Kenley Jansen

Kenley Geronimo Jansen (born September 30, 1987) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. Signed by the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in 2004, Jansen converted from a catcher to a relief pitcher in the minor leagues and made his major league debut in 2010. He served as the Dodgers' closer starting in 2012, and led the National League (NL) in saves in 2017 and 2022. After 11 years in the major leagues with the Dodgers, he entered free agency and signed a one-year deal with the Braves. Jansen is a four-time MLB All-Star and two-time NL Reliever of the Year (2016, 2017). In 2019, Jansen became the 30th pitcher to reach 300 career saves. In 2023, he became the 7th pitcher to total 400 career saves. Early life Jansen was born in Willemstad, Curaçao, the youngest of three sons of Isidor and Bernadette Jansen. His father worked in construction until suffering a stroke when Kenley was 12; his mother is a travel agent. Jansen grew up as a Braves fan, because the team's games were broadcast in Curaçao on TBS. The team later signed fellow Curaçaoan Andruw Jones and Jansen's older brother Ardley. Kenley Jansen began playing baseball at the age of six, alongside his brothers. He began as an outfielder before moving to shortstop. Jansen then met Andrelton Simmons, and was shifted to third base. He later played first base and catcher.