Saturday, September 24, 2011

Hoffman said 300 saves should be 'benchmark for a closer as is 3,000 hits for a hitter'-SF Chronicle, Jan. 2011

1/13/11, "Closer Hoffman no first-ballot Hall of Fame lock," SF Chronicle, John Shea

"Trevor's no Mo. Then again, who is?


The Yankees' Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history, with apologies to Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Rich Gossage and a few others, and should break Trevor Hoffman's career saves record of 601 this year or next. Rivera's 42 shy.

More than that, he's in his own class in terms of achievements on the national stage, considering his postseasons (0.76 ERA, 0.766 WHIP, 42 saves, 94 appearances) and even All-Star Games (an 0.00 ERA in eight appearances).

Hoffman, who retired this week, wasn't near Rivera's level with his limited postseason experience. He blew a save opportunity in his only World Series appearance (1998 with the Padres) and also failed on two save tries in the final three days of the 2007 season, costing San Diego the playoffs. On a lesser note,

  • Hoffman blew a save chance in the 2006 All-Star Game, allowing Rivera to close it out.
Rivera also has superior regular-season numbers. That's not to say Hoffman's not Hall of Fame worthy, but first ballot is no lock. No career reliever (we're not counting Eckersley, who won 148 games as a starter) reached Cooperstown on the first ballot.

Fingers made it in his second year of eligibility, Hoyt Wilhelm in his seventh, Gossage his ninth and Bruce Sutter his 13th.

At issue is how the closer's role is valued. It's a relatively new position, the save a relatively new stat, which probably is overly hyped. Not even Hoffman has a true grasp. He suggested on Wednesday that 300 saves should be a benchmark for a closer as is 3,000 hits for a hitter and 300 wins for a starter.

That's overly generous. Doug Jones, one of 21 relievers to save 300, is no all-timer. Four hundred saves (reached by just five) is more acceptable. Even then, maybe not. John Franco, despite 424 saves, is off the Hall ballot after receiving less than 5 percent of the votes.

Lee Smith was Hoffman before Hoffman, once the all-time saves leader with 478. But Smith received 45.3 percent in the latest vote.

  • It was his ninth year on the ballot."

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