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.

 

Not to mention his cut fastball was virtually untouchable in his prime. He's not as dominant as he once was, but I'd still take him above any closer in the game today.

Not to mention his cut fastball was virtually untouchable in his prime. He's not as dominant as he once was, but I'd still take him above any closer in the game today.

Agreed and the velocity, he throws the cutter with is outstanding.

 

The Yankees are a perfect example, of the "closer" role being a vital aspect of their team.

Most overrated position in sports..........the reporter.

Most overrated position in sports...the Armchair QB.

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.

 

While Rivera's abillity (and willingness) to pitch more than an inning is unusual in this era, he greatly benefits from the DH rule.

 

I don't care how good Rivera (or any other closer is), you won't see them in there in the 8th if they're due up in the 9th.

While Rivera's abillity (and willingness) to pitch more than an inning is unusual in this era, he greatly benefits from the DH rule.

 

I don't care how good Rivera (or any other closer is), you won't see them in there in the 8th if they're due up in the 9th.

 

I disagree.

 

You're up by a run or two in the 8th and the opponent gets a couple of guys on...would it be better to bring in a lesser reliever just because Rivera would have to bat? I don't think so.

 

I'd bring Rivera in the game in the 8th. If he gets out of the jam with the lead, I'd let him bat and come back out for the 9th. I think the odds that he'd close out the win on the mound would far outweigh the fact that you're basically giving up an out. At that point, it's more about defense and protecting the lead than scoring more runs.

Most overrated position in sports..........the reporter.

 

Bet you wouldn't be saying that if the ADI ran a story tomorrow saying they no longer will be covering sports and would instead be sending their sports reporters off to city council meetings. (Which, in the grand scheme of things are far more important than who had a 100 yard game for the Tomcats, Rams, etc.)

Bet you wouldn't be saying that if the ADI ran a story tomorrow saying they no longer will be covering sports and would instead be sending their sports reporters off to city council meetings. (Which, in the grand scheme of things are far more important than who had a 100 yard game for the Tomcats, Rams, etc.)

Easy Jim, I was kidding. Here, I'll give you my take on what I really think is the most overrated position in sports.....the holder on PAT/FG attempts. Catch it, put it down, if you have time, turn the laces. In the off chance that the snap is muffed, your rate of success on that play is virtually nil.

Easy Jim, I was kidding.

 

I know; I thought I threw a smileyface in there. Sorry if it seemed like I snapped at you. :thumb:

 

Here, I'll give you my take on what I really think is the most overrated position in sports.....the holder on PAT/FG attempts. Catch it, put it down, if you have time, turn the laces. In the off chance that the snap is muffed, your rate of success on that play is virtually nil.

 

I'll buy that.

I disagree.

 

You're up by a run or two in the 8th and the opponent gets a couple of guys on...would it be better to bring in a lesser reliever just because Rivera would have to bat? I don't think so.

 

I'd bring Rivera in the game in the 8th. If he gets out of the jam with the lead, I'd let him bat and come back out for the 9th. I think the odds that he'd close out the win on the mound would far outweigh the fact that you're basically giving up an out. At that point, it's more about defense and protecting the lead than scoring more runs.

 

What happens when Rivera gets hit with a 90+ mph fastball and breaks a few bones in his hand? Or fouls one off of his foot?

What happens when Rivera gets hit with a 90+ mph fastball and breaks a few bones in his hand? Or fouls one off of his foot?

 

The likelihood of that is about the same as someone ripping a screaming liner back up the gut at him and injuring him on the mound.

What happens when Rivera gets hit with a 90+ mph fastball and breaks a few bones in his hand? Or fouls one off of his foot?

 

A freak injury could happen to anyone at anytime.

 

He could just as easily take a line drive off the head or arm...and what about starting pitchers? Should they pitch until it's their turn to bat? How about we just keep all of our best pitchers on the bench so they don't get hurt?

 

Come on, man. That's a terrible argument.

A freak injury could happen to anyone at anytime.

 

He could just as easily take a line drive off the head or arm...and what about starting pitchers? Should they pitch until it's their turn to bat? How about we just keep all of our best pitchers on the bench so they don't get hurt?

 

Come on, man. That's a terrible argument.

 

Boooooo … way to rip off my point.

The likelihood of that is about the same as someone ripping a screaming liner back up the gut at him and injuring him on the mound.

 

The likelihood is ZERO if he doesn't bat.

 

I agree that the chances of him getting hurt as a hitter are relatively low; however, Rivera is there to pitch and I'd imagine the # of times the closer comes in "early" is much higher in the AL than the NL.

 

Although a double switch would normally work too.

The save is one of the most misleading stats there is. Hands down.

 

Which is it, 'one of the most' or 'hands down'?