Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mister Coaster
Very true, and I agree, but consider a few things...
1. When a closer comes in, the game has essentially already been won (OK it hasn't but that's the way a typical fan sees it) All a closer has to do is get 3 outs.
2. A closer ALWAYS knows when he will be coming in, there is no guesswork as far as warming up goes. Therefore he should be well warmed up and ready to go.
3. A closer usually has the best "stuff" of the entire pitching staff. If not the "best" they usually have an above average fastball and an equally good "other" pitch to make outs with.
That all adds up to "we should win" whenever the closer comes in. Obviously getting 3 outs in the Majors is much easier said than done. But looking at the closer's role vs. all that they have going for them, it's obvious why fans are upset whenever a closer blows a save. I can really understand it as of late with K-Rod blowing #6 of the year the other night.
|
I have to add to your list..... the closer has to mentally tougher than the majority of ballplayers.
If he goes out and gives up a 3 run homer and blows the save and loses the game, he has to have that mindset that allows him to totally blow that night off so he can come in the next night and get the save and win.
The #1 killer of all closers isn't his arm, shoulder or age, it's that mental toughness, that being able to be a goat one night and a hero the next.
That is why it's truly hard to find those great closers that will save 40+ games year in and year out.
(SP have 4-5 days at least to overcome getting shelled, regular RP take solace that there are others in the pen that can come and save them and be called upon the next day. Position players, they know they'll have 0 for games and they'll commit a couple errors. Very rarely though do they commit them and cost the game in the final inning and the fans, don't truly hound the position players.)
Now the career pinch hitter was always what I considered the hardest position. Closers at least get to warmup in the pen. Back in the day, Rusty Staub used to have to come out cold, no warm up at bats, with the game on the line and be expected to move the runner. And he was one of the best at it. Yet, as a position player.... he pretty much sucked and his BA wasn't all that great.
(The DH, he gets a few times up.... he's "warm".)