Time for debate: Is Mariano the best closer ever?

[NYCrulesU]

Yes.

No disrespect to Eck or Trevor Hoffman (2 and 3 for me), but - as was mentioned - his complete postseason dominance wins it out for him, coupled with the professionalism and class he has maintained.

Perfectly stated. +1

Did...did....did we just agree on something?
I think something heavy is about to fall on me. :lol:

(to the agreeing, not the latter part haha)

 

[JEA2880]

No debate needed. Yes.

Signed,
Mets fan

 

[i43770]

No debate needed. No.

Signed,
Diamondbacks fan

just kidding, I have no feeling either way on the subject.

 

[ffgameman]

~No, he likes to doctor pitches~

He's the best I've watched.

 

[jcmint]

If he was on another team say the Braves and they went to the playoffs every year and he pitched in some of the toughest games of his time and routinely shut down the best players in the game. The answer is yes.

I love how this was posted shortly after that spitball debacle. Expect a lot of swayed answers because of that. And to answer your question yes mariano is the best closer of all time.

This is my opinion, but if Mariano was on a different team with the same stats, he'd be considered on of the greats...and he should be! The only reason he's in talks of the best of all time is because he's in NY. If he had the exact same stats in pittsburgh, nobody would shrug their shoulders in his direction. He's an amazing closer, more then likely the best of this generation, but if he were on a different team with the same stats, none of these talks would happen.

I'm going to get flank from hardcore homers, but this is my opinion, and I'd like to see legitimate arguements putting my opinion to shame.

 

[1995BBRefractorGuy]

the hoff

 

[Jays_Cards]

Yes, by a wide, wide margin.

 

[Pinbreaker]

He's just been lucky enough to be on the Yankees.. Put him on the M's and he's like all the other closers..

In my mind the closers I have watched, I would say Lee Smith!!

 

[Jack Straw]

Put him on any team and he makes that team alot better.

 

[sheetskout]

I have had this argument time and time again. And, no.

Rollie Fingers is the best closer of all time.

Look at innings pitched per season Fingers used to come in the game in the seventh inning. The role has changed and not for the better over the past decade or two.

Pitchers like Sutter, Gossage, and Fingers will never get the recognition they deserve.

 

[hofautos]

hoffman in his prime > mariano in his prime

mariano > hoffman and all other closers all time
no debate

 

[KOBEARODLT]

mariano...not even close

 

[011873]

Heres my answer

 

[andyduke86]

My thoughts-

Closers are always inherently over valued to begin with. However, Mariano is without question the best closer and probably the best relief pitcher ever. Not only has he been great during the regular season, but he has been even better in the highest leverage innings there are, in the postseason and he's thrown plenty of innings. He has simply been the best at what he does. In fact, Mariano has by far the highest adjusted ERA+ of any pitcher with 1000 innings, nearly 33% better than Pedro Martinez at #2.