Call to the pen
Fansided

Trevor Hoffman: San Diego Padres’ most hidden gem

By Neil Harrington

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 07: Relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman
ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 07: Relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman /
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Trevor Hoffman
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 09: Former pitcher Mariano Rivera throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Four of the American League Divisional Series between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

New York Yankees HOF closer, Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera played on five World Series championship teams, and in his illustrious 19-year career, only missing the playoffs in two seasons. He was flat out dominating, with his accomplishments speaking for themselves. His wicked, nasty cut fastball had much to do with all of this success.

  • 5-time World Series champion (1996, 1998–2000, 2009)
  • 13-time American League All-Star (1997, 1999–2002, 2004–2006, 2008–2011,
  • 2013)
  • World Series MVP (1999)
  • ALCS MVP (2003)
  • 5-time American League Rolaids Relief Man Award (1999, 2001, 2004–2005, 2009).
  • 3-time Delivery Man of the Year (2005–2006, 2009)
  • American League Comeback Player of the Year (2013)
  • 3-time MLB saves leader (1999, 2001, 2004)
  • New York Yankees #42 retired
  • MLB record for career saves (652)

In 140 postseason innings pitched, Mariano Rivera allowed fewer than one run per nine innings.

If you think these accolades are good, his career statistics are even more impressive.

  • Career Win-loss record: 82–60
  • Career ERA: 2.21
  • Career Strikeouts: 1,173
  • Career Saves: 652
  • WHIP: 1.00

His postseason success was even better, somehow — 8-1 record/ 0.70 ERA/.76 WHIP/110 K’s to only 22 BB in141 postseason innings.

Rivera was also perfect in his final All-Star game, which put an exclamation on his illustrious career with a bang. In his final appearance at Yankee Stadium, Rivera could not handle all of the emotion, breaking down in tears as he left the mound.

The only “blemish” on Rivera’s resume was inflicted by the Boston Red Sox. If you take away his stats against Boston, they would be even more microscopic.

During his final season in 2013, Rivera blew a save against the Sox late in the season, knocking the Yankees out of playoff contention, missing the postseason for the only second time in his career in the pinstripes.

His 2.86 regular-season ERA vs. Boston…1.25 WHIP rank well beneath his career norms… .644 OPS Red Sox hitters have managed is the second best of any team Mo’s faced.

David Ortiz was the main culprit for Rivera’s inflated numbers against the Red Sox — 342/.375/.500.

Collectively, the Red Sox have knocked Rivera around for 18 blown saves, including the MLB postseason.

The most memorable was in the 2004 ALCS, with the series clincher hanging in the balance for the Yankees, who ended up blowing that 3-0 series lead, sparked by Rivera’s blown save in game four.

Even with his struggles against the hated rivals of the Yankees, Mariano Rivera still reigns supreme as the best closer in American League history.

Does his resume hold up against the National League, against the likes of Lee Smith or Trevor Hoffman?

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