Saves are a fairly new stat and back in the 70's closers (like Gossage) would pitch 2 innings quite frequently.
A guy like Mo pitches what 80 innings in a year ? A workhorse starter ( like CC) will go 250+ . Closers have it easy. They should be "stoppers" and brought in anytime after the 5th inning when the situation calls for it. Like say the starter starts to lose it in the 6th in a close game and loads the bases with one out....then bring in your "closer" to "save" that situation ( and pitch the 7th) instead of some bum out of the pen that will give up runs.
Pitching just the 9th when ahead ( a save situation) just intentionally inflates that save stat, use your best reliever ( the closer) when most needed.
Rivera's record will be broken, he was great, but I'd use my pitching staff, as a staff if managing and not hesitate to put in the relief ace when most needed. There is no game to save if the bum pitchers in most bullpens relieve the starter with runners on.
A guy like Mo pitches what 80 innings in a year ? A workhorse starter ( like CC) will go 250+ . Closers have it easy. They should be "stoppers" and brought in anytime after the 5th inning when the situation calls for it. Like say the starter starts to lose it in the 6th in a close game and loads the bases with one out....then bring in your "closer" to "save" that situation ( and pitch the 7th) instead of some bum out of the pen that will give up runs.
Pitching just the 9th when ahead ( a save situation) just intentionally inflates that save stat, use your best reliever ( the closer) when most needed.
Rivera's record will be broken, he was great, but I'd use my pitching staff, as a staff if managing and not hesitate to put in the relief ace when most needed. There is no game to save if the bum pitchers in most bullpens relieve the starter with runners on.
Mo basically did it by playing 15 years and averaging 40 saves a year, he's so considered a God for pitching 75 innings a year when every chance he gets ( almost) qualifies as a "save". Hoffman is right behind Mo at 601.
Saves are over-rated, find situations to use guys like Mo instead of spoon-feeding them saves to boost their stats.
Saves are over-rated, find situations to use guys like Mo instead of spoon-feeding them saves to boost their stats.
600+ saves is not the equivalent of 750 homers
Saves is still a new stat in the way we look at it these days.
The game has changed in the last 30 years.
Kimbrel came into the league at a very young age.
He has been the closer since day one.
Oh, and he's awesome.
And I dont get all this if he leaves Atlanta talk.
Why cant he do it in Atlanta?
Makes no sense.
Saves is still a new stat in the way we look at it these days.
The game has changed in the last 30 years.
Kimbrel came into the league at a very young age.
He has been the closer since day one.
Oh, and he's awesome.
And I dont get all this if he leaves Atlanta talk.
Why cant he do it in Atlanta?
Makes no sense.
I'm with you on this Chop ! If Kimbrel can average 35 saves a year for the next 15 years , he will be around 600. It's not like asking a starter to win 15 a year for 20 years straight to get to 300 wins. A closer throws very few innings and can get 3 saves in a week on 3 IP.
Mo may add a few more to his 608, but that # is reachable unless closers start to get used differently...like when they are most needed in the game.
The save stat has not matured yet.600 saves is going to get broken many times in the next 50 years.
The career saves leader in 2012 is the equivalent of what being the career homerun leader was in 1912.
We are just now getting to the point of the 1st generation career 1 inning save specialist retiring now.
And the 2 best of the 1st generation are both number 1 and 2 in career saves.
Kimbrel will probably have his 200th save at the same age Rivera was when he got his 1st.
The career saves leader in 2012 is the equivalent of what being the career homerun leader was in 1912.
We are just now getting to the point of the 1st generation career 1 inning save specialist retiring now.
And the 2 best of the 1st generation are both number 1 and 2 in career saves.
Kimbrel will probably have his 200th save at the same age Rivera was when he got his 1st.
My point exactly.
That's why I said the position changed 30 years ago.
Kimbrel is making a run at that record right now.
