Mariano Rivera- the greatest baseball player any of us will ever see

[Br0nxer]

Enjoy him boys

Because the ride is coming to an end

Soak it all in. Your grandkids will be telling there grandkids about this guy. The closest to a mythical baseball player any of us will ever see.

The Willie Mays and Babe Ruth of our time.

Top 15 PLAYER in the history of the game, Its been a pleasure watching him.

There arent enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe the great Rivera

[pavyracer]

Barry Bonds was the best player I have ever seen.

[Brock Landers]

Pujols is just as good, if not better

[Br0nxer]

Mark Grace put it best

"I just got a hit off GOD to win the world series"

[Tech N9ne]

I'd take Miguel Cabrera over Mariano any day of the week

[hawley]

Homer alert.

[BobHarvey]

Best closer? Yes he's miles and miles ahead of whoever is second. Best player? No. That's got to go to an everyday player who didn't bend the rules. Current best player of all-time; Albert Pujols.

[Br0nxer]

Best closer? Yes he's miles and miles ahead of whoever is second. Best player? No. That's got to got to an everyday player who didn't bend the rules. Current best player of all-time; Albert Pujols.

i didnt say he was todays best player-that goes to fat albert

but he is a top 15 player of all time

and that is not in question

[hawley]

i didnt say he was todays best player-that goes to fat albert

but he is a top 15 player of all time

and that is not in question

This is correct.

[pavyracer]

Best closer? Yes he's miles and miles ahead of whoever is second. Best player? No. That's got to got to an everyday player who didn't bend the rules. Current best player of all-time; Albert Pujols.

Not sure if Rivera didn't bend the rules. The strike zone at Yankee Stadium in the 9th inning is the biggest one in all ballparks.

[robmpink]

i didnt say he was todays best player-that goes to fat albert

but he is a top 15 player of all time

and that is not in question

Top 15 all time baseball players? You have got to be kidding me. How do you even rank a closer into the top 15 baseball players of all time?

[Br0nxer]

Top 15 all time baseball players? You have got to be kidding me. How do you even rank a closer into the top 15 baseball players of all time?

[robmpink]

Really, lets have a short educated discussion. That is all. Based on the subject. We could differ opinions. It's all good.

Tell me why you think he is one of the top 15 baseball players of all time?

[Dirty Sanchez]

Barry Bonds was the best player I have ever seen.

[robmpink]

When you say top 15 that doesn't mean pick 1 player at every position. Is he the best closer ever. Yes, I say so, but that doesn't even mean he is is the top 30 players.

[Br0nxer]

When you say top 15 that doesn't mean pick 1 player at every position. Is he the best closer ever. Yes, I say so, but that doesn't even mean he is is the top 30 players.

top 15 PLAYER

the whole list of players and pitchers in the HISTORY of the game

he slots right in very seamlessly around 15. dont question it. its a FACT

[robmpink]

top 15 PLAYER

the whole list of players and pitchers in the HISTORY of the game

he slots right in very seamlessly around 15. dont question it. its a FACT

It isn't a fact, especially since the closer role has been what it is the past 30 years.

[robmpink]

