Just How Good Is Mariano Rivera?

(The Voice of Yankees Universe)

As Yankee fans, we have been both spoiled and blessed over the last 14 seasons. 

We have had the benefit of knowing that once we heard the first chords of Metallica’s Enter Sandman, that the game was essentially over. 

It started 14 years ago when the young, scrawny, virtually unknown failed starter began to set up games for John Wetteland. 

Two quick seasons later, Rivera took over the throne and etched his way into the record books.

Throughout his first 12 seasons as a closer, the man has managed to average nearly 40 saves per season. 

While I personally believe that the “saves” statistic is vastly overrated (let’s look at Rodriguez’s numbers (62 saves) and Rivera’s numbers (39 saves) and you tell me who’d you prefer,) that is still something that cannot be ignored. 

More importantly however, we should be looking at the rest of his numbers during that span.  I don’t want to bore you with a list of stats, but just take a few into account.

1.020 career WHIP (3rd all-time.) 8.212 career K/9 (22nd all-time.) 7.034 career hits/9 (9th all-time). 3.830 career SO/BB ratio (5th all-time.)  And, last but most definitely not least, a career 199 ERA+ (1st all-time.)

Furthermore, if he had enough innings last season, he would have the highest single season ERA+ as well (317 ERA+.)

Just take a moment now, step back from your computer, and comprehend just how amazing those numbers really are. 

We have been fortunate enough to witness one of the greatest pitchers of all-time dominate baseball with ease. 

Not only that, but it occurred in an era that has been clouded with steroid allegations, and he was able to dominate with ease.

So, how good is Mariano Rivera? 

I feel completely comfortable calling him one the greatest pitchers of all time, and far-and-away the best closer of all-time. 

Whether or not he hangs around long enough to overtake Trevor Hoffman as the all-time saves leader (currently 72 behind,) doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. 

Rivera’s numbers speak for themselves, and they will surely get the one and only Mariano Rivera into Cooperstown.

Mark Melancon, or whoever else dare be up to the challenge, may we wish you luck in your journey to learn from the greatest of all-time, and to do your best to ease the transition into life post-Rivera.