Is There Even Any TRUE Closer Anymore???

[SustainDan]

It seem like every closer is in doubt when you bring them in the game..you come in to pitch one inning a game and blow it, Papelbon, jenks, ray, and rivera seem clutch in most instances yet most other closers are in doubt. I honestly dont get it...is it nerves?? if it is they shouldnt be there anyways

[JimmyBlaze]

I'm not too happy with Papelbon after blowing the save in the bottom of the 9th today.

Speaking of bad closers how does Detroit have the best record in Baseball with Todd Jones as their closer?

[CheechB03]

Dan, you can't expect a closer like Papelbon to close every game. It'll never happen. The problem is the average closers. There's not enough quality pitchers for 30 teams let alone closers.

[Three Jack]

How many closers have gone an entire season without blowing a save or two? Mariano, even in his best years, blew 3-5 saves each year.

[twr108]

The closer is the most overrated role/position in baseball. It's great to have one, but you can get along just as well with a solid bullpen. Consistency is good, but there are not many as good as Rivera, Papelbon, Jenks, Hoffman, etc. (The exceptions that make the rule.) What is the matter with having a closer pitch two or three innings. Before Rivera went mainstream, he was a mediocre starter, then a long reliever, then a set-up for Wetteland, then the closer. If you have balls (and no ear for the media) as a reliever, you will be a good closer. But the position is unneeded in my view.

[twr108]

It seem like every closer is in doubt when you bring them in the game..you come in to pitch one inning a game and blow it, Papelbon, jenks, ray, and rivera seem clutch in most instances yet most other closers are in doubt. I honestly dont get it...is it nerves?? if it is they shouldnt be there anyways

How many times does a good starter give up a run in the first inning? That is why the closers should pitch two or more innings.

[WayneChung]

dan.imo,the last 3 years or so,relief pitching sucks.remember when the yankees brought mendoza and rivera in from the 7th inning on-if they had a lead it was lights out,is there any combination in baseball anywhere close to those guys right now-ae- a setup man and a closer ? chunger !! ps-WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BOY DUKE OF EARL,A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE SAID THE NEW PITCHING COACH FOR PITT. CHANGED HIS MECHANICS !!

[twr108]

dan.imo,the last 3 years or so,relief pitching sucks.remember when the yankees brought mendoza and rivera in from the 7th inning on-if they had a lead it was lights out,is there any combination in baseball anywhere close to those guys right now-ae- a setup man and a closer?

The set-up man goes for the bigger contract as the closer or bad starter, such as Mendoza did. Why be #2 for a good team when you can be #1 for a shoddy team.

[WayneChung]

dan.imo,the last 3 years or so,relief pitching sucks.remember when the yankees brought mendoza and rivera in from the 7th inning on-if they had a lead it was lights out,is there any combination in baseball anywhere close to those guys right now-ae- a setup man and a closer ? chunger !! ps-WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BOY DUKE OF EARL,A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE SAID THE NEW PITCHING COACH FOR PITT. CHANGED HIS MECHANICS !!

ALSO DAN WHO WAS THAT ROOKIE YOU WON A BIG PLAY ON THE OTHER NIGHT,YOU SAID YOU SAW HIM PITCH IN SPRING TRAINING,I FORGET WHERE YOU POSTED IT BUT THE KID LOOKED GREAT ? LASTLY- I BELIEVE THIS HAMELS FOR PHILLY IS THE REAL DEAL !!

[SustainDan]

Chung...they did alter the dukes pitching technique, WHY?? I dont know, maybe he has no brains...Mike Pelfrey is the pitcher i mentioned him hes on the mets and will be a number 3 starter by next year behind pedro and glavine...Hamels is good its just his run support sucks, the phillies either score a ghastly amount of runs or dont score at all. CHUNGER what did i tell ya about FRANCISCO LIRIANO at the beginning of the year told ya hed be a stud now he is top running for CY YOUNG WOOHOOO

[WayneChung]

Chung...they did alter the dukes pitching technique, WHY?? I dont know, maybe he has no brains...Mike Pelfrey is the pitcher i mentioned him hes on the mets and will be a number 3 starter by next year behind pedro and glavine...Hamels is good its just his run support sucks, the phillies either score a ghastly amount of runs or dont score at all. CHUNGER what did i tell ya about FRANCISCO LIRIANO at the beginning of the year told ya hed be a stud now he is top running for CY YOUNG WOOHOOO

THANKS BUDDY,I KNOW PITT SUCKS BUT DUKE HAS BEEN GETTING HAMMERED-MAKES SENSE ABOUT HIS MECHANICS BEING ALTERED !!