To clarify, he ranks in the top 15 of these HOF's

Aaron, Henry L. (Hank)
Alexander, Grover C. (Pete)
Alomar, Roberto
Alston, Walter E.
Anderson, George L.
Anson, Adrian C. (Cap)
Aparicio Montiel, Luis E.
Appling, Lucius B. (Luke)
Ashburn, Don Richard (Richie)
Averill, Howard Earl
Baker, John Franklin (Home Run)
Bancroft, David J. (Beauty)
Banks, Ernest
Barlick, Albert Joseph
Barrow, Edward G.
Beckley, Jacob P.
Bell, James T. (Cool Papa)
Bench, Johnny L.
Bender, Charles A. (Chief)
Berra, Lawrence P. (Yogi)
Blyleven, Bert
Boggs, Wade
Bottomley, James L.
Boudreau, Louis
Bresnahan, Roger P.
Brett, George H.
Brock, Louis C.
Brouthers, Dennis (Dan)
Brown, Mordecai
Brown, Raymond
Brown, Willard
Bulkeley, Morgan G.
Bunning, James
Burkett, Jesse C.
Campanella, Roy
Carew, Rodney C.
Carey, Max, G.
Carlton, Steven N.
Carter, Gary E.
Cartwright, Alexander J.
Cepeda Pennes, Orlando M.
Chadwick, Henry
Chance, Frank L.
Chandler, Albert B. (Happy)
Charleston, Oscar M.
Chesbro, John D. (Jack)
Chylak, Nestor L.
Clarke, Fred C.
Clarkson, John G.
Clemente Walker, Roberto
Cobb, Tyrus R. (Ty)
Cochrane, Gordon S. (Mickey)
Collins, Edward T.
Collins, James J.
Combs, Earle B.
Comiskey, Charles A.
Conlan, John B. (Jocko)
Connolly, Thomas H.
Connor, Roger
Cooper, Andy
Coveleski, Stanley
Crawford, Samuel E.
Cronin, Joseph E.
Cummings, William A. (Candy)
Cuyler, Hazen S. (Kiki)
Dandridge, Raymond E.
Davis, George S.
Dawson, Andre N.
Day, Leon
Dean, Jay H. (Dizzy)
Delahanty, Edward J.
Dickey, William M.
Dihigo Llanos, Martín
DiMaggio, Joseph P.
Doby, Lawrence E. (Larry)
Doerr, Robert P.
Dreyfuss, Barney
Drysdale, Donald S.
Duffy, Hugh
Durocher, Leo
Eckersley, Dennis L.
Evans, William G.
Evers, John J.
Ewing, William (Buck)
Faber, Urban C. (Red)
Feller, Robert W.A.
Ferrell, Richard B.
Fingers, Roland G. (Rollie)
Fisk, Carlton E.
Flick, Elmer H.
Ford, Edward C. (Whitey)
Foster, Andrew (Rube)
Foster, William H.
Fox, Jacob N. (Nellie)
Foxx, James E.
Frick, Ford C.
Frisch, Frank F.
Galvin, James F. (Pud)
Gehrig, Henry Louis (Lou)
Gehringer, Charles L.
Gibson, Joshua
Gibson, Robert
Giles, Warren C.
Gillick, Pat
Gomez, Vernon L. (Lefty)
Gordon, Joseph L.
Goslin, Leon A. (Goose)
Gossage, Richard (Goose)
Grant, Franklin
Greenberg, Henry B. (Hank)
Griffith, Clark C.
Grimes, Burleigh A.
Grove, Robert M. (Lefty)
Gwynn, Anthony K. (Tony)
Hafey, Charles J. (Chick)
Haines, Jesse J.
Hamilton, William R.
Hanlon, Edward H. (Ned)
Harridge, William
Harris, Stanley R. (Bucky)
Hartnett, Charles L. (Gabby)
Harvey, Harold D. (Doug)
Heilmann, Harry E.
Henderson, Rickey N.H.
Herman, William J.
Herzog, Dorrel N.E. (Whitey)
Hill, Pete
Hooper, Harry B.
Hornsby, Rogers
Hoyt, Waite C.
Hubbard, Robert Cal
Hubbell, Carl O.
Huggins, Miller J.
Hulbert, William
Hunter, James A. (Catfish)
Irvin, Monford (Monte)
Jackson, Reginald M.
Jackson, Travis C.
Jenkins, Ferguson A. (Fergie)
Jennings, Hugh A.
Johnson, Byron Bancroft (Ban)
Johnson, Walter P.
Johnson, William J. (Judy)
Joss, Adrian (Addie)
Kaline, Albert W.
Keefe, Timothy J.
Keeler, Willie H. (Wee Willie)
