August 7, 200818 yr Boooooo … way to rip off my point. Sorry, I didn't read your post until I'd already made mine.
August 7, 200818 yr 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. There are hardly any managers who bring their closers in early in either league. It's taboo... I think there is a myth in MLB that a closers arm will fall off if he pitches more than one inning.
August 7, 200818 yr Author 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. There are acceptable levels of risk, and I think that having your closer/fireman bat 5-6 times a year would not put him at unnecessary risk (that's probably about as often as such a situation would come up over the course of a season). The likelihood of me getting hit by a car is also zero if I never cross the street. Should I take that precaution to avoid the risk?
August 7, 200818 yr 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. :thumb::thumb: I heard those comments by Sutcliffe and agrgee that Rivera is just a dominant closer......#42 in, game over (usually). Speaking of last nights broadcast, I also enjoyed the talk that went on for a while with Nolan Ryan. Did anyone else hear that? "The Express" is a class act all the way. I loved when they had ask him about some pitchers today and them calling a 6 inning showing (a quality start),.."Where did that come from :lol:, they sure didn't talk to many old time pitchers when they came up with that analogy/stat", Nolan said. I agree with that, "quality starts" are imo a part of what is wrong with some of the poor pitching today and all of the labels like "middle relief, long releif, holds and it goes on and on. I remember when you had a starter and a reliever and the starters actually wanted to finish and a lot of times did finish the game. Alot of today's pitchers could not have played or compared with some of those guys.
August 7, 200818 yr Most overrated position in sports..........the reporter. Refined...... An ESPN reporter.
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