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Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Est\u00e9vez treated Saturday\u2019s arrival to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, like any other game.<\/p>\n
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He was ready to pitch if his name was called.<\/p>\n
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In many ways, that\u2019s the life of a high-leverage reliever. Est\u00e9vez is expected to shut the door each time the bullpen phone rings. And it\u2019s quite easy to get caught up in the daily grind of a 162-game regular season.<\/p>\n
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So unbeknownst to him, Est\u00e9vez didn\u2019t realize how far he had climbed on the Major League Baseball saves leaderboard. He knew he had at least 40 saves<\/a> after reaching that milestone in recent weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It took Royals manager Matt Quatraro, some teammates and even his wife to alert him to the novelty of his 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy wife told me something about it and I was like, \u2018I don\u2019t know, I\u2019ve got to check,\u2019 you know,\u201d Est\u00e9vez said. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t check and when I came in, (Quatraro) told me and I was like, \u2018That\u2019s pretty sick.\u2019 And then, (Cole) Ragans told me later, \u2018Oh man, you just need one more and you will lead the league.\u2019 I didn\u2019t know and was like, \u2018Let\u2019s get it done tonight.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez earned his 42nd save against the Athletics on Saturday. He is the second Royal to lead the majors in saves, joining Dan Quisenberry (1980 and 1983).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the game, Est\u00e9vez was celebrated in the clubhouse. He received the game ball and described how special it was to share the moment with his teammates.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt means a lot because what these guys have been giving us the whole year,\u201d Est\u00e9vez said. \u201cThe effort, you know, playing hard behind us. That means that they feel the same way about us. Getting those saves, I know they are going to have my back, doesn\u2019t matter what it is, and I\u2019m glad they felt the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals improved to 81-80<\/a> with Saturday\u2019s win.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez joined the Royals this offseason. He didn\u2019t expect to record over 40 saves, but his presence has made a positive impact in the clubhouse. Several young players come to him for advice, and the coaching staff trusts him in the late innings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an absolute stud,\u201d starter Michael Wacha said. \u201cHe\u2019s been great for us since day one. He\u2019s a true stopper out there. He has that knack for shutting the door and, you know, not giving up anything. It\u2019s a good feeling as a starter knowing that you\u2019ve got some nasty guys in the (bullpen). Definitely having Est\u00e9vez there to shut the door and bring it home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez finished ahead<\/a> of San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez for the MLB lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n