Keith Foulke (born October 19, 1972 in Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota) is a right-handed closer who plays for the Boston Red Sox. Before signing with the Red Sox prior to the 2004 season, he played for the San Francisco Giants (1997), Chicago White Sox (1997-2002) and Oakland Athletics (2003). Foulke had been one of the top closers in baseball. He used to have an effective 90 MPH fastball and what many people consider to be one of the best circle changeups in the game. While he is solid against right-handed hitters, he is particularly lethal against lefties. His strikeout pitch is usually a circle changeup in at the hands of the batter. However Foulke battled injury problems with his knees in 2005. His ERA ballooned to over 5.00 and he lost his closer job to Mike Timlin. Foulke currently shares a "set-up" role with Timlin, as Jonathan Papelbon has taken over the closer role. Foulke has good control, as his career 4.01 strikeout-to-walk ratio reveals (625-156). While he doesn't hold runners particularly well, he covers his position adequately and throws accurately to the bases. In 2004, he completed a fifth straight season without committing an error (71 total chances in 307 games).
In an eight-year career, Foulke has compiled a 33-28 record, with 625 strikeouts, 175 saves, a 3.04 ERA, 344 games finished, and 660 1/3 innings pitched in 501 games. His 2004 season finished with a 5-3 record, 32 saves, and a 2.17 ERA, a figure second only to his 2.08 ERA in 2003. Foulke gave up only one run in the 2004 postseason and, notably, closed the final game of the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Highlights
All-Star (2003) American League Rolaids Relief Award (2003) Led league in saves (2003) Twice led league in games finished (2001, 2003) Twice Top 10 American League Cy Young Award (1999, 2003) Random Info
Comes into the game to "Mother" by Danzig
