Mariano Rivera #42 - Greatest Closer of All-Time

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Mariano will go down in history as the greatest closer of all-time in Major League Baseball.  Arguments can be made that the closer role is different now then it was during the 70's and early '80s when it more difficult to save games since closers usually pitched multiple innings per outing.  There is even a "Hold" stat now for relievers who pitch an inning prior to a save.  For me, it's clear cut.  As soon as Hoffman and Rivera breached the 600 saves milestones, they were excluded from the previous argument because that's more than 122 more saves than Lee Smith had in his career - the previous career saves leader.

Now Rivera and Hoffman are tied for the all-time career saves lead.  Mariano is expected to break Hoffman's record this week.  If it doesn't happen later today in Toronto, it will probably happen during the 8-game homestand.  I'm hoping that the Yankees don't have a save situation in today's game so he can get #602 at Yankee Stadium.  The crowd will be electric and the game will have a playoff-like atmosphere.  It will be a nice prelude to this year's Playoffs.

Speaking of Playoffs, Mariano's 42 saves in Playoff games is a mark that may never be broken.  With the Playoffs looming, Mariano is likely to add to that total and may even breach 50 Postseason saves this year (possible, but not likely).  I think if Mariano reaches 50 Postseason saves before he retires, the mark would be equivalent to Pete Rose's 4,256 hits or Cy Young's 511 wins.  The reason I say this is that there is no team other than the Yankees who make it deep into the Playoffs every year.  Now a case can be made for the Phillies as they have won their division 5 years in a row but they don't have a dominant closer right now.

Update: Mariano just closed out career save #602 at Yankee Stadium against the Minnesota Twins.  Another perfect 9th inning ending with a caught-looking strikeout with Mo painting the black on the outside corner.  Congratulations to Mariano Rivera!!