[Lefty Noob]

Is Trevor Hoffman the best closer in Major League Baseball history?



Sorry, I can't believe anyone actually believes that. But I was surfing just now and came across the San Diego Union-Tribune's story about Hoffman breaking the save record, and the headline read: "Padres' Hoffman becomes no. 1 closer of all time"

Does he own the save record? Yep, sure does.

Is he the best closer in the history of the game? Not a chance!

[ThePundit]

Come on. In the top 10, definitely. But off the bat I can name 5 better closers. Sutter, Goose Gossage, Mariano, Eckersley, Rollie Fingers... I don't want to knock Hoffman. He's a top closer but you can't go by the saves category. As I've said before, who know how many saves pitcher's from 30 years ago would have gotten had they just pitched the 1 inning no matter what? Think about guys like Sparky Lyle, Dan Quisenberry and what kind of numbers they might have put up in today's era.

[MJHMarc]

Mariano Rivera is my #1. Hoffman is in my top 20 somewhere.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Come on. In the top 10, definitely. But off the bat I can name 5 better closers. Sutter, Goose Gossage, Mariano, Eckersley, Rollie Fingers... I don't want to knock Hoffman. He's a top closer but you can't go by the saves category. As I've said before, who know how many saves pitcher's from 30 years ago would have gotten had they just pitched the 1 inning no matter what? Think about guys like Sparky Lyle, Dan Quisenberry and what kind of numbers they might have put up in today's era.

Top 10...not in this lifetime...show of hands, how many of you would take 10 other pitchers with a big game on the line?

[MJHMarc]

Show of hands, Gotham Dark Knight? Haha, this is an internet sports forum.

I raise my hand.

Still think Mariano Rivera is the best of all-time. Rollie Fingers doesn't stand a chance, with or without the soup-strainer.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Top 10...not in this lifetime...show of hands, how many of you would take 10 other pitchers with a big game on the line?

Name 10 closers you would rather have Gotham - I would say: Sutter, Gossage, Fingers, Eckersley, Rivera, Quisenberry. I'll even give you Sparky Lyle but after that - who is a cut above Hoffman?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Name 10 closers you would rather have Gotham - I would say: Sutter, Gossage, Fingers, Eckersley, Rivera, Quisenberry. I'll even give you Sparky Lyle but after that - who is a cut above Hoffman?

Gagne... I would also take...Iron Man Mike Marshall, John Smoltz, Tug McGraw, ...Tom Henke in his prime....Hall of Famer Hoyty Wilhelm...for starters...

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Is Trevor Hoffman the best closer in Major League Baseball history?

No offense but that's the dumbest baseball question someone can ask.

I did read the rest of your post though

Mariano Rivera is the best baseball closer EVER. There's no way you can twist anything to say otherwise. Sure he pitched in an era (the majority of his time) where he could get a one inning save, but he was so dominant in the post-season.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by a Mets fan!

Mariano Rivera is the best baseball closer EVER. There's no way you can twist anything to say otherwise. Sure he pitched in an era (the majority of his time) where he could get a one inning save, but he was so dominant in the post-season.

I agree with that, EmpireWF.

Even as a Dodgers fan, I think Mariano Rivera is the best closer there is and ever was.