BY MIKE CORMACK
sportsnet.ca
TORONTO -- In most cases, taking the mound down 6-2 in the top of the ninth inning would be considered nothing more than a mop-up assignment for a reliever.
But for Jason Frasor on Sunday, it was far more significant.
His appearance on the Rogers Centre mound marked the 453rd time he toed the rubber while wearing a Blue Jays uniform, allowing him to surpass Duane Ward for the most appearances in franchise history.
Frasor -- who since arriving from the Dodgers in a 2004 trade that sent Jayson Werth to Hollywood has married a Torontonian, bought a condo and taking ownership of a "Canadian dog" -- said he had much different goals upon arriving here than setting club records.
"In 2004, you’re just trying to stay on the team, establish yourself, do well," he explained in the Jays clubhouse afterwards. "I don’t know what the life span of a relief pitcher is, but there’s always guys coming up behind you, wanting to take your spot. I never could have imagined it."
In certainly hasn’t been a smooth road to the record.
Despite possessing a fastball most relievers would kill for, Frasor has struggled to find a consistent role-- and produce consistent numbers-- over the past decade.
As a result, the 33-year-old Chicago native has been forced to pitch his way into the Blue Jays record books one, one-year deal at a time, eight times in all.
Also standing in his way were a pair of "hairy" springs (2007 and 2008) in which he wasn’t sure he was going to make the team.
Frasor credits his success in recent years to Jays pitching coach Bruce Walton, bullpen coach Pat Hentgen, pitching co-ordinator Rick Langford and ex-MLB pitcher Doug Bochtler, the latter for helping him with his changeup.
"I’ve adapted and I’ve settled down and stopped worrying about things," he said. "The changes made all the difference. These great relievers have short memories. It took me a while to learn that. It’s not easy to do."
But despite the ups and downs, Frasor-- whose name is sure to come up in trade rumours with the July 31 deadline approaching-- has enjoyed his time in Toronto and hopes to get the chance to add to his record tally.
"It’s been eight great years, man," he said. "And I don’t know how many more, but if (the Blue Jays) offer me a contract, I’d love to keep coming back."
