BuffaloNews.com: Inside Baseball: Rivera adds to his large legacy

NEW YORK — You can run down the list and see the difference. Start with Joe Nathan and Jonathan Papelbon. Move to Ryan Franklin and Huston Street. Then came Brian Fuentes and Jonathon Broxton. Throw in a smidge of Brad Lidge. What’s the connection? Every main closer in the playoffs had a major blowup that cost their team at least a late lead, if not the game itself. Every one, that is, except Mariano Rivera. No coincidence it was the Yankees hoisting the World Series trophy Wednesday night. Rivera is the greatest relief pitcher in history. Period. Although comparing modern short relievers with relievers from the past who pitched longer outings is not really fair, in terms of the actual results, you can make the case that Mo is the most effective relief pitcher on a batter-by-batter basis ever.