Florida Marlins to a World Series win before
signing a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the
New York Mets.
Braden Looper fs ’96 knows all about the sometimes-vicious New York tabloids, well-known for ruthlessly ripping athletes with big, bold back-page headlines.
Looper, an All-American pitcher for Wichita State in the mid-1990s, signed with the New York Mets in early January and is expected to be the team’s closer. It’s a high-profile job in the media capital of the world.
And somewhere at the New York Post or Daily News, you just know there’s a journalist dying to break out a clever headline if Looper should stumble:
BRADEN BLOOPER
Looper says he’s more than ready for the close scrutiny that comes with playing in the pressure cooker that is the Big Apple.
“You hear a lot of things about what it’s like to play in New York, but I look at it like this: If I go there and do what I’m capable of doing, there’s no better place to be,” Looper says from the Mets’ spring training home in Port St. Lucie, Fla. “New York’s a place that if you go there and succeed, it’s gonna be special.”
Given the manner in which Looper performed in October on baseball’s biggest stage, against the sport’s greatest dynasty, his confidence is certainly well-earned.
Pitching for the upstart Florida Marlins, Looper became the World Series star of the moment when he worked out of a crucial jam in Game 4 against the New York Yankees. Months later, he still gets excited talking about the inning, which some credit for turning the Series in the Marlins’ favor.
Looper entered the game in the 11th with the bases loaded, only one out and the score tied at 3. The high-priced, tradition-rich Yankees led the Series 2-1, so the Marlins desperately needed the victory. Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ playoff hero, was at the plate.
“Looking back on it, I realize it was an extremely special moment,” Looper says. “To be honest, when it happened, I couldn’t really comprehend the whole situation. It was so fast. It was like boom, boom, I was up and in the game with the bases loaded. I didn’t have time to think about it.”
Looper got ahead in the count and, after Boone fought off three two-strike pitches, he blew a high fastball by the Yankee third baseman for out No. 2. “The biggest out of my career,” Looper says simply.
Still in a dangerous spot, Looper re-focused and induced weak-hitting John Flaherty into an infield popup for the last out. The surprising Marlins eventually won the game and went on to capture the World Series.
After the glow of the championship wore off, Looper, 29, a hard-throwing right-hander, became a free agent and left Florida after five seasons. In January, he signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Mets.
He is looking forward to living in the New York area during the season with his wife, former Wichita State volleyball player Shannon Kallemeyn ’97 and their two children: 4-year-old daughter Toryn and 1 1⁄2-year-old son Landen.
And the Mets, who craved a power arm, are looking forward to having Looper in the bullpen. The team struggled last season, but rebuilt, and Looper should benefit from one of the National League’s best defenses up the middle. And Mike Piazza will provide a big bat and significant star power.
“We’ve got a good club, man,” Looper says. “We’re good enough that we could shock some people.”
Looper’s career numbers are solid: In 372 professional appearances, he is 19-17 with a 3.70 earned-run average and 46 saves, including a career-high 28 last season. Looper thinks those numbers can improve under the guidance of Rick Peterson, the Mets’ respected pitching coach.
In spring training, Peterson worked with Looper on developing a more effective off-speed pitch to complement what can be an overpowering fastball. “I have a pretty good fastball — especially control and movement wise,” Looper says. “I’ve been working hard on a changeup so I don’t have to be so perfect with the fastball.”
So an inspired Looper, already confident from his World Series performance, is adding a new pitch to go along with his 95-mph fastball. Sounds like trouble for big-league hitters but a blessing for New York headline writers looking for a positive spin:
SUPER LOOPER
Now that has a nice ring to it.
