August 6, 200818 yr The most overrated position in sports Interesting take on the (d)evolution of the closer/fireman role. Thoughts???
August 6, 200818 yr Interesting read for sure with some pretty impressive data. I can't blieve FRod hasn't pitched with a runner on base this season! That is NUTS!
August 6, 200818 yr Author Interesting read for sure with some pretty impressive data. I can't blieve FRod hasn't pitched with a runner on base this season! That is NUTS! Where'd you read that? He's got runners all over the basepaths when he pitches (almost always put on base by him).
August 6, 200818 yr Very good article and question. The game has changed a lot, over the last 30± years and the "Closer" role, is an aspect that have changed. Often 2 innings or more, was the norm. Now, usually start the 9th with a lead and that is it, perhaps on occasion a tie but rare. Those teams who have successful records, late in the game would argue necessity and those teams who struggle, would like to have a closer. It's part of the game today but most games are won/lost, in the 4th-7th innings to me. The diversity of the closers, from 75mph to 95±mph is amazing. Seems everyone can hit a 90+ fastball, except when the closer enters the game.
August 6, 200818 yr Interesting read for sure with some pretty impressive data. I can't blieve FRod hasn't pitched with a runner on base this season! That is NUTS! He hasn't entered a game with a runner on.
August 6, 200818 yr He hasn't entered a game with a runner on. That's what I meant. It's under the caption of his picture. I thought that was amazing! I guess in my mind I think about the bases jacked and the closer has to come in and mow people down.
August 6, 200818 yr The most overrated position in sports Interesting take on the (d)evolution of the closer/fireman role. Thoughts??? Tell that to the St. Louis Cardinals this year. If they had a good closer they would be in 1st place.
August 7, 200818 yr For anyone who found that article interesting: Read "Moneyball". Great book with some very interesting thoughts regarding baseball.
August 7, 200818 yr Very good article and question. The game has changed a lot, over the last 30± years and the "Closer" role, is an aspect that have changed. Often 2 innings or more, was the norm. Now, usually start the 9th with a lead and that is it, perhaps on occasion a tie but rare. Those teams who have successful records, late in the game would argue necessity and those teams who struggle, would like to have a closer. It's part of the game today but most games are won/lost, in the 4th-7th innings to me. The diversity of the closers, from 75mph to 95±mph is amazing. Seems everyone can hit a 90+ fastball, except when the closer enters the game. In addition to his dominance, that's what makes Mariano Rivera the best closer now and all-time, IMO. He can pitch 3 innings for the Yanks if necessary...many times Torre would put him in in the 8th inning when the opponent was threatening. Rivera would shut the door, then come back out in the ninth and finish it off. Other times, Torre would bring Rivera in in a tie game and let him pitch 3 innings, which would basically buy the Yanks time to score and get the W, while Rivera kept throwing up zeros. I always liked the fact that Rivera was more than just a ninth-inning closer...they used him in various situations, for multiple innings and not just leads in the ninth.
August 7, 200818 yr In addition to his dominance, that's what makes Mariano Rivera the best closer now and all-time, IMO. He can pitch 3 innings for the Yanks if necessary...many times Torre would put him in in the 8th inning when the opponent was threatening. Rivera would shut the door, then come back out in the ninth and finish it off. Other times, Torre would bring Rivera in in a tie game and let him pitch 3 innings, which would basically buy the Yanks time to score and get the W, while Rivera kept throwing up zeros. I always liked the fact that Rivera was more than just a ninth-inning closer...they used him in various situations, for multiple innings and not just leads in the ninth. You will find many, that will agree with you. In the game last night, Sutcliffe was commenting about he could catch Rivera. Just give him the target and he would throw it into the glove. Amazing control, effectiveness and consistency.
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