From Matt Gagne:
The Rays have made the biggest impact on Mariano Rivera's reputation this season, twice rallying against the righthander, and leaving many to wonder if his days as the Yankees' closer are numbered.
But at least one person in Tampa Bay's clubhouse insists Rivera hasn't come upon the twilight of his career, even if his velocity has diminished and more balls are finding their way into the swaths of grass between outfielders.
Following the Yankees' 4-3 win at the Stadium Sunday - which ended on Evan Longoria's slow roller to second, capping a perfect ninth and Rivera's 13th save - the Rays' third baseman called the Sandman the best closer in all of baseball.
"Among the closers in the game, if I had to choose one guy, I would still want him running out there in the ninth inning," Longoria said. "If I was the manager, I would send him out there every day.
"I wasn't here when he was at the height, at the peak of his game, when every pitch he threw was 95-96 mph and cutting. The thing is, he's dropped a couple miles off his fastball, but he still puts it where he wants it. ... I don't really see his ability to get guys out in the ninth inning decreasing that much at all."
"He rarely makes mistakes. The times that he has, we've been able to capitalize on them," Longoria said. "He's still a big presence coming out of the pen. Maybe he's not as good as he was six years ago or when he was at his peak, but you have to be on the top of your game facing him. ... His ball is moving so much that even at 92-94 mph, it's still tough to handle."
I believe Mo still has it. He's very fortunate. He can continue for a few more years. If he developed another pitch, he could pitch for a longer period of time but who knows.
Original Story:
http://adiehardyankeesfan.blogspot.co...
