|
2001 Eastern Conference Reliever of the Year
LONG ISLAND — October 2001
You talk about slamming the door, turning out the lights, and sending everybody home — that’s exactly what Jose Jacomino did night after night in 2001. And now, the hard-throwing right-hander has earned the recognition to match. The Long Island Islanders’ flame-throwing closer has been named the Eastern Conference Reliever of the Year — and folks, let me tell you, it was no contest.
Thirty-six saves. Fifty-six appearances. Fifty-eight innings of stingy, bone-dry relief. A sparkling 2.48 ERA. And only a dozen walks to go with 49 punchouts. Those aren’t just good numbers — those are the kind of numbers that send hitters back to the dugout shaking their heads.
"I hope I can pitch like this every year," Jacomino said with a grin, the kind of quiet confidence you expect from a man who turns ninth innings into shutdown ceremonies.
He didn’t just get the job done — he dominated the vote, racking up 16 first-place nods out of 36 possible. That left Columbus’s David Arreguin, who had a stellar year himself, in the rearview mirror with 11 first-place votes, while Antonio Mata of Florida rounded out the top three.
Let’s take a look at how the voting stacked up:
Player Team First Place Votes Total Points
Jose Jacomino Long Island Islanders 16 130
David Arreguin Columbus Blue Jackets 11 70
Antonio Mata Florida Panthers 3 51
Brad Corkum Florida Panthers 4 48
Miguel Rivera Washington Capitals 2 25
Jacomino’s season wasn’t flashy — it was clinical. He didn’t rely on theatrics. He brought the heat, he painted corners, and when the pressure built, he never blinked. Managers game-planned around him. Hitters dreaded him. Teammates trusted him.
And now he’s the best reliever in the East. Officially.
So next time you hear that bullpen door swing open and see Jacomino jogging in, just know — for the opposition, it’s closing time.
|