What most people have felt for years is now official. Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in history. He notched #602 today and I really think this record may stand for a long, long time if not forever. And he did it in the most pressure packed environment in baseball. You could argue that he has been the Yankee MVP since 1997. http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...nkees-mariano-rivera-sets-mlb-mark-602nd-save
Is there an era in which pitching was ever more difficult? When the plate was only 50' from the pitcher (a significant advantage to the pitcher)? The dead ball era (a significant advantage to the pitcher)? I'd say of all time, period.
I d say what sets him heads above all others is that he pitched in NY, under extreme pressure and that his post season numbers are even better than his regular season numbers which are lights out.