Mariano Rivera Was Even Better Than You Think

Stark Raving Sports
30 Aug 202313:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video celebrates Mariano Rivera as arguably the greatest closer in MLB history, highlighting his Hall of Fame status, perfect voting record, and iconic Yankee legacy. Despite his legendary status, the video argues that Rivera is still underrated. It delves into his career statistics, showcasing his dominance and longevity, and compares him to other great pitchers like Jacob deGrom and Eric Gagne. The video also emphasizes Rivera's ability to succeed with a single pitch, his impeccable postseason record, and his unmatched ERA+, solidifying his reputation as a pitching powerhouse.

Takeaways
  • 🏆 Mariano Rivera is considered the greatest closer in MLB history and a Hall of Famer who received a unanimous vote.
  • 🎶 He is known for his iconic entrance tune, Metallica's 'Enter Sandman', played at Yankee Stadium whenever he took the mound.
  • 🚫 Despite his achievements, the video argues that Rivera is somewhat underrated and suggests that he may be even better than remembered.
  • 📊 Relief pitchers are currently more dominant than ever, making it a good time to reevaluate Rivera's legacy and achievements.
  • 🌟 Rivera had a standout season at age 38, which was not his highest WAR (Wins Above Replacement) season, indicating consistent excellence.
  • 🔢 With a career WAR of 56.3, Rivera surpasses other notable relievers and is second only to Dennis Eckersley, who had many more starts.
  • 🏗 He maintained a low ERA (Earned Run Average) and an impressive ERA+, being over twice as good as the average pitcher throughout his career.
  • 🥇 Rivera's cutter was his primary pitch, thrown over 90% of the time, yet remained highly effective against both right and left-handed hitters.
  • 👴 Even at age 43, Rivera's cutter was faster than the MLB average, demonstrating his ability to maintain velocity and precision into his later years.
  • 🆚 His dominance extended to the postseason, where he allowed very few runs and had an exceptional playoff ERA of 0.70, further solidifying his legacy.
  • 🌕 The video humorously notes that more people have walked on the moon than have scored on Rivera in the postseason, emphasizing his unparalleled success in high-pressure situations.
Q & A

  • Who is Mariano Rivera and what is his significance in MLB history?

    -Mariano Rivera is considered the greatest closer in MLB history, a Hall of Famer, and the only player to receive a hundred percent of the vote. He is the all-time saves leader, an iconic Yankee, and known for his entrance to Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' at Yankee Stadium.

  • What is unique about Mariano Rivera's unanimous Hall of Fame induction?

    -Mariano Rivera is unique in that he is the only player to have received a unanimous vote for induction into the Hall of Fame, signifying widespread recognition of his exceptional career.

  • Why is Mariano Rivera considered underrated despite his accomplishments?

    -Despite his numerous records and accolades, the argument is made that Mariano Rivera is somewhat underrated because he could have been even better than people remember, given the dominance and consistency he displayed throughout his career.

  • How does Mariano Rivera's performance compare to other relief pitchers statistically?

    -Mariano Rivera's performance is statistically superior to other relief pitchers. He has a career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 56.3, which is significantly higher than other notable relievers like Craig Kimbrel (23.1) and John Franco (23.4).

  • What is the significance of Mariano Rivera's JAWS score in the context of baseball history?

    -JAWS is a stat that balances career WAR with seven-year Peak WAR to factor in a player's longevity. Mariano Rivera's JAWS score places him at the top of the list for relief pitchers in baseball history, ahead of every other reliever.

  • How did Mariano Rivera maintain his dominance over such a long career?

    -Mariano Rivera maintained his dominance by being consistently good for an extended period, from the Bill Clinton administration to after Mitt Romney ran for president. His ERA (Earned Run Average) was under two in 11 seasons, and he was effective well into his 40s.

  • What was special about Mariano Rivera's cutter and its impact on his success?

    -Mariano Rivera's cutter was a pitch that he threw over 90% of the time and was incredibly effective. It was not the same experience for right-handed and left-handed hitters, with righties seeing the ball tail away and lefties being jammed, making it difficult for hitters to make solid contact.

