Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike D.
People make this argument, but if a successful closer is just a failed starter, why doesn't EVERY team have a top of the line closer?
Guys who can do the job and do it for an extended period of time are actually pretty rare. Rivera, Hoffman, Wagner, etc.
It's kind of like people who argue against DH's being in the Hall of Fame. The DH has been around longer than I have, and I'm not exactly young. Even closers...if you think about the original "firemen" like Gossage and Fingers, you're talking primes in the late 70's/early 80's 40+ years ago. Even when you started to see more "one-inning" closers was 30+ years ago.
The game evolves...if we're only going to put 300 game winners in the Hall, we're done putting in pitchers. Just like if you're going to put every 400 HR hitter in there, ya gonna have to build a new wing to the hall.
|
Smoltz would of been an HOF closer , but how many closers would be HOF starting pitchers and at what ratio
There are a TON of number 2 pitchers on teams that would be all star closers.
many closers only have 2 pitches..its real hard to go through a lineup 3 times with that stuff even if both pitches are great..