August 5, 200818 yr I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game
August 5, 200818 yr Author I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness.
August 5, 200818 yr I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. The thing is a closer cannot be intimidated by the hitter, neither Gregg nor Rivera are afraid to throw a fastball down the middle and just try to overpower the hitter wit there stuff.
August 5, 200818 yr I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. Gregg's quote earlier this year went something like "I made good pitches the batters just hit them to the wrong spots." :lol Humble Pie? Not so much.
August 5, 200818 yr Author I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. Gregg's quote earlier this year went something like "I made good pitches the batters just hit them to the wrong spots." :lol Humble Pie? Not so much. Yeah, and when he gets a save, he gives you no reaction. He just shakes his teammates hands, and leaves. Even for that fortunate catch from behind in Chicago...he barely even gave a chuckle. I mean, have you seen KRod and Papelbon after their saves? Looks like they're having painful orgasms, for their marvelous 3 outs.
August 5, 200818 yr Anyone with baseball knowledge doesn't look at the total number of saves to rate a closer.
August 7, 200818 yr I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. Mariano Rivera grew up in an extremely poor town in Panama. When he struck it rich, he built a giant mansion in the middle of the town and built giant walls around it to make sure the peasants stayed out. He hasn't helped his town, just looks like a dickface for doing that. He was also to good to be part of the Panamanian National team. Oh, and for the kicker, he doesn't live in that house. He visits it every once in a while...by helicopter, mainly because there are no well paved roads. Not exactly modest.
August 7, 200818 yr I think theres a ton of pressure being a closer...not that easy once you think about it.
August 8, 200818 yr I disagree. I think the save is an overrated statistic, but it's tough to win a title without a shutdown guy at the end of your bullpen.
August 8, 200818 yr Not really sure where the notion came from that the closer has to be a very hard thrower who strikes people out. As long as you can get people out, you can close games.
August 8, 200818 yr Author I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. Mariano Rivera grew up in an extremely poor town in Panama. When he struck it rich, he built a giant mansion in the middle of the town and built giant walls around it to make sure the peasants stayed out. He hasn't helped his town, just looks like a dickface for doing that. He was also to good to be part of the Panamanian National team. Oh, and for the kicker, he doesn't live in that house. He visits it every once in a while...by helicopter, mainly because there are no well paved roads. Not exactly modest. Huh? Wow...never heard that story about Mariano. I was just referring to how he acts AFTER saves...(A.K.A not showing off, really). Got a link to those stories, Rab?
August 8, 200818 yr I think theres a ton of pressure being a closer...not that easy once you think about it. just look at the mets. now that wagner is on the dl their bullpen is falling apart. the closer role is a little more important than you guys think.
August 8, 200818 yr Author I think theres a ton of pressure being a closer...not that easy once you think about it. just look at the mets. now that wagner is on the dl their bullpen is falling apart. the closer role is a little more important than you guys think. That's b/c they are mediocre middle relievers, as well. You don't think a good middle reliever (like for example...Joe Nelson this year) would be just as effective closing? You think Francisco Rodriguez deserves 15 million + this offseason, just b/c he gets "saves?" If KRod was getting "holds" he probably wouldn't get much more than 2-3 million per year, this upcoming offseason. No doubt...it's nice to have a solid closer. But casual fans make too much of the word "save." Even GM's do the same.
August 8, 200818 yr I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. Mariano Rivera grew up in an extremely poor town in Panama. When he struck it rich, he built a giant mansion in the middle of the town and built giant walls around it to make sure the peasants stayed out. He hasn't helped his town, just looks like a dickface for doing that. He was also to good to be part of the Panamanian National team. Oh, and for the kicker, he doesn't live in that house. He visits it every once in a while...by helicopter, mainly because there are no well paved roads. Not exactly modest. damn, rivera is a dickead. after reading that story i lost all respect for rivera.
August 8, 200818 yr from personal expirience closing is not as easy at it looks. yea its only 3 outs but the pressure makeseverything feel uneasy. closers need good stuff to be sucessful and they need to have control of there pitches at all times or else there toast but closers are not that unapriciated they get some of the loudest crowd pops ever like Maniaro Hoffman Street K Rod etc
August 8, 200818 yr Author from personal expirience closing is not as easy at it looks. yea its only 3 outs but the pressure makeseverything feel uneasy. It's the same for middle relievers coming in to get out of a jam, with a 1 run lead. You could easily say a middle reliever faces more pressure than a closer, during a game. Consider all the circumstances.
August 8, 200818 yr Author How about this for a test? Closer A 2.40 ERA 1.25 WHIP 53 games, 48.2 innings (less than 1 inning per appearance) 51 K's/28 BB's .189 opponents average .613 opponents .OPS Closer B 2.38 ERA 1.23 WHIP 54 games, 53 innings (also less than 1 per appearance...but not quite like Closer A) 44 K's/28 BB's .198 opponents average .547 opponents .OPS Who would you rather have? And if you pick one...wouldn't you say the stats are, rather, even? My point will be made after your answer.
August 8, 200818 yr id pick B but he probably has more blown saves and loses but w/e lets see i pick B
August 8, 200818 yr Author id pick B but he probably has more blown saves and loses but w/e lets see i pick B Pick B is the guy we've all bashed at one point or another this year...Kevin Gregg. Pick A is the guy who is looking to become the highest paid reliever ever this offseason...Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez. The difference? KRod is publicized more b/c...he has 20 more SAVES. Yet, fact is, the only reason he has so many more "saves" is b/c he has 18 more save opportunities, to begin with.
August 8, 200818 yr yea good point plus k rods on 1 of the fielding teams and best team in the MLB in another case Super Kev kicks K rods ass but people tht dont follow the marlins would say otherwise
August 8, 200818 yr I have said this before, it doesn't take an all star to pitch 1 scoreless inning, hell i believe VandenHurk could close if given the chance, all it takes is a ton of poise, look around the league, there is not one closer who is either humble or modest, they have to have loads of confidence to close out a game Well, that's not true. Mariano Rivera comes to mind. Not sure what being "humble" has to do with it. Heck, if anything, I respect Kevin Gregg for his humbleness. Mariano Rivera grew up in an extremely poor town in Panama. When he struck it rich, he built a giant mansion in the middle of the town and built giant walls around it to make sure the peasants stayed out. He hasn't helped his town, just looks like a dickface for doing that. He was also to good to be part of the Panamanian National team. Oh, and for the kicker, he doesn't live in that house. He visits it every once in a while...by helicopter, mainly because there are no well paved roads. Not exactly modest. Huh? Wow...never heard that story about Mariano. I was just referring to how he acts AFTER saves...(A.K.A not showing off, really). Got a link to those stories, Rab? I have no link. The only link is my Panamanian blood. It's a rather well known fact back in Panama.
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