• Baylor alum a key to Texas Rangers’ postseason success

    Shawn Tolleson

    If the Texas Rangers have the lead this afternoon in their first game of the 2015 postseason — or in any game the rest of the year, for that matter — you can bet that they’ll have a Baylor Bear on the mound in the 9th inning to close out the game.

    The Rangers won the American League West this season and are into the Major League Baseball playoffs for the fourth time in six years. One big reason why is Shawn Tolleson, a former All-Big 12 pitcher for the Bears who was drafted in 2010 and now serves as the Rangers’ closer.

    The North Texas-area native finished the regular season 5th in the AL with 35 saves, compiling a 2.99 ERA and striking out more than a batter an inning. And when you can consider that he didn’t even take over the closer’s role until six weeks into the season, those numbers become even more impressive. From then on, Tolleson led the majors in saves and save percentage.

    Rangers general manager Jon Daniels describes Tolleson as “a real steadying presence… You want to talk about selfless and humble, a great family guy. You want him as your neighbor. He’s a guy you root for. … We wouldn’t be here without him.”

    Sic ’em, Shawn!

    [Tolleson isn’t the only Baylor-Rangers connection; the front office also includes team co-owner Bob Simpson and CFO Kellie Fischer. And Tolleson is one of four Bears to appear in the majors this season; here’s a quick look at the other three.]