Quote:
Originally posted by ctorg
Saves are just pointless.
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I used to feel that way. But try having a team with Mitch Williams trying to finish out the win as opposed to a Gagne. It's very demoralizing to have a relief staff that gives away your lead in the late innings. I used to cringe when the Dodgers would trot out some guy (Steve Howe, Tom NeedAFire, etc) to finish the game. It's such a relief when you have a lead in the 9th and know that you can hand off the game to Gagne instead of NeedAFire.
Ask any Red Sox fan how they felt when Stanley came into the WS game against the Mets (I blame Stanley more than Buckner for that one). Or how about the 1985 playoffs when NeedAFire couldn't get light hitting Ozzie Smith out at the end of the game.
Yes managers try to manage too much to the save and should just bring in the pitcher needed. But what a comfort to know that your reliever is not going to lose 20 or 30% of the games he comes in to pitch.