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NO STAT IS SAFE. NO ERA IS FORGOTTEN.
VOL. 1, NO. 50 · FEBRUARY 8, 2027 · EVERY MONDAY
ISSUE #050 · MODERN
Mariano Rivera — One Pitch,
652 Saves, Unanimous HOF
On September 22, 2011, Mariano Rivera recorded his 602nd career save — passing Trevor Hoffman for
📅 THIS DATE IN
BASEBALL the all-time record.
THE STAT THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST 01
EVERY HITTER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS COMING. NOBODY COULD STOP IT.
652 Career Saves. One Pitch — The Cutter. First
Unanimous Hall Of Fame Selection In History.
MARIANO RIVERA SAVES CAREER ERA POSTSEASON ERA
100% 1 — cutter 601
HOF VOTE % PITCH USED TREVOR HOFFMAN SAVES (2ND)
Rivera threw one pitch — a cut fastball — for 19 seasons and retired with 652 saves, the all-time record.
He posted a career 2.21 ERA and a 0.70 postseason ERA across 96 postseason innings. He was elected to
the Hall of Fame unanimously in 2019 — the first player in history to receive 100% of votes. Every batter
knew the cutter was coming. They couldn't hit it.
THE GAME YOU FORGOT 02
VS Florida Marlins OCTOBER 27, 2003
0 4 6 L (Series)
IP ER K WS GAME RESULT
The Sandman
3 SHUTOUT INNINGS IN A LOSING WORLD SERIES — EVEN HIS LOSSES WERE LEGENDARY
In Game 6 of the 2003 World Series, Rivera pitched 3 shutout innings in relief against Florida. He was
perfect. The Marlins won the game and the series on a Josh Beckett shutout — not because Rivera failed,
but because he couldn't pitch every inning. Even in the years the Yankees lost, Rivera's performance was
untouchable. His career postseason ERA of 0.70 across 96 innings is the most dominant sustained
postseason performance by any pitcher in baseball history.
ERA VS ERA 03
Greatest Closer In Baseball History — Is There Even A Debate?
MARIANO RIVERA ANY CHALLENGER?
CAREER SAVES TREVOR HOFFMAN
652 — all-time record 601 saves, 2.87 ERA
CAREER ERA VS DENNIS ECKERSLEY
2.21 390 saves, 197 wins
POSTSEASON ERA VERDICT
0.70 No serious debate exists
There is no debate. Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history by every measurement: saves, ERA,
postseason performance, longevity, and the single-pitch dominance that no hitter ever solved. Hoffman and
Eckersley are legitimate HOF closers. Neither approached Rivera.
Greatest closer in baseball history?
MARIANO RIVERA — THERE IS NO SECOND OPTION TREVOR HOFFMAN — 601 SAVES, DIFFERENT ERA
DENNIS ECKERSLEY — STARTER + CLOSER SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY PASS 652 SAVES
THE COLDEST MOMENT 04
THE CUTTER — 1997 TO 2013
He Threw One Pitch For 19 Years. Everyone Knew
It Was Coming. Nobody Could Hit It.
Rivera's cut fastball broke bats. Literally. He broke more bats than any pitcher in baseball history.
Hitters described it as a pitch that looked like a fastball until the last 6 inches, when it darted 4
inches to the right — or left, depending on whether you were right or left-handed. He discovered
the pitch by accident during a warm-up session in 1997. He threw it for the next 16 years.
Nobody ever figured it out.
I get the ball, I throw the ball, and then I take a shower.
— MARIANO RIVERA
THE STAT VAULT 05
CAREER POSTSEASON ERA
CAREER SAVES
652 0.70 Over 96 innings. The most dominant
All-time record. 51 more than Trevor
October pitching career in baseball
Hoffman at #2.
history.
HOF VOTE PERCENTAGE CAREER ERA
2019. First unanimous selection in the 83- One of the lowest ERAs of any modern
year history of the HOF vote. pitcher — starter or reliever.
1 PITCH — THE CUTTER
He threw one pitch for 19 years. Hitters described it as unhittable. The results confirmed it.
THE FORGOTTEN MAN 06
OVERLOOKED · UNDERRATED · DESERVES MORE
John Wetteland
MULTIPLE TEAMS · 1989-2000
48 SAVES IN 1996 · 1996 WS MVP · 330 CAREER SAVES
1996 World Series MVP. Rivera's Predecessor. Set Up Rivera's Career. Nobody
Remembers.
John Wetteland was the Yankees closer who won the 1996 World Series MVP — the year before Rivera took
over as closer permanently. He saved all 4 wins of the Series. When the Yankees let him leave in free
agency, they promoted Rivera to the closer role. Wetteland's departure created Rivera's career.
THE CONNECTION:
Wetteland won the 1996 WS MVP and was let go. Rivera replaced him and became the greatest closer
in baseball history. Wetteland's departure is the most consequential roster move in Yankees history
that nobody discusses.
COMING NEXT MONDAY
Next Monday: The 1994 strike cancelled the World Series. The only year in 90 years without a champion.
Baseball has never fully recovered.
Who's Your Forgotten Man?
Reply with a player from any era who deserves more credit. Best answer gets featured next Monday.
All Eras. All Stats. No Debate.
Every Monday. No exceptions.