Quote:
Originally Posted by jbergey22
Well hopefully we can agree to disagree on the Benitez topic. I would never want him as my closer in any situation even when he was on the top of his game. I am taking a guess and saying even when he was in his top form he wasnt one of the top 10-15 closers in save %. His numbers looked good because he could come in a game up 3 runs, walk 2 batters and strikeout 2 batters and get the save. Hoffman was never able to hold Benitez's jockstrap in the "stuff" dept but he has always been a much better closer.
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What I'm trying get across is that "stuff" is something that can be analyzed (at least qualitatively), whereas "mental toughness" is really a pretty nebulous concept. Physical prowess is always going to be a better predictor of success than mental prowess (if for no other reason than the fact that it can be measured pseudo-objectively).
The players that you are describing as mentally tough are also some of the most physically gifted athletes in the game. Can you name a successful player who is mentally tough, but has crappy athletic ability?