Mariano Rivera has been through a lot of tough postseasons. His career stats over 133 innings are nothing short of amazing.
Somehow, at his advanced age, Mo tied his single postseason record with 16 innings pitched. He set a career high in games pitched with 12. He came in to the 8th inning 8 times, and with men on base five times. Rivera picked up the slack for a young bullpen that proved especially shakey in October.
Rivera’s velocity was dropping to the high 80s by the World Series. His control was a bit worse than usual, and he often had to throw more pitches.
How long can Rivera keep this up? He stated last night that he wanted to play five more years. I find that hard to fathom. Rivera’s cutter seems to be moving more at lower veloctity, but there is a point where he becomes hittable. But in the near term, I think that we can expect more of the same from Mo. His K/BB rates are actually better than in his prime years, and he still has the same fluid motion.
While fans will remember Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, an and the rest, I think that we’ve seen Mariano Rivera endeer himself to Yankee fans in a different way. He’ll likely be the first member of the 90s dynasty to enter the Hall of Fame, and will be a key symbol to that generation of fans.
Think of it this way: The Yankees got to Brian Fuentes, Joe Nathan, and Brad Lidge this October, but no one was able to beat Mariano Rivera.
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the Yankees got to Nathan, Fuentes, and Lidge, the Phillies got to Street and Broxton, the Dodgers got to Franklin, and the Angels got to Papelbon. Mo = untouchable
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The only player who before this post-season that you could even think about thinking about thinking about putting in a sentence next to a sentence with Mo was Papelbon. But he had not done it long enough to get there and this post-season blew a multiple run lead (something Mo has never done in the post-season). Yanks greatest weapon is Mo and I hope he can pitch several more years, get the all-time Saves record and win us some more Championships.
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I think the fact that he was the only closer not to meltdown during the playoffs tells you all you need to know in regards to why the Yankees are World Champions.
Off topic for a second, I hope you guys post schilling’s comments from earlier today (can be found at Pete Abe’s new blog) so we can rip on him in the comment section.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Schilling is a whiny idiot. Let him talk, the Yankees have the rings. I have no intention, except on Twitter, to comment or post on any of these “they bought it” articles. The Yankees used their advantages for the last 9 seasons, and they finally won one. We can bask in it, let everyone else whine.
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Mariano admited that he was hurt for the last week. He pulled an oblique muscle and wasn’t 100%. I think that is why you saw his velocity drop a bit and his command in the WS being off.
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So did anyone see where Mariano says he wants to play for another 5 years?
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DaveinMD Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
He said it during the postgame trophy presentation on the field.
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The other Chris H Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I believe the guy is a freak but playing as a closer until he is 44? I’m not sure if he can do it…
If he does I can’t see the Yankees signing him to a long term contract, they should do it like Boston does with Wakefield and just agree on a mutual 1 year option that they can keep picking up until he decides he is done.
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DaveinMD Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I think it was likely hyperbole. But I will leave you with this.
Every spring he plays around with a change up that everyone says is a great pitch. He made the Reds look foolish with that pitch. A softer cutter with that change and he could pitch as long as he wants.
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The other Chris H Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
He followed up on it later and said he wants the organization to bring him back for 5 more years…
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