I know I am a little late to the party here, I apologize I had some first world problems, but Yankees closer and future Hall of Fame player Mariano Rivera was honored before tonight's game in the World Series. Mariano was honored with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award tonight honoring his stellar career with the New York Yankees. River, his wife, and his three sons were present during the press conference and ceremony at Fenway Park that was broadcasted on FOX tonight.
Rivera is the first to be honored with the award, which honors achievements and contributions of historical significance, since 2011 when Ken Griffey Jr. got the award.
I won't be satisfied until MLB names a relievers' awards after Mo.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
DeleteNow there is class and a 1st round HoF player!
DeleteMo's overrated. The way the media and MLB have jumped on the bandwagon you would think this guy was invincible. Yes he had a .70 ERA in the post season but he blew the 1997 pennant, the 2001 World Series and the 2004 AL championship.
DeleteAs Mel Allen would say " you can look it up"
Jeter never was a goat in any post season game. Surehanded and always solid. Thriving under the bright lights. First round ballot HOFer for sure.
DeleteMo is overrated? Come on... you mention three innings in the post season where he was touchable and ignore the other 138 IP where he was as close to flawless as possible. You ignore the 1996 World Series and postseason, the 1998 World Series and postseason, 1999 World Series and postseason, the 2000 World Series and postseason, well I could keep going all the way through 2013 but I dont see any convincing you. No one that has 652 saves and missed most of one season and was a set up man for another can be overrated, its not possible. There is a reason there has been two pitchers to get 600 saves. You ignore the fact that more men have walked on the moon then Mo allowed earned runs in the post season. As Thomas Wasp would say "you can look it up" also.
Deleteone game for all the marbles ....last inning....I can have any closer in history...i take Eric Gagne.
Deletepuff puff pass....
DeleteI was asking you to share what your smoking if you take Eric Gagne over Mariano Rivera in one game for all the marbles.
Deleteha ha....Eric Gagne at his peak was better than Mo at his peak. Look up Gagne's 2003 season statistics Ive never seen anything like it. 55 saves no blown saves 137 k in only 82 innings
Delete.69 whip and look at his ERA+
For someone who calls Alex Rodriguez A Roid and the such it is quite comical to see you compare Eric Gagne, an admitted steroid user at his "peak", to a clean Mariano Rivera. I also love how you compare two or so years of Eric Gagne to a complete careers worth of a sample size in Mariano Rivera. But hey whatever helps you sleep at night.
DeleteMe thinks, someone is mad because Mo will go into the Hall before his star player.
DeleteDestroy the reputation of the enemy before they become untouchable. Class 101.
Again Daniel you are missing the point..... in the context of one night one pitcher .... at their peak.... Gagne is a no brainer......he was virtually unhittable.
DeleteSo Alex Rodriguez was the best player in baseball then for a long period of time.
DeleteYes, Alex was the best ballplayer I ever saw. His 2007 season and 2009 post season were as awesome a display as Id ever seen. And remember this guy could play SS at a gold glove level in addition to his ability to hit for average and power. And to ridiculously add on to that he was a great baserunner and had amazing baseball instincts.
DeleteYou have a funny way of showing it.
DeleteDaniel.... a funny way of showing what?
DeleteoldRanger .....Mo will only get in the HOF before Jeter because he chickened out and retired before the great Jeter. If they both retired in same year Jeter would get more votes ....why?....because most writers and fans believe rightfully so that a player who plays only 70 innings per season is not as valuable to a team as a player who plays 1300 innings.
DeleteThomas WaspOctober 29, 2013 at 2:53 AM
DeleteDid you write that as hyperbole, jest or truth?
Mo didn't chicken out...for the last three years I said a time or two he had lost some of the snap on his cutter and it wasn't as dependable anymore, it also was drifting a bit. Of course, no one wanted to hear it, as it was the same with Jeter.
He knew it was past the time, he just didn't want to end it with an injury.
Yes Mo was slow....7 blown saves in a season is not God like ....the way the hype machine would have you believe. Many times his cutter wasnt as sharp and at only 90mph that was batting practice if not placed well. truth is Soriano was better in his one season as closer. sssshhhhh dont tell the brain washed yankee fans.
Deleteyou were right oldyankee as you know better than anyone Father Time waits for no man (except for Jeter who in 2012 accomplished an OPS higher than any shortstop ever at the age of 38.,....... you can look it up)
Aroid was easily the best ALL AROUND player of all time. Only one close was the say hey kid.
