Thank you, Mo.

themonk · 09-27-2013, 10:44 PM

Exit the Sandman

Thank you, Mo. You're one class act, and we'll miss you. Watching Yankees' games will never be the same without you...

Déjà Bru · 09-27-2013, 10:46 PM

Don't thank me. No, I mean it! I happen to have EXACTLY the same number of thanks as career saves that Mo has racked up, so far (I doubt he will pitch in Houston but he may play CF in a game or two!

).

themonk · 09-27-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Don't thank me. No, I mean it! I happen to have EXACTLY the same number of thanks as career saves that Mo has racked up, so far (I doubt he will pitch in Houston but he may play CF in a game or two!

).

Déjà Bru · 09-27-2013, 10:58 PM

Good thread. We should have one here for Mo now. Hopefully people will share their Enter Sandman impressions and memories. Be prepared for closer greatness debunkers, however.

MorseMoose · 09-27-2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Don't thank me. No, I mean it! I happen to have EXACTLY the same number of thanks as career saves that Mo has racked up, so far (I doubt he will pitch in Houston but he may play CF in a game or two!

).

Lies

.

Alright...I feel a bit bad for that.

Déjà Bru · 09-27-2013, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Lies

.

Alright...I feel a bit bad for that.

You villain! But thanks for the thanks.

rudel.dietrich · 09-27-2013, 11:54 PM

One of the most under appreciated players of this generation. You could make a case that he is the greatest pitcher of all time.

kenyan_cheena · 09-28-2013, 08:48 AM

Off to Never-Never Land...

MorseMoose · 09-28-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

You villain! But thanks for the thanks.

And now it's gone

. I felt bad

.

AnotherAlias · 09-28-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Off to Never-Never Land...

Rofl!

Déjà Bru · 09-28-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

One of the most under appreciated players of this generation. You could make a case that he is the greatest pitcher of all time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Be prepared for closer greatness debunkers, however.

And I think we have one:

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Off to Never-Never Land...

True, I would not stack up closers against starters. I would not even compare today's version of closers (e.g., Rivera) to middle relievers who also closed in prior generations (e.g., Gossage).

Still, you must give Rivera his due of being the greatest closer of all time as they are defined today and for, let's say, the past 30 years.

Rasmuth · 09-28-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

One of the most under appreciated players of this generation. You could make a case that he is the greatest pitcher of all time.

He's not even the greatest pitcher in today's game (see Clayton Kershaw)...but if you were to say he's the greatest relief pitcher in the history of the game...I wouldn't argue the point.

rudel.dietrich · 09-28-2013, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasmuth

He's not even the greatest pitcher in today's game (see Clayton Kershaw)...but if you were to say he's the greatest relief pitcher in the history of the game...I wouldn't argue the point.

1300 IP and he is 105% better than the league average in terms of allowing runs.
141 more IP in the playoffs and his ERA is 0.70

If you factor in leverage in that the innings he pitched were of more value then you could make the case for greatest of all time.

CommishJoe · 09-28-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

1300 IP and he is 105% better than the league average in terms of allowing runs.
141 more IP in the playoffs and his ERA is 0.70

If you factor in leverage in that the innings he pitched were of more value then you could make the case for greatest of all time.

He's definitely the greatest reliever of all time. Not sure I'd expand it to pitcher because he absolutely stunk as a starter. You need a different skill set to be a great starter.

Bottom line, he was the classiest guy I've seen in the MLB. He was so great for so long and it never went to his head. He's one of the few sports figures that are truly a good role model.

Rivera, you will be missed.

BaseballMan · 09-28-2013, 05:10 PM

but how good would he have been if he had played for another team?

Déjà Bru · 09-28-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

but how good would he have been if he had played for another team?

True, but that's the case with every individual in team sports. Partly luck, partly self-fulfilling prophecy. One feeds the other.

By the way, I just heard that Rivera is done for good. He will not pitch in Houston, preferring his last outing as a pitcher in Yankee Stadium to be it for him. Good decision (there's also some indication of lingering forearm soreness . . .)

One thing I hope now: I really hope Mo doesn't disgrace himself and the game by pulling the clown act of playing CF in his last appearance. That really would be the wrong way to leave the game.

Slackker · 09-29-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

but how good would he have been if he had played for another team?

I'm not really answering your question - I don't think it can really be answered. However, it made me want to mention that playing for one team (even if it was the Yankees) makes Rivera's retirement even more special to me.

His final game in Yankee Stadium will forever be the only time this Mets fan has rooted for the Yankees. I was really hoping he'd get to come in for a save situation. Even without it the Yankees found a way to make it special - with Jeter and Pettite coming out to get him. I watched every second of the send-off a couple games prior. No one in baseball does ceremony like the Yankees. I even popped a bit for Tino Martinez.

RchW · 09-29-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

but how good would he have been if he had played for another team?

We will never know, but it has nothing to do with what Rivera did with the opportunity he was given.

David Watts · 09-29-2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

He's definitely the greatest reliever of all time. Not sure I'd expand it to pitcher because he absolutely stunk as a starter. You need a different skill set to be a great starter.

Bottom line, he was the classiest guy I've seen in the MLB. He was so great for so long and it never went to his head. He's one of the few sports figures that are truly a good role model.

Rivera, you will be missed.

Just curious, what makes him classier than Derek Jeter? Amazing that one team can have 2 guys that played their entire careers together and both are the complete definition of greatness.

Déjà Bru · 09-29-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Watts

Just curious, what makes him classier than Derek Jeter? Amazing that one team can have 2 guys that played their entire careers together and both are the complete definition of greatness.

Good observation and question. It made me think.

Rivera seems to have been the more open and friendly to fans but has that only been recently as his greatness has become apparent and celebrated? I don't remember him smiling so much years ago!

Jeter has been always been about the team, not himself, and is a steady, stable influence in the locker room. Yet he has always been highly guarded with the media and the public, especially in terms of his private life. As is his right, of course, and frankly, it's a relief not to hear about his private affairs as much as some others that I can think of. But open and friendly, he does not strike me in that way.

So, who is the classier of the two? Does it matter? I feel blessed to have witnessed the entire careers of these players and most of one other that we say goodbye to today: Andy Pettitte.

09-27-2013, 10:44 PM	#1
themonk Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 274	Thank you, Mo. Exit the Sandman Thank you, Mo. You're one class act, and we'll miss you. Watching Yankees' games will never be the same without you... Watch: Mo's Last Appearance

09-27-2013, 10:46 PM	#2
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,291	Don't thank me. No, I mean it! I happen to have EXACTLY the same number of thanks as career saves that Mo has racked up, so far (I doubt he will pitch in Houston but he may play CF in a game or two! ). __________________ - Bru

09-27-2013, 10:58 PM	#4
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,291	Good thread. We should have one here for Mo now. Hopefully people will share their Enter Sandman impressions and memories. Be prepared for closer greatness debunkers, however. __________________ - Bru

09-27-2013, 11:54 PM	#7
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	One of the most under appreciated players of this generation. You could make a case that he is the greatest pitcher of all time.

09-28-2013, 08:48 AM	#8
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,038	Off to Never-Never Land...

09-28-2013, 05:10 PM	#15
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,486	but how good would he have been if he had played for another team?