When the New York Times finally discovers Mariano Rivera as they did in this past Sunday edition, you know something is up and they are not reading this blog. Last night Mariano notched his 600th save bringing him two away from breaking the all-time record set by Trevor Hoffman. Experts on pitching claim his cut fastball is literally the perfect pitch and virtually unseeable by the batter.
This record is more amazing as you examine it. Mariano has saved 60% of the games in his 1,000+ appearances and won an additional 75. His career ERA is 2.23 and it is lower this year. He has had 10 seasons with an ERA below 2.00 and has only 1 season when his ERA was above 3.00.
By the time he retires, it is likely his record will last many years after I'm dead. The nearest active player is the Reds' Francisco Cordero, 36, with 321. The Mets'Jason Isringhausen,39, with 300 is next. And Milwaukee's Francisco Rodriquez, 29, is at 291.
Eric Chavez made a great observation: " When you go back and look at his career and what he's done with one pitch, I don't think there's a greater achievement in this game than that."
With his playoff, championship and world series saves, Mariano has already surpassed Trevor Hoffman in career saves. But let's hear it for poor Trevor, who retired at the beginning of this year. He said he had hoped he held the record longer. Playing for the San Diego Padres,Hoffman was only noticed by real fans but never the national media. His record was remarkable but totally unnoticed.
Trevor spent 18 years in the majors and appeared in as many games as Mariano. But Mariano's career has been so spotless with no season in which his performance has fallen off. When I mentioned to Rudy Guiliani my concern earlier this season about Mariano's performance, he said,"Oh, give him a break, he's 41." Well, last night he notched his 41st save in his 41st year. In his last year, Trevor only managed 10 saves. He was worn out.
It is really hard to imagine anyone having as perfect career in 17 years as Mariano Rivera. To average over 35 saves per year for that period of time is mind-boogling. Go, Mariano!
And thanks, Trevor.
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