The Red Sox deal for Victor Martinez seems to be final - Cleveland is apparently to receive Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Brian Price. (this is via tweets from SI's Jon Heyman, who also says the Red Sox will send Adam LaRoche back to Atlanta to clear a spot for Martinez.)
Just another fun day in the baseball world Monday night and the Jays had nothing to do with it as they enjoyed the day off.
The Red Sox, even with "Rescue Me" star Daniel Sunjata in the house, were not able to extinguish the red-hot flames emanating from the right arm of Roy Halladay. With trade rumors continuing to circulate, Doc may have filled out his final prescription in a Jays overcoat by going the distance in a 3-1 victory Sunday afternoon at the Rog Mahal.
UPDATE! BREAKING NEWS! Eric Hinske traded to the Yankees!
Say it ain't so, Dude.
The Yankees just completed a season of dominance in New York, taking the season series from the Mets, 6-0. In that last game, Mariano Rivera trotted out of the bullpen in the eighth inning to nail down his 110th career save of more than three outs -- and, oh by the way, the 500th save of his magnificent, Cooperstown-bound career.
So here's the question ... Trevor Hoffman is still the all-time saves leader. Rich Gossage and Rollie Fingers are already in the Hall for their work in what was a different era for closers. Bruce Sutter recently joined them, perhaps representing the first real one-inning closer, or at least the natural transition from Hoyt Wilhelm and the Goose to Dennis Eckersley and Lee Smith.
But Rivera has done it on the world's biggest stage for his entire career -- none of the others mentioned were one-team guys, much less New York guys. Rivera has done it in the post-season, arguably better than anyone else ever has (with a respectful nod to Luis Gonzalez, natch).
So there's your question ... Mariano Rivera ... the greatest closer (career, not just one season or we'll get lost in the minutiae of really-goods like John Hiller and remember-him?s like Bobby Thigpen) in major league baseball history?
And if not him, who?
I believe I'm now required to pee in a cup, right?
I have some highlights from the discussion and - to justify my participation - some Data Tables!
Gonna leave this world for a while
It was just about this time last season when a three week death spiral cost John Gibbons his job. What's different about this one?