Mariano Is Back

Even as an Indians fan, it's good to see Mariano back to what he was.

Last year was a fluke year having a 3.15 ERA.

This year? 13 scoreless, only giving up 4 hits all year.

I became an even bigger fan once Papelbon thought he was in Mariano's class, because he def. isn't!

That's very simple Willy.

Rivera has been dominating the closer position for 12 years, with over 450 saves.

Papelbon has only 2 years completed as a closer.

There's something to be said for doing it as Papelbon has, because he's been great and lights out. But he's a decade short of Rivera. It's hard to be great for a couple years, it's a whole nother world to do it for 12.

Rivera is the greatest closer ever. That's pretty easy logic to follow then that Papelbon isn't in his league.

I'm not a fan of Borowski

But considering he's been hurt almost the whole year, it's hard to blow 5-10 saves.

Hands down best ever.

Wanna know why.  Click on his name...Mariano Rivera.... and look at his career stats. Mind Numbing

Rivera has been dominating the closer position for 12 years, with over 450 saves.

Papelbon has only 2 years completed as a closer.

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Yep, that's exactly it, and it's why Paps bent so many people out of shape by suggesting he's as good as Mo.  The last two years, sure, he's been as dominant a closer as Mo.  But you don't go comparing yourself to a legend until you can do it year after year after year.  I think Papelbon will do this, but you've got to prove it.  I hate the Yankees, but no one can deny Sir Mo his place.  Plus, I'll always love him for 2004. : )

LSU73, What down years are you talking about?  Haven't the Yankees made the playoffs like 12 straight years?  How are those down years?  I will be honest, I love the history of the New York Yankees, but I despise the Steinbrenner Yankees.  With as much money as the Yankees spend on their payroll, every year that they don't make the World Series should be a dissappointment.  I am not saying that Mariano isn't the best closer of all time, but give Papelbon a little credit, he has been pretty dominant for his short career and if he stays healthy, he will be in that class. 

  I just find it interesting how the Yankee fans always feel the need to tear down other teams and players to make your team and players look better.

This Rivera-Papelbon thing is ridiculous. They're BOTH great closers. The only difference is that Rivera's been doing it for longer. If Papelbon can do it for 12 years, he'll get the credit.

I think the issues a lot of Yankee fans (myself included) have regarding the perception of Rivera are as follows

1. He blows a couple of saves early, and people say "Is this the end of Rivera's dominanace> ?" And then, at the end of the year, the numbers are all there. Even last year, probably the worst of his career, people were saying that, and look how he's rebounded. Yes, eventually he will stop being dominant, but let's just wait for it to happen and stop bringing it up every year.

2. People look at a great young closer like Rodriguez or Papelbon or even Gagne in his prime and say "He's the next Rivera," which is half true, but again creates an impression that Rivera has somehow stopped being Rivera.

I think a lot of people overreact to defend Rivera because people seem to be so quick to predict the end of his dominance or that some other pitcher has "surpassed" him.

Here are his month by month splits the last three years

April: 5.63 ERA  Save Percentage: 61%

May 1.36 ERA, 100%

June 1.08 ERA 95%

July 1.30 ERA 100%

August 2.76 ERA 84%

September 1.74 ERA 94%

There you go. Struggles in April, people get nuts. pitches fine the rest of the year