Poll: is Mariano Rivera one of the top 10 pitchers of all time?

packs · #1 01-25-2019, 11:01 AM

It just blows my mind that a guy who was as elite as Rivera was in the modern game, one in which people on this very board who say things like Mathewson, Walter Johnson, Grover Alexander, etc are all unquestionably ahead of Rivera, are the same people who argue all the time about who would have been a star today.

Rivera was elite in today's game. The most multifaceted, specialized version of baseball there has ever been. He also competed against all comers, not only those MLB allowed to play in their time. And yet, despite all that you still doubt his abilities and put others ahead of him from a time and game whose merits are constantly debated.

h2oya311 · #2 01-25-2019, 11:15 AM

Not only are we trying to compare players across eras, but we are essentially comparing marathoners to sprinters. Who's the greatest "runner" of all time, Haile Gebrselassie (marathoner from Ethiopia) or Usain Bolt (Jamaican sprinter)? Asking whether a certain pitcher is better than another across disciplines (and eras) is essentially asking the same thing. It's a silly and futile exercise, regardless of the metrics and WAR and other advanced stats that people can pull from their arses.

Relievers are sprinters, starters are long distance runners. There's room for both on today's squad. Don't try to compare them.

SteveMitchell · #3 01-25-2019, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2oya311

Relievers are sprinters, starters are long distance runners. There's room for both on today's squad. Don't try to compare them.

Agreed. This statement reminds me of the title of one of our game's greatest books: The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter.

egri · #4 01-25-2019, 02:36 PM

If he was really one of the top 10 pitchers of all time, he would have been a starter, something much more important than pitching one inning with the bases empty and no outs.

Vintageclout · #5 01-25-2019, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2oya311

Not only are we trying to compare players across eras, but we are essentially comparing marathoners to sprinters. Who's the greatest "runner" of all time, Haile Gebrselassie (marathoner from Ethiopia) or Usain Bolt (Jamaican sprinter)? Asking whether a certain pitcher is better than another across disciplines (and eras) is essentially asking the same thing. It's a silly and futile exercise, regardless of the metrics and WAR and other advanced stats that people can pull from their arses.

Relievers are sprinters, starters are long distance runners. There's room for both on today's squad. Don't try to compare them.

OK - based on your point, the great post WWII starters that pitched pre-1980 were BOTH sprinters & long distance runners (like the greatest racehorse ever Secretariat...LOL). Gibson, Seaver, Marichal, Koufax, Palmer, Hunter, Ryan, Carlton, etc. ran their 8 inning long distance races and then, for the most part, sprinted to the finish line in the 9th inning by finishing their own games. This is why Mariano cannot be mentioned in the same breath with these great starting pitchers. It really borders on insanity to think that Mariano can be compared to these starting pitcher studs.

Peter_Spaeth · #6 01-25-2019, 10:43 PM

It's madness. But so far 40 votes for top 10 pitchers ever.

frankbmd · #7 01-25-2019, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's madness. But so far 40 votes for top 10 pitchers ever.

The 40 votes all live less than 40 miles from the Bronx.

Fred · #8 01-25-2019, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbmd

The 40 votes all live less than 40 miles from the Bronx.

Ha! Great observation Watson.... no shit Sherlock......!

Peter_Spaeth · #9 01-26-2019, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbmd

The 40 votes all live less than 40 miles from the Bronx.

..

MVSNYC · #10 01-26-2019, 08:25 AM

Peter- I�ve always loved that New Yorker cover, especially being a New Yorker born and bred.

BTW, I currently just fall under the 40 mile radius (38)...

Paul S · #11 01-26-2019, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbmd

The 40 votes all live less than 40 miles from the Bronx.

I live less than 40 miles from the Bronx, but voted that way just to tick people off

bobbyw8469 · #12 01-25-2019, 11:16 AM

Yea...when I voted I wasn't thinking clearly. I think Mariano is without a doubt, one of the greatest RELIEVING pitchers of all time. But all time pitchers?!?! Not hardly. Can I change my vote?

tothrk · #13 01-25-2019, 11:17 AM

No one is doubting his abilities. Everyone seems to agree that Rivera was outstanding at what he was asked to do. Someone suggested that Rivera was the greatest/best pitcher ever which opened up a debate involving every other person to ever pitch in a Major League Baseball game. Some people simply seem to think other pitchers were better. Wait until this conversation starts with another over rated Yankee, Jeter.

Ricky · #14 01-25-2019, 11:44 AM

There have been other closers who were as good as Rivera at their peak. They just weren't able to remain at their peak for as long as Rivera. That makes Rivera the best closer ever. But not the best pitcher ever.

#15 01-25-2019, 08:48 PM

No Not a Starting Pitcher

View Poll Results: Is Mariano Rivera among the top 10 pitchers of all time
Yes	52	14.17%
No	315	85.83%
Voters: 367. You may not vote on this poll

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