Choppers closer Mariano Rivera
Talk about a long overdue post. Over a month ago, Choppers relief pitcher Mariano Rivera became the DTBL’s all-time save leader. His 561st DTBL save moved him ahead of Trevor Hoffman. He has added another five saves since then and currently sits at 566 for his DTBL career.
Rivera has shown absolutely no sign of slowing down. In 2011, he has recorded 16 saves, putting him just a few behind the league leaders. His ERA of 1.90 and 1.056 WHIP are tough to beat. Even at 41 years old, there is no reason to think Rivera can’t keep pitching for several more years. Since turning 40, he has continued to rack up the saves with an ERA below 2.00.
Most of Rivera’s 16 DTBL seasons came with the Cougars. He was their first round pick in the 1997 Draft and remained with the club until a 2009 trade. Prior to the trade, Rivera appeared to be aging a bit, posting a career high 3.33 ERA. But almost immediately after he arrived with the Mavericks, he returned to his perch as the best relief pitcher in baseball. Following a strong year and a half with the rebuilding Mavericks, they traded him to the Choppers this past March for a second round draft pick. So after spending most of his career with one team, Rivera has now been traded twice in the last three years.
A model in consistency, Rivera has posted an ERA under 3.00 in every season except one (2007) and has had at least 30 saves every year but one (2002). Incredibly, he has been under a 2.00 ERA in nine seasons and has a career mark of 2.02. His career ERA and WHIP (0.976) are both the best of any pitcher in league history. It is virtually indisputable that he is the greatest relief pitcher in league history and possibly the best pitcher overall.
Rivera has been a welcomed addition to the very surprising Choppers squad. After years of disappointment, they find themselves in title contention. They are currently tied in fourth place. Perhaps most surprising is their grip on the league lead in saves after finishing dead last in that category a year ago, 32 saves behind the next worst team. Obviously, Rivera has played a big part in that resurgence. The bullpen has helped keep the Choppers pitching staff afloat while the rotation has been decimated by injuries. The latest coming to Brett Anderson, who may need Tommy John surgery. But with a powerful offense and a great bullpen, the Choppers figure to remain in contention as the season progresses.