  • How did Mariano Rivera's performance in the 1996 season compare to other pitchers?

    -In 1996, Mariano Rivera had one of his best seasons, pitching 107 innings of relief with a WAR of 5, the highest strikeout per inning rate of his career, and allowing just one home run. He would have led two AL teams in strikeouts that season as a reliever.

  • What is the significance of Mariano Rivera's postseason performance?

    -Mariano Rivera's postseason performance is legendary, with 141 innings pitched and an ERA of 0.70. He only allowed more than one earned run once and gave up only two home runs in all his postseason appearances.

  • How did Mariano Rivera's consistency and control contribute to his success?

    -Mariano Rivera's consistency and control were key to his success. He had a career WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched) of 1.00, and from the age of 38 to the end of his career, it was .87, indicating that he rarely allowed baserunners.

  • What is the significance of the fact that Mariano Rivera had more career saves than the number of men who have walked on the moon?

    -The fact that Mariano Rivera had more career saves than the number of men who have walked on the moon (more men have walked on the moon and scored on Mariano Rivera in the postseason) highlights his unparalleled dominance and the rarity of scoring against him in high-pressure situations.

Outlines
00:00
🏆 Mariano Rivera's Underrated Excellence

Mariano Rivera, renowned as the greatest closer in MLB history and a Hall of Famer, is often underrated despite his numerous accolades. This paragraph delves into his unmatched career achievements, including being the all-time saves leader and an iconic Yankee. It highlights his dominance on the field, as evidenced by his perfect voting record for the Hall of Fame and the iconic Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' playing for his entrances at Yankee Stadium. The video aims to further appreciate Rivera's legacy by exploring his career highlights, emphasizing the current strength of relief pitchers and suggesting that Rivera's greatness is even more impressive in this context. The paragraph also introduces the video's sponsor, Underdog fantasy, and encourages viewers to subscribe for more content.

05:03
📊 Analyzing Mariano Rivera's Statistical Dominance

This paragraph provides a detailed analysis of Mariano Rivera's statistical dominance throughout his career. It starts by comparing Rivera's achievements to those of other notable pitchers like Eric Gagne and Jacob deGrom, then moves on to discuss Rivera's Wins Above Replacement (WAR) statistics. Rivera's WAR is significantly higher than other relief pitchers, including Craig Kimbrel and John Franco, and is second only to Dennis Eckersley, who had a longer career with many starts. The paragraph also introduces the concept of 'JAWS,' a stat that balances career WAR with peak WAR to account for longevity, where Rivera again outperforms all other relievers. His consistency is highlighted, noting that his ERA only went over three once and was under two in 11 seasons. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing Rivera's ability to prevent runs, which is the essence of pitching, and his record-setting ERA+, which places him above all other pitchers in MLB history.

10:05
🚫 The Untouchable Mariano Rivera: His Signature Pitch and Postseason Performance