DeleteRemember the 'Roid not only had the 5 tools, but had them at a ridiculously high level:
1. RUN. - Alex has stolen 46 bases in a season and in his career has an incredible 83% success rate.
2. CATCH - Alex played probably the toughest athletic position (SS) and did it at a gold glove level (2 golden gloves)
3. THROW - watch Alex on film at SS with Texas and Seattle , he had a cannon, and was accurate.
4. HIT POWER - 654 HRS enough said - and his 54 HRs in 2007 as a RH hitter in Yankee Stadium is a Herculean effort that was never given its just due (ask the great Joe DiMaggio who could only manage a high of 46 there)
5. HIT AVG - a career BA of .299 is great....and remember in his FIRST full season ...he led the league with a .358 average. (Not to mention the same season leading the league in runs scored, doubles and total bases ......and hitting 36 HRS......in what probably was the greatest first full season a player has ever had in history).
It can easily be argued that the walking ROID was the best all around player ever.
Ruth couldnt run or field with Aroid
Mickey couldnt field or throw with Aroid
Cobb couldnt hit for power
Gehrig couldnt run, field or throw with Aroid
Reggie coulnt hit for average
Rickey didnt field, throw or hit for enough power
Only players I think on the same level as Aroid was
Aaron
Mays
Bonds
None of which played infield. Edge A-Rod on that alone, otherwise tied four ways.
DeleteBy the way, until he hurt his shoulder, Mickey had one of the best outfield arms around at the time.
Oh, I forgot, Ruth was not always the fat guy that had to almost walk around the bases that you see in pictures. His last few years he was way out of shape, thus, the fat guy pictures one sees of him.
DeleteBut in his better days he was considered fast enough...not Mickey fast, but fast enough!
Mickey 1st came up as a SS in (Spring Training) and the story goes Phil R was thinking he would lose his job to this hot HR hitting SS. After he got a good look at Mickey trying to play SS, he said "I had nothing to worry about"!
Even Mickey was sent down after ST of 1950, Casey said, put this guy somewhere he won't hurt anybody! The next year he came up and out hit Joe "D"!
I saw Mickey hit a HR once that had everyone in the stadium just in hushed amazement. It was ONE of the first few HRs he hit in Yankee Stadium. He was fooled on a sharp curve ball (I think), so he let go of the bat with one hand (Top hand) and drove the ball deep into Death Valley...I mean it was a line drive like you have never seen before...just like it was on a string into the 2nd deck corner! (Left Center field)
Why's he wearing a Giants jersey?
ReplyDeleteHe was an honorary team captain for the Giants game on MNF and I just used that picture because I like it
Deletethis is whats good about your site Daniel.....you have an understanding of the bent side of sports.......the oix of Mo in a Giants uniform, the bad HR call by Sterling.....the Yankee ugly and beautiful wives page....
DeleteWe do what we can here mr Wasp
DeleteDaniel....we have basically Bryan, OldRanger, TWASP and you holding sown the commentary fort. Patrick is working on his debut which should be as long as War and Peace when hes through. But what about others. How many tweeters do you have? Why are they not commenting on your masterpiece blogs?
ReplyDeleteWe have somewhere in the neighborhood of 1700-1800 twitter followers and honestly your guess is as good as mine as to why people are not commenting. I wish I knew I really do.
DeleteMayhap, they are into the football season now! After all, the Yankees are not in the WS etc., this year.
DeleteAround December things should pick up!
In the meantime, shall we get on with the show, I can't believe what Tman has been putting down as facts, against Jeter being the best SS ever!
With the world Series going on and the Yankees not in it a lot of people are just taking a break. They will come back for the hot stove. I'm not worried
DeleteTwaspering : I come out, and go over the trenches, when the whistle blows. I do my best.
ReplyDeleteWar and Peace, no, not exactly. It will happen. You know at this time of year, that my free time is bare bones. I follow you guys daily.
** The Jester in the White House said...." you can keep your health plan !" Mine just went from a top of the line policy, to a mid to low end....over night. You have to vote for it, before you can read it.
God help us.
Daniel....I know what I promised.....be patient.....Somehow Patrick disliking the President's policies , has gotten in the way of what Time magazine once called the best Baseball mind in Wantagh, LI......since (the amazing) Bill Mazer....creator of Sports Extra.
DeleteI am one of the most patient people you will meet, no worries.
DeleteDaniel....dont worry...as advertised Patrick will come through ..... the longer it takes .....the better the essay will be...full of colorful anecdotes.....witty tangents......informative tidbits.....gut busting comedy....your twitter followers will be so entertained they will be compelled to comment.
ReplyDeleteI dont have a worried bone in my body. I have full faith and patience in the candleman. Cant rush perfection.
DeletePatrick was once on the panel of the David Susskind show along with Mel Brooks, Pauline Kael, Lenny Bruce, Frank Deford and Dan Jenkins. As the story goes , Patrick had them all in stitches by the second commercial break. Deford asked him to cowrite with him on his next SI story..... Lenny bruce asked him down to the Village Vanguard to open for him that night and Mel Brooks wanted to cast him in a sequel to Blazing Saddles.
ReplyDeleteI'm telling you twasp, write a book. You'd sell a million.
Delete