ST. LOUIS — A statue of Stan Musial greets visitors to Busch Stadium. And the Gateway Arch looms nearby. Friday, Reds manager Jack McKeon sounded prepared to construct a monument to Scott Sullivan, who's on the verge of making baseball history.

        Should Sullivan maintain his major-league lead in relief innings pitched — with 105ô, he entered the weekend 6ö innings ahead of the New York Mets' Rick White — he'd become only the second pitcher to top that category for three years in a row. Hall of Famer and knuckleball specialist Hoyt Wilhelm did it from 1952-54 with the New York Giants.

        McKeon vowed to keep Sullivan ahead of White.

        “He deserves it for what he's done for us through the years,” he said. “He'll take the ball any time. He'll even take it when you don't want him to. I don't think he's bailed out on us in three years.”

        McKeon was aware that sharing the record with Wilhelm wouldn't gain Sullivan much attention.

        “He's been an unsung hero,” McKeon said. “He doesn't get the recognition that a closer gets. But he's a team player. A lot of times we went to him when we had to have a mop-up guy. All good clubs need a guy like Sully.”

        Sullivan reluctantly discussed his endurance.

        “I'm really uncomfortable about this. I don't want to make it sound like a selfish-type endeavor,” he said. “But if I am this close to doing something, it would be nice to accomplish for when I'm old and gray and maybe my grandson will say, "Hey, Granddad, I didn't know you did this.'”

        Sullivan praised his teammates' defense. “Anytime anyone achieves a personal goal, I can assure you it's a team effort. I can't throw it and catch it and run it down.”

        But Sullivan said the Reds' failure to meet their expectations tarnishes his feat.

        “Emotionally, I'm kind of drained, trying to figure out what we could have done better this year,” he said.

Reds 8, Cardinals 1 Box, runs Reds best road draw ever Workhorse Sullivan on record pace

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