Zeal and ferocity can take many forms, big and small. Paul Molitor is reminded of that by Matt Belisle before every Twins game, during the most otherwise mundane ritual.
"When he comes in that dugout before the game, and we all fist bump down the line with the relievers before they head out, he hits me a little harder than most," Molitor said of the unquestioned leader of the Twins bullpen. "He's got a lot of intensity about what he does."
It's a fervor reminiscent, in fact, of a soldier, which is how Belisle sometimes describes himself in relation to his unit — the Twins, and its relief corps in particular. Belisle never enlisted in the military, never served in a squadron, and he would object to any suggestion that playing baseball for a small fortune is in any way comparable. But he still takes inspiration from the armed services in how he approaches his job, his team and every inning of every game.
"You just take the ball when you're told to, and do everything you possibly can to accomplish your task," Belisle said. "I feel that's my duty as a reliever. It's an honor to be able to pitch in the big leagues, and my role has nothing to do with what inning I'm asked to pitch. It's, when someone points you in the right direction, let's go."
The inning he pitches has changed of late, however, if his devotion to duty, honor and accomplishment have not. When the team traded All-Star closer Brandon Kintzler to Washington on July 31, Molitor and his coaches debated who should step into such a conspicuous and often glamorous role. They chose the player who dodges attention and disdains glamour more than any other.
And though Belisle has mostly thrived since being given the battlefield promotion — he's held batters to a .184 average since Kintzler departed, has struck out 16 batters and walked only three in 11 innings, and recorded seven saves in eight opportunities — Belisle says he's only vaguely aware of his success, and not at all concerned about having the title of "closer."
"The spotlight is something that comes from outside this clubhouse, and I don't pay any attention to that," Belisle says of the new role. "I enjoy winning. I couldn't care less about what inning, I guess. When you sign a contract to pitch for the team, it says nothing about when."
Molitor gave it a lot of thought, though, and while he said Kintzler's departure has made it necessary to entrust more than one pitcher with greater responsibilities, he has largely turned to Belisle in the ninth inning, despite recording only five saves in his 14-year career.