Troy Percival Mariano Rivera John Smoltz Eric Gagne Robb Nen Mike Williams Scott Williamson Mike MacDougal Armando Benitez Keith Foulke Jose Mesa Ugueth Urbina Billy Wagner Jose Jimenez Eddie Guardado Billy Koch Jason Isringhausen Trevor Hoffman
Gotta go with Gagne. Has 3 quality pitches and is nasty with all 3. Hard to overlook Rivera here, though...he is ridiculously good especially since his pitches are hard and hardER! Both are fantastic.
I like Percival (go Highlanders ... past and present) but I have heard that he he is relying more on his offspeed these days rather than his fastball.
But still believe Gagne is the (present) best closer.
Mary Ann * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 [8/21/08]
Posts: 3937 | Location: Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight ... | Registered: January 02, 2003
Mariano Rivera is arguably the best relief pitcher of all time. As TR states, its not just one inning he pitches anymore and the bases are usually not empty! That is an entirely different situation from the typical closer role.
He is $$$$ in post season play when everything is on the line.
The beauty of Rivera is the batters know what coming...and they can't hit it anyway. While other closers like Foulke use deception (in his change-up which he delivers the same as his fastball) Mariano throws his cutter and says here it comes!
_________________________ Nothing is sometimes a good thing to do.... but always a good thing to say.
Posts: 2525 | Location: Northeast | Registered: December 31, 2002
Gagne no doubt. But everytime the sandman comes you still are scared to death, regardless of what happened the last two nights. You never ever want to play the yankees trailing after 7 innings. I know what has happened but don't make a living doing it. Rivera is way too good on the big stage. No one better in big games. Gagne over the long haul.
"Mufasa is not going to give up the kingdom to Simba, just yet.”
Posts: 421 | Location: Somewherein, California | Registered: October 08, 2003