Kell, George C.
Kelley, Joseph J.
Kelly, George L.
Kelly, Michael J. (King)
Killebrew, Harmon C.
Kiner, Ralph M.
Klein, Charles H.
Klem, William J.
Koufax, Sanford (Sandy)
Kuhn, Bowie
Lajoie, Napoleon (Nap)
Landis, Kenesaw M.
Lasorda, Thomas C.
Lazzeri, Anthony M.
Lemon, Robert G.
Leonard, Walter F. (Buck)
Lindstrom, Frederick C.
Lloyd, John H. (Pop)
Lombardi, Ernest N.
Lopez, Alfonso R.
Lyons, Theodore A.
Mack, Cornelius A. (Connie)
Mackey, James R. (Biz)
MacPhail, Leland S. (Larry)
MacPhail, Leland S. (Lee)
Manley, Effa
Mantle, Mickey C.
Manush, Henry E. (Heinie)
Maranville, Walter J. (Rabbit)
Marichal Sánchez, Juan A.
Marquard, Richard W. (Rube)
Mathews, Edwin L.
Mathewson, Christopher (Christy)
Mays, Willie H.
Mazeroski, Williams S.
McCarthy, Joseph V.
McCarthy, Thomas F.
McCovey, Willie L.
McGinnity, Joseph J.
McGowan, William A.
McGraw, John J.
McKechnie, William B.
McPhee, John A. (Bid)
Medwick, Joseph M.
Méndez, José
Mize, John R.
Molitor, Paul L.
Morgan, Joe L.
Murray, Eddie C.
Musial, Stanley F.
Newhouser, Harold (Hal)
Nichols, Charles A. (Kid)
Niekro, Philip H.
O’Malley, Walter
O’Rourke, James H.
Ott, Melvin T. (Mel)
Paige, Leroy R. (Satchel)
Palmer, James A.
Pennock, Herbert J.
Pérez Rigal, Atanasio (Tony)
Perry, Gaylord J.
Plank, Edward S.
Pompez, Alejandro (Alex)
Posey, Cumberland (***)
Puckett, Kirby
Radbourn, Charles G. (Old
Hoss)
Reese, Harold H. (Pee Wee)
Rice, Edgar C. (Sam)
Rice, James E.
Rickey, Wesley Branch
Ripken Jr., Calvin E. (Cal)
Rixey, Eppa
Rizzuto, Phillip F.
Roberts, Robin E.
Robinson, Brooks C.
Robinson, Frank
Robinson, Jack R.
Robinson, Wilbert
Rogan, Wilber J. (Bullet)
Roush, Edd J.
Ruffing, Charles H. (Red)
Rusie, Amos W.
Ruth, George H. (Babe)
Ryan, Lynn Nolan
Sandberg, Ryne
Santop, Louis
Schalk, Raymond W.
Schmidt, Michael J.
Schoendienst, Albert F. (Red)
Seaver, George T. (Tom)
Selee, Frank G.
Sewell, Joseph W.
Simmons, Aloysius H. (Al)
Sisler, George H.
Slaughter, Enos B. (Country)
Smith, Hilton
Smith, Osborne Earl (Ozzie)
Snider, Edwin D. (Duke)
Southworth, Billy
Spahn, Warren E.
Spalding, Albert G.
Speaker, Tristram E. (Tris)
Stargell, Wilver D. (Willie)
Stearnes, Norman T. (Turkey)
Stengel, Charles D. (Casey)
Sutter, Bruce
Suttles, George (Mule)
Sutton, Donald H.
Taylor, Ben
Terry, William H.
Thompson, Samuel L.
Tinker, Joseph B.
Torriente, Cristóbal
Traynor, Harold J. (Pie)
Vance, Arthur C. (Dazzy)
Vaughan, Joseph F. (Arky)
Veeck, William L.
Waddell, George E. (Rube)
Wagner, John P. (Honus)
Wallace, Roderick J. (Bobby)
Walsh, Edward A.
Waner, Lloyd J.
Waner, Paul G.
Ward, John Montgomery
Weaver, Earl S.
Weiss, George M.
Welch, Michael F. (Mickey)
Wells, Willie J.
Wheat, Zachariah D.
White, Solomon
Wilhelm, James Hoyt
Wilkinson, J.L.
Williams, Billy L.
Williams, Richard (Dick)
Williams, Joe (Smokey)
Williams, Theodore S.
Willis, Victor G.
Wilson, Ernest (Jud)
Wilson, Lewis R. (Hack)
Winfield, David M.
Wright, George
Wright, William H. (Harry)
Wynn, Early
Yastrzemski, Carl M.
Yawkey, Thomas A.
Young, Denton T. (Cy)
Youngs, Royce M. (Ross)
Yount, Robin R.

