Re: Bret Cecil as Closer
Originally Posted by
Axeman33
There's a difference when you are tasked to come into the 9th inning and protect the lead. You are the guy expected to shut it down. Unlike a middle reliever who can afford to give up a run or two because you still have more opportunities for your offense to bail you out.
I am sure if you asked any major league pitcher, he will tell you the hardest outs to get are the last three. You have a special guy for that reason and you can't expect just anyone to go in there and do that job. Some guys just aren't cut out to do it.
Every pitcher is expected to get outs, some just do it better when the game is on the line, and some don't.
The closer role is something that was artificially made up by managers and agents since saves started being tracked as a statistic. If you want to compare it to a position in hockey, the closer role resembles the guy who shoots third in the modern day NHL shootout. Yes, technically speaking the game is on the line when he makes his attempt but the results of the other two shooters matter just as much as the third guy.
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