MLB Hall of Fame: Breaking down the 2019 ballot
By David Hill
Mariano Rivera – 1st year on ballot
Putting a closer into the MLB Hall of Fame on the first ballot is a rare happening. But Mariano Rivera was no ordinary closer.
Armed with perhaps the most devastating cutter that the game has ever seen, Rivera dominated on the mound. He recorded 30 or more saves in 15 or his 19 years, his presence in the ninth a key part of the Yankees success. He was such a devastating reliever that, in 1996, he finished third in the Cy Young vote as a setup man.
Rivera’s career was without rival. A 13 time All Star, he was named the 1999 World Series MVP, the 2003 ALCS MVP, and the MVP of the 2013 All Star Game. Overall in his career, Rivera notched 652 saves, with a 2.21 ERA and a 1.000 WHiP. In his 1283.2 innings, he struck out 1173 batters with only 286 walks. He was even better in the postseason, posting a 0.70 ERA and a 0.759 WHiP with 42 saves in 141 career playoff innings.
While it is extremely unlikely that he will be the first unanimous Hall of Famer as some are speculating, there is little question that Rivera will be inducted. He was the greatest closer of all time, a dominant force that virtually guaranteed a victory when he came on with a lead.
Mariano Rivera will be making his next stop in Cooperstown. The only question is how much of the vote he will receive.