Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch finally spoke the magic words Tuesday afternoon.
"Gregory Soto is our closer," Hinch said at the team's season-ending news conference.
The running joke appeared throughout the season, especially when Soto established himself as an All-Star reliever and the best pitcher in the organization's bullpen. Hinch used Soto in high-leverage save situations all year, but refused to label him the closer.
"But he might pitch the seventh, the eighth or the ninth, and sometimes the sixth," Hinch continued. "So there, I said it. Go with it.