By: Martin Rand, III
Date: September 14, 2011
Last night, New York Yankee Closer Mariano Rivera became the second closer ever to record 600 saves. The record is 601; and with two weeks left in the MLB regular season, it's safe to say that he will no doubt obtain the record.
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| Mariano Rivera on the mound for the New York Yankees |
Rivera is a sure fire hall-famer and is the best closer to ever stand on a pitcher's mound. His numbers in the playoffs are astronomical and could stand the test of time. Though, is it possible, that a closer could be the greatest pitcher ever?
I started thinking about this while listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning. They brought up the idea and made an analogy to Jerry Rice in the NFL. It's been argued that Rice could be the best overall football player. He holds so many records and his numbers are so far ahead of any other wide receiver that the analogy seemed to fit perfectly. However, I don't think it's that simple.
Rice was on the field every play and every down. Whether his team was winning or losing, he was still playing. He has earned the right to be in the discussion for the best NFL player ever. Whereas Rivera waits until his team is in a save situation and then comes out the bullpen to pitch one or two innings, respectively.
To continue the football analogy, a better comparison to Rivera would be a kicker. Similar to Rivera, a kicker is most valuable at the end of the fourth quarter when the game is on the line. When the score is a difference of three points or less, a field goal could win or lose the game.
So, lets ask this question. Would you consider a kicker to be the best offensive NFL player of all-time? Of course you wouldn't; and anyone who would, I would love to hear your reasoning.
Rivera is no more the greatest pitcher than a kicker could be the greatest offensive player of all-time. Yes, he holds a lot of records but they're closer pitching records.
I bleed Yankee blue and nothing would make me happier than to say Rivera is the greatest pitcher of all-time. Unfortunately, my knowledge of sports won't allow me. He is in his own lane when it comes to closers, but the lane for greatest pitchers has a big sign over it which reads, "Starters Only."
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