Posted on 07/19/2019 7:22:40 AM PDT by DFG
One pitch. One team. A 1.000 WHIP, even.
Simplicity propelled Mariano Rivera to greatness. Now, however, as he prepares for his official baseball immortalization, the Yankees legend finds himself juggling about a million thoughts.
“It’s too much,” a relaxed-looking Rivera said recently in a conversation with The Post at his Westchester home. “It’s too much to comprehend. It’s too much to try to analyze.”
On Jan. 22, Rivera and his family sat in this house and received a phone call from Baseball Writers Association of American secretary-treasurer Jack O’Connell, who delivered life-changing news: Not only did the writers elect Rivera to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first chance, a slam dunk from the day the closer threw his last cut fastball in 2013, but they made him the first candidate to receive 100 percent support on their ballot — 425 votes from 425 voters — establishing a high-water mark that can be matched yet not surpassed.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Overrated
...I’m kidding : )
No doubt this guy is one of the all time greats. A credit to the sport and not one word of controversy ever in all his almost 20 yrs in the game.
Definitely one of the all-time greats. Congratulations to Mariano Rivera!
I heard somebody say he became a relief pitcher because he couldn’t make it as a starter, early in his career. And as fate would have it, being a relief pitcher was the role he then excelled at.
Is that true?
Whatever the case, he became one of the greatest relief pitchers of all time. When his manager gave him the ball, he got the job done.
He helped redefine the 9th inning reliever or “closer” role, from what I hear.
Probably could build a house with the wood from the bats Rivera broke with his cut fastball.
Mo wasn't afraid to chew out 'somebody who needed it. Like me': A-Rod on Mariano Rivera
There was already the 9th inning relief specialist when Rivera entered the league. It was Tony LaRusa using Dennis Eckersley who established that role.
Sounds like a whole lot of pro athletes could take a few lessons from him...
I remember guys like Rollie Fingers, Sparky Lyle, Goose Gossage, Lee Smith...all appeared on the scene before Rivera. Rivera, however, is without doubt the GOAT.
I remember those guys but they would come in for multi-inning relief efforts.
Pursued and achieved excellence.
An immigrant who genuinely appreciates this country
and the opportunities it has given him.
What’s not to like?
That’s my recollection too. Those other guys didn’t just pitch the 9th inning, as Rivera typically did.
What’s not to like?
Not much unless you’re a Yankee hater.
He was okay as a starter. But you need multiple good pitches to really succeed as a starter. Mo had one great pitch, possibly the most deceptive pitch of all time.
Some rate Mo's cutter as the best pitch of all time.
10 OF THE BEST PITCHES IN BASEBALL HISTORY
So he became a Hall of Fame RP.
However you feel about relief pitchers or closers and their place in the game, which has evolved dramatically over the past forty years and continues to do so, Mariano Rivera was just about the best ever for the longest time.
You could say that about just about every reliever. There's a reason they're not starters: their not good enough!
I’m a Yankee hater but love Mariano.
Why do you hate the Yankees?
Best relief pitcher in the history of baseball
there will never be anotherLike the great Mariano Rivera
Starting pitching who is the best?
Nolan Ryan - Sandy Koufax - Tom Seaver. who?
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