Mariano Rivera

Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage claimed this past weekend that New York Yankees icon Mariano Rivera is not the best relief pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB).

“I think he (Rivera) is a tremendous relief pitcher,” said Gossage, a nine-time All-Star who played his last game for the Seattle Mariners in 1994. “He’s the best, current-day, modern reliever. When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I was told that I had 53 saves with seven-plus outs. I was told that Mariano had one and Trevor Hoffman had two. So, I think that says it in a nutshell.”

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Joba's going to be blowing it by him. Hughes is going to be blowing it by him. Even a slower Mariano Rivera is going to be blowing it by him. So Yankee fans rejoice! Big Sloppy is on his way out.

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ohn Wetteland (43 saves) occasionally the set up man would come in and earn a save, a position Mariano Rivera would become famous for in later years. And at shortstop was a rookie named Jeter.  A rare breed, with expectations that warranted one of two single digit jerseys available in the Yankee clubhouse, the other went to the new skipper, Mr. Joe Torre.   

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As the Yankees rest up on one of their few off days remaining, they are in a great position to make a move this weekend and move past the Red Sox. The one thing that cannot happen is a sweep. If they are swept and return to their light hitting ways the Yankees can kiss the division good bye and possibly the Wild Card as the Rays could add some distance to their lead. The Yankees just need one game this weekend to stay in it.

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It was also special for Yankee fans to get to show their love and admiration for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, and a lesser extent for A-Rod. The love for A-Rod is a little different than the love for the other two, I have seen their whole careers in that Stadium and it was a great chance to say thanks. With all the chanting of Derek Jeter and Mariano it was an amazing time.

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The idea for Mariano Rivera to start would have been a great story and very unorthodox, basically it was unrealistic and just a fantasy. So because it was unrealistic the choice should have been Roy Halladay. This is not to say Cliff Lee hasnt been great this year but Halladay has been one of the games best for over five years. This would be a great honor for him. His start Friday night, a two hit shutout of the Yankees should have put his 1st half resume over the top. Apparantly Francona had other ideas and went with Lee. Maybe Halladay will remember this next time he faces the Red Sox, a team that he usually cant beat, and can pitch halfway as effectively as he has versus the Yankees in his career.

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Allstar week has brought some heavy duty excitement to New York City this week. As baseball gets ready to honor America's Sports Cathedral one last time, all eyes will be on the House that Ruth Built. Since Friday there have been exciting events going on all through out the city. As All-Star week is sadly half over, I have to admit that I will be lucky enough to have been able to attend or will attend all the major events that have made up All-Star Week 2008.

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d since 1990: Bobby Thigpen of the 1990 Chicago White Sox currently holds the record with 57, while Mariano Rivera is tenth with his 50-save performance of 2001. Eric Gagne and John Smoltz have both threatened to unseat Thigpen, each coming within two saves in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

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After winning in dramatic fashion on Thursday afternoon on a walkoff two run homer by Jason Giambi, the Yankees hoped to take that momentum into tonight's game. Tonight wasn't the night as Royals rookie pitcher, Kyle Davies, pitched a gem, scattering only one run and seven hits over a well pitched 6 2/3 innings.  Davies earned the win as he rendered trhe Yankee bats quiet. Davies was called up from Triple A last Saturday. He proceeded to defeat the Indians' C.C Sabathia in snapping the Royals 12 game losing streak. Tonight he snapped the Royals 11 game road losing streak by mixing up his pitches, attacking the strike zone early and often and keeping the Yankees hitters off balanced and guessing.

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After last night's disaster in Joba Chamberlain's first career start, things were back to normal tonight for the Yankees as they didn't have to deal with the media circus.

 Mike Mussina took the ball looking to get the Yankees back on track by ending their three-game losing streak.  He did so, pitching six effective innings and earning the win.  The win was number nine for Mussina, which ties him for the league lead. Mussina, whose loss of velocity has been well documented this season, kept the Bluejays hitters off balanced with an array of different offspeed pitches and a fastball which sported impressive late movement.  One night after Chamberlain went 2.1 innings in his first start, the Yankees were in need of a good start to give the bullpen a bit of a breather and Mussina provided that.

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I was hoping to get this up yesterday with the Yankees-Red Sox series fresh in everyone’s mind but I didn’t have the time.  After a few weeks of the baseball season and watching almost every Red Sox and Yankee game I have a few observations on these two teams so far.  You may not agree with them all, this is just what I have noticed this season.

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success of making the playoffs.  He was able to go one or two innings and take the load off of Mariano Rivera.  He also lessened the stress for Kyle Farnsworth, Luis Vizciano and Ron Villone.  With his high 90’s fastball and devastating slider Joba, definitely did rule.  If he is back in the bullpen this season there is no reason not to believe he won’t do more of the same, his stuff is that nasty.  Being in the bullpen this season would also keep his innings down for the future because the Yankees do say, no matter what, one day he will be a starter.  And having Joba as the guy handing the ball to Mo makes the Yankees bullpen a strength of the team.  This move is safe because the Yankees know what he can do as a reliever but is it the best move for the team, this year or in the future?

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