[robmpink]

This kind of reminds me when I told my college room mate that Horace Grant was better than Tim Duncan.

[harlee71]

He may be a top closer, but not even a top 15 pitcher.

[Tech N9ne]

If Mariano was a Kansas City royal nobody would give a fukk

Its all because he's a Yankee

Overhyped

[lakerboy]

Not sure if Rivera didn't bend the rules. The strike zone at Yankee Stadium in the 9th inning is the biggest one in all ballparks.

good point. all of rivers big blown saves came on the road in the playoffs. cleve in 97/zona in 2001 and bos in 2004

[Naz18]

If Mariano was a Kansas City royal nobody would give a fukk Its all because he's a Yankee Overhyped

He'd probably put up better numbers if he was with the Royals...

[Br0nxer]

He may be a top closer, but not even a top 15 pitcher.

[rsnnh12]

Ruth
Gehrig
Teddy Ballgame
Aaron
Mays
Musial
DiMaggio
Ty Cobb
Nolan Ryan
Bob Feller
Johnny Bench
Brooks Robinson
Frank Robinson
Tris Speaker
Barry Bonds
Ken Griffey Jr
Pujols

Just off the top of my head, all guys that I would take over Rivera. Barely even touched pitchers, but it would probably include Maddux, Pedro, and Clemens from the modern era. Big Unit probably as well

Rivera is a legend, his cutter is amazing, but not top 15 all time. I would say top 15 pitcher though, for sure.

[305GURU]

He'll be the saves leader when its all said and done...one of a kind, HOF yankee legend, i wouldnt want anyone else on the mound closing a game!

[Delicious]

Hmmm.. a yankees fan who knows little about baseball. Go figure

[Br0nxer]

Hmmm.. a yankees fan who knows little about baseball. Go figure

please

and you would be who again

same generic answer from every royal and pirate fan in the world

"bandwagon yankees fan" or "clueless yankee fan" sorry your team sucks pal. not my fault

[wtf]

barry bonds? r u joking

five minutes after he left the team they won a world series, coincidence? not

[The Bet Master]

Everyone seems to forget that the guy blew a world series...

[will2survive]

If we're not talking about everyday players, Mariano Rivera is the best closer ever and Pedro Martinez is the best starting pitcher since 1980. We know that neither of these men have done steroids.

If someone wants to say that Pujols is the best, I want to KNOW that he didn't do steroids and I'll agree. Barry Bonds was a great player before steroids. Alex Rodriguez was great before steroids.


Since I've been watching baseball (1976 -was 5 years old), If I needed someone to come up in a clutch situation to win a big game I would choose George Brett of Kansas City. He was a great competitor. Guys like Tony Gwynn and Ichiro Suzuki are overlooked due to lack of power. Steroids taints the question "who's the best?".

[High3rEl3m3nt]

He's a special pitcher, but outside of New York, Mariano's legacy can be more accurately identified. Bronx is just yanking your guys' chains...there's no way he seriously considers him to be in the top 15 ever...funny to see people react though.

[harlee71]

I think the Yanks could have been just as good with say Billy Wagner who's career is pretty equal to Rivera. Put Wagner on the Yanks instead and the same could probably be said about him. That is what makes relievers less important in the overall scheme of baseball. Over the years there have been numerous guys that had the stuff for 1-3 innings. That doesn't make you a HOFer to me personally.

[ehp6737]

Best closer in my lifetime? Probably

Best player in my lifetime? Lay off the fukkin crack

How the hell can a closer be the best player of my generation? Not a fukkin chance

[Bob Loblaw]

Mark Grace put it best

"I just got a hit off GOD to win the world series"

As good as his overall numbers may look, a top 15 player of all time wouldn't blow a world series one year and then blow a trip to the world series 3 years later. Especially when his only job is to shut the door for an inning or two.