Sunday, November 30, 2008
2008 MLB All Star Game
Mo returns to the dugout in the 10th inning, 2008 All Star game at the stadium. NYDNews photo
Peter Abraham sends regards to Mariano
"In 10 or 20 years, when there is a better perspective of what the Yankees accomplished from 1996-2007,
- it will be Rivera who stands alone as the most valuable player of that period.
How many starting pitchers do you think were able to pitch confidently knowing that Mariano was behind them? How many times did the hitters know in a tight game that one run was all they needed?
- You can’t statistically measure what a lock-down reliever means to an entire team, or how much easier it makes the life of a manager.
- Meanwhile Rivera has been a good teammate, a friend of young pitchers and unfailingly polite and accountable to those around the team"...
(His 117.1 post season innings are the equivalent of 2 full additional seasons while others were resting up to accumulate the next year's cheap save stat). sm
- Many BBWAA members would agree with Mr. Abraham's statement but nevertheless ensured Mo's name never came up well enough for Cy Young or MVP over many years and amidst all the criteria voting types defend. Chris Russo on WFAN gave an obvious reason for the slight when Mo didn't win AL Cy Young in 2005. sm
Friday, November 28, 2008
Happy Birthday, Mo!
On November 29, 1969, Mariano Rivera arrived on the scene in Panama City, Panama. I was reminded of his 39th birthday by Peter Abraham's notation today:
- "Mariano Rivera: He was the MVP of the dynasty and is unquestionably
- the best player ever at his position. He’ll be 39 on Saturday and nothing lasts forever.
- But in a world of few sure things, he remains one."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tony Dungy cites Mariano Rivera after Colts win v Steelers
(From Colts.com, 'The Closer'): "It was (Melvin) Bullitt’s team-high fifth interception of the season, but as importantly,
his second game-clinching interception in as many weeks and
third in 10 games this season....
Bullitt, a free agent from Texas A&M, intercepted Rosenfels in Houston in Week 5 to clinch a come-from-behind, 31-27 victory at Reliant Stadium,
and last week, with the Colts leading 24-20 on the game’s final play, his one-handed, end-zone interception off a pass from Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger again secured the victory.
“We were mentioning that in there (the locker room),” (Tony) Dungy said. “It’s kind of
(New York Yankees relief pitcher) Mariano Rivera.
It’s not often you get one to end a game in a season, but having three and three big ones when we needed them, that’s great." 11/17/08
