best closer EVAR

[Uncle Rico]

this list starts and ends with mariano rivera. the guy is just awesome. this post doesn't have to do with getting out of the bases loaded no out jam up one run. it has to do with the fact that even in that situation you knew he could get out of it just as easily as he got into it. he has been doing this for his whole career with just a cut fastball for the most part. he is truly awesome and he is really fun to watch.

 

[TheFied]

The control and velocity that he still has on his slider is amazing.

 

[Beau Vine]

sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3475373

 

[Joe Fan]

I am mildly suprised there are so many yankees-related posts and threads here. There are at least 5 seperate ones right now on page 1. I guess their dominance of the national media, especially the seemingly never-ending coverage on ESPN and the national radio syndicate carries over and generates the issues/ideas?

 

[cochamps]

One poster here seems to have an obsession with all things NYY.

 

[TheFied]

I'm not surprised. I'll looking for something compelling on tv. This is the dog days of summer.

And in HD. I can't watch baseball (unless UT) if not in HD. I'm not a Yankees fans or Sox fan.

 

[badexcuse]

At 38, having his best year ever, and perhaps the greatest save by a reliever ever. Yes - he's the best.

 

[Horns11]

The position of "closer" is actually a fairly recent addition to baseball lore, considering "closers" used to pitch 2+ innings like Gossage, Sutter, Lee Smith, etc.

So for "modern" closers, yeah I'd probably agree Rivera is the best. But he's not the best reliever of all time.

 

[coolhorn]

Rivera's the best closer of the last decade or so...my vote for best all time goes to Gossage. He was flat frightening to the last three batters.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

No mention of Dennis Eckersley?

HHD

 

[Uncle Rico]

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[BornOrange]

While flipping channels today, I saw a stat on ESPN about Gossage. He had either 52 or 54 saves where he had to get 7 or more outs. You don't see many relievers go 2 1/3 innings anymore to close out a game.

Guys since Eckersley have been coming into the game in the 9th inning to "close the door". Before that, closers would often enter the game in the seventh or eighth inning. The game has become much more specialized.

I wonder how Gossage would do in today's game.

 

[Horn69]

[Letterman] "Rumors of a Madonna/Alex Rodriguez sex tape. And here's the weird part: Alex brings Mariano Rivera in to close." [/Letterman]

Hook'em!!!

 

[Uncle Rico]

anyone that watched Rivera throw last night should quit watching baseball if they think anyone but Rivera is the best ever.

the dude probably threw 15 pitches and never once missed a spot. he didn't even miss by a few inches and he didn't break a sweat. the guy is flat out incredible. as a lefty you sit there shitting your pants waiting on the cutter inside and he paints the outside black at the knees. when he misses, he misses exactly where he wants to miss.

i'm in awe. he is pure greatness and a yankee i will never boo.

 

[Bob in Houston]

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[Beau Vine]

I really liked Jim Caple's article on closers yesterday.

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[Uncle Rico]

ok, then the best closer of the modern era of closnig is hands down Rivera. everyone happy now?

 

[Bob in Houston]

As long as the modern era starts in about 1989.

 

[Uncle Rico]

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[DAGMAR]

K Rod has not come in before the 9th inning or inherited any runners this year and yet he is having "one of the greatest seasons for a closer." The modern closer is the most overrated position in sports by a wide wide margin

 

[wherzwaldo]

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[Uncle Rico]

i never knew it was going to be this difficult saying that mariano rivera is good

 

[Bob in Houston]

Hey, finished it off yesterday with one pitch.