Mariano Rivera's reputation as an untouchable pitcher is explored in this paragraph, focusing on his reliance on a single pitch—the cutter—which he threw over 90% of the time. Despite this, hitters were unable to hit it effectively, breaking bats and producing a high strikeout rate. The paragraph also discusses Rivera's success against both right-handed and left-handed hitters, attributing his cutter's effectiveness to its movement and velocity. It highlights his impressive WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched), which was exceptionally low, indicating his ability to prevent baserunners. The paragraph further delves into Rivera's first season as a relief pitcher in 1996, where he had a standout performance with a high strikeout rate and an impressive innings pitched count. Finally, it discusses Rivera's unparalleled postseason record, noting his low ERA, the rarity of him allowing more than one earned run in a postseason game, and the fact that he only gave up two home runs in all his postseason appearances, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest relief pitchers of all time.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a central figure in the video, renowned as the greatest closer in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He is a Hall of Famer, having received a unanimous vote, and holds the all-time saves record. The video discusses his iconic status with the New York Yankees and his signature entrance tune, Metallica's 'Enter Sandman.' The script argues that despite his legendary status, Rivera may still be somewhat underrated.
💡Closer
A 'closer' in baseball is a relief pitcher who specializes in finishing close games. The term is used in the context of Mariano Rivera's role as one of the best in this position, emphasizing his skill in securing victories for his team in crucial moments, particularly in the final innings of games.
💡Hall of Famer
A 'Hall of Famer' refers to an individual who has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, signifying a career of exceptional achievement. The script mentions Rivera as a Hall of Famer, highlighting his unanimous election, which underscores his unparalleled excellence in the sport.
💡All-time saves leader
The 'all-time saves leader' is a title given to the MLB player who has recorded the most saves in their career. The video script uses this term to emphasize Mariano Rivera's dominance in his role as a closer, as he holds the record for the most saves, a testament to his reliability and skill in high-pressure situations.
💡Relief pitchers
Relief pitchers are baseball players who enter the game after the starting pitcher is unable to continue. The script discusses how relief pitchers are currently more dominant than ever before, using this as a backdrop to further argue for Rivera's exceptionalism in this role.
💡WAR (Wins Above Replacement)
Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is a baseball statistic that measures how many more wins a player would bring to a team compared to a replacement-level player. The video uses WAR to illustrate Rivera's value and impact on his team, noting that he had multiple seasons with a WAR above four, which is typically considered All-Star level.
💡ERA (Earned Run Average)
Earned Run Average (ERA) is a pitching statistic that calculates the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. The script mentions Rivera's ERA to demonstrate his effectiveness in preventing runs, which is a key aspect of his dominance as a relief pitcher.
💡Cutter
A 'cutter' is a type of pitch in baseball that breaks laterally, similar to a slider but at fastball speeds. The video script notes that Mariano Rivera was known for his cutter, which he threw an unusually high percentage of the time, yet remained highly effective due to its movement and his pinpoint control.
💡Postseason
The 'postseason' refers to the championship series of games held at the end of a sports league's regular season. The video emphasizes Rivera's exceptional performance in postseason play, where his ERA was remarkably low and he allowed very few runs, showcasing his ability to excel under pressure.
💡Underdog Fantasy
Underdog Fantasy is mentioned as the sponsor of the video. It is a platform for playing fantasy sports with a focus on simplicity and predictions about player statistics. The script includes a promotion for the platform, offering a deposit match for new users, which is a common marketing strategy to attract and retain customers.
💡WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched)
WHIP stands for Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched and is a measure of a pitcher's effectiveness in allowing baserunners. The video uses Rivera's WHIP to highlight his consistency and ability to limit opposing teams' opportunities to score, which contributed to his reputation as a dominant closer.
Highlights

Mariano Rivera is considered the greatest closer in MLB history and a Hall of Famer.

He is the only player to receive a hundred percent of the vote for the Hall of Fame.

Rivera is the all-time saves leader and an iconic Yankee.

His entrance to Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' became synonymous with his presence on the mound.

Despite his accolades, Rivera may still be somewhat underrated.

Relief pitchers are more dominant now, making Rivera's achievements even more impressive.

Rivera had a standout season at age 38, comparable to Eric Gagne's 2003 Cy Young season.

He broke the 4 WAR mark in four different seasons, a typically All-Star level achievement.

Rivera's career WAR of 56.3 is significantly higher than other dominant relievers.

His JAWS score, which balances career WAR with peak WAR, outperforms all other relievers.

Rivera maintained a sub-2 ERA in 11 seasons, showcasing his consistency.

At his worst, Rivera's ERA+ was still 44% better than the league average.

He was known for his cutter, thrown over 90% of the time, which was incredibly effective.

Rivera's cutter was effective against both right-handed and left-handed hitters.

Despite relying heavily on one pitch, Rivera's success was not due to luck but skill.

His WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings pitched) was .87 from age 38 to the end of his career.

In his first season as a reliever, Rivera had an impressive 5 WAR, the highest of any reliever that season.

Rivera's postseason ERA was .70, showcasing his dominance in high-pressure situations.

He only allowed more than one earned run once in any postseason appearance.

Rivera gave up only two home runs in his entire postseason career.

Fewer people have walked on the moon than have scored on Mariano Rivera in the postseason.

Transcripts

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