Sunday, November 30, 2008
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
