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Mariano River became only the second player in MLB to record 600 saves last night in Seattle. Next up on the saves list is Trever Hoffman at 601 saves, which means that Rivera will soon be the all-time saves leader.

Rivera has the lowest ERA and WHIP of any pitcher in the live ball era (minimum 1,000 innings). His post-season numbers are even more remarkable: he has allowed just 11 earned runs in 139 innings for a 0.76 ERA.

As a Yankee fan, it has been a privilege to watch Rivera over the years. On top of his status as the greatest closer ever, Rivera is the consummate professional who wins or loses with grace, is a great teammate, and who never shows up his opponent.

The question is how long can Rivera continue to do this? His cutter remains perhaps the most devastating pitch in major league history -- remarkable, because batters know it is coming and still rarely can hit it. He can still literally shatter the bat of left-handed hitters on impact with amazing frequency. My guess is Rivera shuts down after next season, even though he will still have plenty more in his tank, and baseball will greatly diminished by his retirement.

Some years back, I predicted on the AGS sports board that Rivera would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer who would receive over 95% of the vote. Some of you scoffed, suggesting Rivera would need a few years on the ballot before getting in, given the few numbers of relievers who have made it to Cooperstown. However, I stand by my call: a first-ballot choice who will be among the rare cases of being voted in with over 95% of the vote.

Congrats to Mariano

Is that his age in dog years?

2001 World Series Game 7 Blown Saves/Losses: 1

dbackjon wrote:2001 World Series Game 7 Blown Saves/Losses: 1

I noticed u had the most recent comment, and before opening the thread, I knew this would be the topic of your post.

dbackjon wrote:2001 World Series Game 7 Blown Saves/Losses: 1

Mariano's # of World Series Championships: 5

Dbacks current players combined world series championships: 0

ODUalum11 wrote:

dbackjon wrote:2001 World Series Game 7 Blown Saves/Losses: 1

Mariano's # of World Series Championships: 5

Dbacks current players combined world series championships: 0

You, like DJH, overlook Lyle Overbay at your own peril

dbackjon wrote:

ODUalum11 wrote:
Mariano's # of World Series Championships: 5

Dbacks current players combined world series championships: 0

You, like DJH, overlook Lyle Overbay at your own peril

Ian Kennedy got a ring in 09 with the Yankees
Geoff Blum got a ring in 05 with the White Sox

dbackjon wrote:2001 World Series Game 7 Blown Saves/Losses: 1

Sad night, because a cheater was able to hit a broken-bat bloop a little over 100 feet. But for steroids, that ball is an easy out.

UNHWildCats wrote:

dbackjon wrote:

You, like DJH, overlook Lyle Overbay at your own peril

Ian Kennedy got a ring in 09 with the Yankees
Geoff Blum got a ring in 05 with the White Sox

I stand corrected, however, MO still has more world series championships then the whole DBacks roster combined.

btw. How about those Red Sox?!

JoltinJoe wrote:

dbackjon wrote:2001 World Series Game 7 Blown Saves/Losses: 1

Sad night, because a cheater was able to hit a broken-bat bloop a little over 100 feet. But for steroids, that ball is an easy out.

The save was blown with a hard hit double by Tony Womack

There was only one out when Jay Bell scored, so the Dbacks were destined to win.

The best team won. Sorry (well, not really)

dbackjon wrote:

JoltinJoe wrote:
Sad night, because a cheater was able to hit a broken-bat bloop a little over 100 feet. But for steroids, that ball is an easy out.

The save was blown with a hard hit double by Tony Womack

There was only one out when Jay Bell scored, so the Dbacks were destined to win.

The best team won. Sorry (well, not really)

you enjoy living in the past?

ODUalum11 wrote:

dbackjon wrote:



The save was blown with a hard hit double by Tony Womack

There was only one out when Jay Bell scored, so the Dbacks were destined to win.

The best team won. Sorry (well, not really)

you enjoy living in the past?

Bookmarked for next "29 rings" post

dbackjon wrote:

ODUalum11 wrote:
you enjoy living in the past?

Bookmarked for next "29 rings" post

FWIW, I'd like to see the DBacks win another world series since ODU-alum Dan Hudson is on the team...as long as its not against the Yankees.

ODUalum11 wrote:

dbackjon wrote:

Bookmarked for next "29 rings" post

FWIW, I'd like to see the DBacks win another world series since ODU-alum Dan Hudson is on the team...as long as its not against the Yankees.

I think that would be perfect 2011 - tenth anniversary series - Dbacks winning against the Yankees

dbackjon wrote:

ODUalum11 wrote:
FWIW, I'd like to see the DBacks win another world series since ODU-alum Dan Hudson is on the team...as long as its not against the Yankees.

I think that would be perfect 2011 - tenth anniversary series - Dbacks winning against the Yankees

...aint gonna happen this year. I think unfortunately the DBacks will get the privelege of losing to the Phillies in the NLDS.

...I'd also like to see Ian Kennedy get a ring.

Funny thing is - if Rivera wasn't the best closer in MLB history (and this is coming from a NON-yankee fan) blowing that save in 2001 wouldn't be that big of a deal.

good for him on being the second member of the 600 club - and extra kudos for passing (soon) Hoffman for the all-time saves lead. sure-fire first ballot hall of famer - that's for sure.

One of the ESPN baseball analyst was asked this morning on Sportscenter, who's more valuable to the Yankees..Derek Jeter or Mariano Rivera?

...now that I remember I think it was Doug Glanville.

ODUalum11 wrote:One of the ESPN baseball analyst was asked this morning on Sportscenter, who's more valuable to the Yankees..Derek Jeter or Mariano Rivera?

...now that I remember I think it was Doug Glanville.

Rivera.

dbackjon wrote:

JoltinJoe wrote:
Sad night, because a cheater was able to hit a broken-bat bloop a little over 100 feet. But for steroids, that ball is an easy out.

The save was blown with a hard hit double by Tony Womack

There was only one out when Jay Bell scored, so the Dbacks were destined to win.

The best team won. Sorry (well, not really)

Womack's loopy humped-back double?

JoltinJoe wrote:

dbackjon wrote:



The save was blown with a hard hit double by Tony Womack

There was only one out when Jay Bell scored, so the Dbacks were destined to win.

The best team won. Sorry (well, not really)

Womack's loopy humped-back double?

Only thing loopy is your memory

ODUalum11 wrote:

dbackjon wrote:



The save was blown with a hard hit double by Tony Womack

There was only one out when Jay Bell scored, so the Dbacks were destined to win.

The best team won. Sorry (well, not really)

you enjoy living in the past?

A Yankee fan talking about living in the past.

UNHWildCats wrote:

ODUalum11 wrote:
you enjoy living in the past?

A Yankee fan talking about living in the past.

We owned you in the past, we own you in the present, we will own in you in the future.

We own you.

UNHWildCats wrote:

ODUalum11 wrote:
you enjoy living in the past?

A Yankee fan talking about living in the past.

I don't live in the past...you don't see me talking about the 2009 World Series still. Also I don't think red sox fans have any right to criticize other fans about living in the past.

Back in the mid-'80s, Jim Brown threatened to come out of retirement (with the Raiders, no less) to protect his rushing record. (Obviously, the comeback never happened.)

I hope Mr. Hells Bells actually DOES come back to protect his record. The Yankees do NOT deserve this....