Caminero (again) meets goals of 40 HRs, 100 RBIs; 162 starts is next

PHILADELPHIA -- Junior Caminero has put up a lot of big, impressive numbers as the best player on the American League’s best team.

There are three that mean a lot to him: 40, 100 and 162.

Caminero reached the 40-homer mark on Sept. 11, when his first career walk-off homer clinched Tampa Bay’s return to the postseason.

He surpassed the 100-RBI mark in the first inning of the Rays’ 12-1 win over the reeling Phillies on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, their 15th victory in the past 21 games and their 98th of the season. The All-Star third baseman blasted a two-run homer off Aaron Nola, his 42nd of the season, to reach 101 RBIs on the year.

“We were looking for that,” Caminero said. “We were looking for another season with 100 RBIs. Thank God we complete[d it]. Very happy.”

And Caminero should check the box next to “162” in Sunday afternoon’s regular-season finale, weather permitting. 

Assuming Caminero starts at third base, as he has done all year, he will become the fourth player in MLB’s divisional era (since 1969) to start 162 games at the hot corner in a season, joining Vinny Castilla (1998 Rockies), Cal Ripken Jr. (1997 Orioles) and Sal Bando (1969 A’s).

That will also make Caminero only the fourth player in franchise history to play in 162 games in a season, along with Evan Longoria (2014), Delmon Young (2007) and Aubrey Huff (2003).

“The fact that he's able to play a premium position at third base, and he wants to play every day -- I mean, the makeup of a true superstar,” left fielder Chandler Simpson said. “He’s been that and more for us this year. It just speaks to everything about him. I mean, not only is he a great player, he's a great person at that, a great teammate.”

And a good example of the Rays’ culture, as veteran starter Nick Martinez said. Martinez noted the way shortstop Taylor Walls, outfielder Victor Mesa Jr., Simpson and others have played through nagging injuries this year and tied it back to Caminero’s daily presence in their lineup.

“It’s amazing. What a feat. The best teams have guys that post. They play. You look at really good ballclubs, their best guys are playing every single day,” Martinez said. “And Junior, he's been posting for us. He's been out there every single game and fighting for it. He takes a lot of pride in playing every single game, and that sets a culture, right?”

What Caminero has done to stay on the field every day is another reminder of the growth he has shown in only his second full Major League season.

While he blasted 45 homers and drove in 110 runs while playing 154 last year, he was slowed in September by a nagging back issue. Manager Kevin Cash recalled times late last season when the young star looked tired.

That hasn’t been the case this year. Caminero has worked relentlessly on his hitting and defense before every game, and his play at third base has improved as the season has gone on.

“I think he went into the offseason maybe feeling that and saying, ‘I'm going to do everything I can not to allow that to happen again,’” Cash said. “A ton of offseason work, and then he's been able to maintain it this year with getting in a really good routine.”

“I’m very happy to play 162 this year, and that means a lot because we stayed healthy all year,” Caminero said. “Thank God for giving me this opportunity and Kevin Cash for giving me this opportunity to play 162.”

Of course, what Caminero has done in the batter’s box is what has made him a potential AL MVP candidate. He’s tied with Yordan Alvarez for the second-most homers in the AL, trailing only Pete Alonso, and he’s third in RBIs behind Alonso (113) and Alvarez (105).

The Rays have had three 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons in franchise history: Carlos Peña’s 2007 campaign, and each of Caminero’s full seasons with Tampa Bay.

Since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920, only nine players have recorded multiple 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons within their first four MLB campaigns: Ralph Kiner (three such seasons from 1947-49), Eddie Mathews (three from 1953-55), Chuck Klein (1929-30), Troy Glaus (2000-01), Albert Pujols (2003-04), Ryan Howard (2006-07), Nolan Arenado (2015-16), Alonso (2019 and ‘22) and Caminero.

Caminero also joined Peña (2007-09), Fred McGriff (1999-2000), Huff (2003-04) and Longoria (2009-10) as the only Rays with consecutive 100-RBI seasons.

“Special season for an incredibly talented young player,” Cash said.