Mariano or Papelbon?

Question

who's the better closer? here in RI people vote for the sox guy just because but Mariano is one of the greatest, and he doesn't throw hissy fits if he blows a save. I say Mariano, and you.....

Answer 1

mariano in his prime...he was insane and way better then pap is right now.....

Answer 2

You gotta go with Rivera and I'm not just saying that cause I'm a Yankees fan. He is just lights out and hasn't slowed down with age. Some people are saying they would take Rivera in his prime but he is having an amazing year now despite his age.

Answer 3

Mariano Rivera because he's taken his team on top and he's one of the best closers in the AL maybe even in all of Major League Baseball.

http://baseball.com

Answer 4

Mariano is one of the best of all time, but he is getting up there in age.

I think they are about even right now, but I would rather have Paplebon because he is so much younger.

Mariano is a first ballot HOF.  

Answer 5

Mariano

Answer 6

I'm a huge Sox fan, but Mariano is better this year. He hasn't blown any saves and Paps has, plus Rivera's ERA the last time I checked was down around 1.17 or so, which is at least a full run lower than Paps. It's amazing the job he's doing at his age.

Answer 7

Mariano in his prime

Papelbon now

Answer 8

This season, Papelbon but over career, Rivera

Answer 9

Closers are a weak bunch nowadays.

I read an article on Gossage's #'s for his HOF career.  He had 53 of 310 saves where he worked more than 2 innings.  Up to last year, Rivera had 0  (I don't know if Papelbon has had any either, I am just pointing out that saves are a wishy washy stat now)

Between the two of them, we already know how Rivera has done in his career, if Papelbon continues for 15 years, I'd rather have him.  Rivera has ONE pitch.  He's really fortunate that batters don't hit it.

Answer 10

I'd be pretty comfortable with either one of them.

For now, I'll give a slight edge to Papelbon, only because of age.  Rivera is still impressive, but you know he can't keep it up forever.  At some point his age will catch up, and you don't want to be holding the bag when that happens.

Answer 11

mariano for now next year pape

Answer 12

Papelbon. Mariano may be doing better this year, but since Papelbon has been in the majors, overall I would have to say Pap.  

Answer 13

Papelbon. He has much nastier stuff. Mario is only succesful because he can throw one great pitch that not many people are great at throwing. He developed the right type of pitch, and it has been fooling hitters for fifteen years. Papelbon hasn't even his his prime, and he is already a really good closer. If you look at the 2004 ALCS, MO blew three saves in three chances to the Red Sox. That doesn't get any worse for a Yankee.

Papelbon has much better stuff, including a fastball, change, splitter, and a slider. His mix is much better.

Answer 14

mariano is and will be the best closer everyone, even the other team knows that the game is pretty much over everytime they hear  the enter sandman song. pappelbon thinks he is the best closer in baseball after 2 years, he's not i would rank him 3rd behind k-rod and mariano. sure he has 1 great pitch but thats all you need look at this number 469 the amount of saves in his carreer, he's the best closer in baseball. papelbon or however you say it is going to be good but not nearly as good as mariano.