The Greatest Ever, Part 1: Mariano Rivera

  

"We don't want to face him any more. He's too good. He belongs in a higher league. He should be banned from baseball." 

- Former Twins Manager
Tom Kelly

In the 140+ years of professional baseball in America, and the over four decades since the emergence of the role, there has never been a greater closer than Mariano Rivera, who made it official today when he saved his 602^nd game, setting the all-time record.

I've been a fan of Mo's since he made his big league debut in 1995.  Inspired by his accomplishment and some other random neurons firing in my brain lately, I've decided to start a series of posts highlighting, IMHO, the greatest ever in a given category.  Feel free to disagree and suggest your own candidates. 

In the case of Mo or any athlete, some justification is required.  

First, some background.  For those who aren't familiar with baseball, the closer is a pitcher whose job it is to get the final few outs in a close game, thereby securing the win and earning a save.  It's easily the most high-pressure position in baseball, and requires not only phenomenal pitching but nerves of steel.  This is especially true in the playoffs, where a blown save can shift the momentum of an entire series.   

In Mo's case, he's now the all-time saves record holder, but even if he had never reached that summit, he still would have been the greatest in my book.  Consider some of his other records, for starters:

• Post-season saves (42)
• Post-season series clinching saves (9)
• Post-season ERA (0.71(!!))
• Post-season scoreless innings streak (34.1)
• Regular season save conversion rate (89.3%) 
• Though it's not an official stat, I'd venture he has the highest post-season conversion rate as well (min 20 appearances, say) at 91.3%

Next consider his longevity and consistency:

• Most pitching appearances in American League history (1038)
• Most consecutive seasons with at least 25 saves (15) and 30 saves (9)
• Most All-Star selections as a pitcher (12)

Other incredible accomplishments:

• Eight seasons with 40+ saves
• Two seasons with 50+ saves
• 1999 World Series MVP
• 2003 ALCS MVP
• And oh yeah, 5-time World Series Champion

But even all these numbers and records don't tell the whole story.  For one thing, Rivera has accomplished all this with just one pitch.  He throws no curve balls, no sinkers or change-ups.  Every batter in the Majors knows exactly what's coming - the cutter - they just can't do anything with it.  Mariano simply dominates hitters.

His achievements vis-à-vis other pitchers aren't bad either.  Consider that second to Mo with his 42 postseason saves is Brad Lidge, with 18.  After Trevor Hoffman, whose record Rivera just broke, the next highest regular season saves total belongs to Lee Arthur Smith with 478. Mo's 2003 post-season WHIP of .438, also a record, is over 60 points better than the next closet, .500 (Mike Scott, 1986). 

"I get the ball, I throw the ball and then I take a shower."

- Mariano Rivera 

Then there are the (much maligned) intangibles.  There is no stat for consistency of delivery or pinpoint precision, but Mo is legendary in both areas.  Often overlooked is how well a pitcher fields his position: Mo does so with an agility and intelligence that far surpasses most pitchers.  Finally, the aptly-numbered 42 (the last player grandfathered in when Jackie Robinson's number was retired throughout baseball) might be "the most respected player in the league," as Rangers slugger Michael Young put it.  His professionalism, deeply held religious values and serenity are reflected in the imperturbable calm he brings to the mound, even under the glaring spotlight of October baseball in New York.

"The most mentally tough person I've ever played with."

- Yankees Captain Derek Jeter

Though fans often forget it, the man is still human.  Like any closer, he has blown saves - none bigger than Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.  With a 2-1 lead in the 9th, a double by Tony Womack and a whisper-soft bloop single by Luis Gonzalez combined with some other factors to cost the Yankees their fourth straight Championship, and that in a year when the entire world was rooting for New York. 

But even that failure only emphasizes how unequaled Mo is at what he does.  After all, the only other player who comes close is Trevor Hoffman, the previous saves record-holder with 601.  And Mariano Rivera has blown more World Series saves (1) than Trevor Hoffman has ever converted.  Sure, a few other names are sometimes thrown out there, such as Billy Wagner, Goose Gossage, Sparky Lyle or Dennis Eckersley.  I'll let Eckersley respond:

"The best ever, no doubt."

- First-ballot Hall-of-Famer
and former closer Dennis Eckersley

There is simply no comparison.  Mariano Rivera is indisputably the greatest closer in the history of baseball.