. He had reached another peak at age 35.
