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thegame
April 26th, 2003, 11:01:31 PM
Who is number 1?

Here are some names:

Mariano Rivera (NYY)
John Smoltz (ATL)
Billy Wagner (HOU)
Trevor Hoffeman (SAN)
Antonio Alfonseca (CHC)
Troy Percival (ANA)
Kazahero Sazaki (SEA)
Jason Isringhousen (STL)
Mike MacDougal (KAN)
Ugeth Urbina (TEX)
Kieth Foulke (CHS)
Eddie Guardado (MIN)
Eric Gagne (LA)

My pick is John Smoltz. He has the best stuff of any closer in the NL, probably in all of MLB. He can close from the 8th inning if need be, his fastball has greater movement than at any time in his career, and most of all... He has been able to make the change over to being a closer from starter with as much success as he has had in the previous role. He still has a 0.00 ERA in 13.1 innings of work this season, and has not blown a save in his last 25 chances dating back to last season, when he had 55 saves and only 4 blown saves in his FIRST full season in that critical role.
PUCKER
April 26th, 2003, 11:39:23 PM
Mariano Rivera (NYY)
Brady Sucks
April 26th, 2003, 11:48:15 PM
that would have nothing to do with the fact that you are a yankee fan now, eh?
PUCKER
April 27th, 2003, 1:17:35 AM
Maybe... ;)

My top 3 closers:

1. Riveria
2. Smoltz
3. Percival
Hurls
April 28th, 2003, 12:19:01 AM
Rivera,Smoltz, Gagne
EricStratton
April 28th, 2003, 8:23:13 AM
I'd go with Mariano Rivera (best postseason closer of all time) first, Troy Percival (got the WS ring and was vital to it) second, and John Smoltz third.

If John has another year like last year and Atlanta advances in the playoffs then he could move up.
Snarf
April 28th, 2003, 9:42:37 AM
1. Troy Percival
2. John Smoltz
3. Billy Wanger

As for Rivera in my opinion he is the most overrated player in baseball. He is good, but not the best in the game. I still remember a little bloop falling in for a base hit to win the world series, when he was pitching.

Percival is a great closer, just give him the ball with the lead and he will get you a win.

Closer is tuff, because one minute they are here, the next they are gone and someone new is the best in the game. Look at guys like Beck and John Wetland (sp?), where are they now.?
WyomingBills
April 28th, 2003, 10:50:27 AM
How about the closer with the most so far this year with also with the team who has played the fewest amount of games so far:
Mike MacDougal with 10 saves in 11 opportunities with a 1-1 record
MiamiMasterpiece
April 28th, 2003, 12:32:45 PM
WHAT?

When healthy, Rob Nen is the best closer, look at the stats.

As far as present, i'll say smoltz, that guy has incredible stuff at his age.

Percival and Gagne also have dominating stuff.

I think MacDougal will cool off soon, KC cant keep up at this pace and if they do, MacDougal won't.
Snarf
April 28th, 2003, 2:10:07 PM
Originally posted by MiamiMasterpiece


I think MacDougal will cool off soon, KC cant keep up at this pace and if they do, MacDougal won't.

Looks like they are already starting to cool off, dropping two of three to Toronto and in yesterdays lose, they blew a 9-4 lead in the 9th inning.
Hurls
April 29th, 2003, 2:05:55 AM
Originally posted by Snarf
1. Troy Percival
2. John Smoltz
3. Billy Wanger

As for Rivera in my opinion he is the most overrated player in baseball. He is good, but not the best in the game. I still remember a little bloop falling in for a base hit to win the world series, when he was pitching.

Percival is a great closer, just give him the ball with the lead and he will get you a win.

Closer is tuff, because one minute they are here, the next they are gone and someone new is the best in the game. Look at guys like Beck and John Wetland (sp?), where are they now.?

Gimme a break. Before the bloop(at least people admit it was a bloop fluke), Rivera was UNSCORED on since Alomar hit that tater off him in 97. Ya, that's overrated? And he played every year, no ones record is even close to Rivera's postseason

:hmm:
Hurls
April 29th, 2003, 2:08:28 AM
Originally posted by Snarf
1. Troy Percival
2. John Smoltz
3. Billy Wanger

As for Rivera in my opinion he is the most overrated player in baseball. He is good, but not the best in the game. I still remember a little bloop falling in for a base hit to win the world series, when he was pitching.

Percival is a great closer, just give him the ball with the lead and he will get you a win.

Closer is tuff, because one minute they are here, the next they are gone and someone new is the best in the game. Look at guys like Beck and John Wetland (sp?), where are they now.?

Beck and Wetteland? They pitched forever, man, get your facts straight before you throw their names out as "here and gone"
pilsnertobills
April 29th, 2003, 3:22:29 AM
Smoltz does not have the best stuff in baseball...sorry....
thegame
April 29th, 2003, 12:11:36 PM
^ In my view, he has the best stuff of any closer in the game today...Sorry....
Snarf
April 29th, 2003, 3:14:29 PM
Originally posted by hurls
Beck and Wetteland? They pitched forever, man, get your facts straight before you throw their names out as "here and gone"

They did pitch for a long time, and Beck is still pitching, but not at as dominate closer he once was. Wetteland was not the pitcher he was for the Yankees for the end in Texas. Closers do not have long careers that are dominate throughout like starters like Maddox or Johnson.