It's About Time!

Under the category of "Good Things Come to Those Who Wait":
Before the past 3 weeks, Alan Embree had pitched in 729 games, all but four of them in relief. How many saves did he have to show for his efforts? Would you believe a total of 8? Now, suddenly, at the age of 37, with A's closer Huston Street on the DL, Embree has gotten the chance to be a closer, at least temporarily, after 15 years of toil with eight different clubs. And he's making the most of it, with 7 saves in his first eight chances.

Al Reyes of Tampa Bay has a similar story. The 37-year-old Dominican bounced between the majors and minors for 11 years, 1995-2005, earning a total of six saves in almost 300 games. After not appearing in the majors at all last year, he won the closing role this year, and has responded with a perfect 17 saves in 17 opportunities. There's a lesson in persevering to make your dreams come true in these guys' stories.