I know it's the closer. I just need your help in shutting up a co-worker who ridiculously believes the DH is more important.
2006-08-11 03:40:12 · 12 answers · asked by kmd71787878@sbcglobal.net 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Your coworker is correct. The DH does more to help his team win, and that makes him more important.
The value of a closer, in most cases, is ridiculously overstated. Outside of the truly elite like Rivera, the closer contributes no more than does a good middle reliever. I believe that closing a one-run game in the ninth does take a certain type of mentality, but the majority of saves are not earned in that manner. The good middle relief guys gets outs in the seventh and eighth inning that are equally important to what the closer does in the ninth.
Looking at an example from this year with a team that has outstanding players at both DH and closer - the Red Sox. David Ortiz has 19 win shares, as compared to Papelbon's 15. Now, Papelbon has been great, but he still can't match what Ortiz has done. And this pattern continues when you look at any team. A good closer is valuable, but not to the level of the DH. There are exceptions, but not many.
2006-08-11 04:11:51 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
the closer nails down the victory--look at the indians recent series against the bosox...it was carbona's job to shut down their DH (ortiz) and he didnt do that and Boston won the game. Maybe thats an argument for both being important, but if carbona does his job, the indians win. also, more simply, NL teams survive just fine without a DH but you will not see any team be successful without someone who can consistantly get those last outs and most importantly preserve wins. There's no bigger let down than a loss when leading after 8 innings. Also, DH goes 0-5 with 4 ks, his team can still win. Closer blows the save, his team is screwed...
yes craig, but assume paplebon blows all his saves, u can take away his win shares as well as all of schilling and beckett's winshares. Also, if you are going to use the best DH in the league as ur example, then you have to compare that to the best closers in the game...
2006-08-11 11:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Dh is more important for one simple reason.....the closer's team has to be winning for the closer to have an opportunity to help his team. The DH plays everyday and can help his team whether they are winning or losing. If the DH's team is behind, the DH could get a hit in the 7th or 8th to put them ahead....then the closer for the other team doesn't ever make it into the game.
2006-08-11 15:24:20 · answer #3 · answered by slinkiethedog 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your co-worker is probably a Big Poopy fan trying to make an argument for MVP. There is no way the DH is more important. It will be a sad day in baseball if a DH wins MVP.
If DH was so important, the NL would have it.
2006-08-11 11:19:18 · answer #4 · answered by nfaustman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because the Red Sox have a good DH, does not mean it is the most important position. Closer is by far more important than a DH. Without a good closer, your team goes nowhere.
2006-08-11 12:56:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its hands down a closer. Look at all the successful teams, they all have good closers. Thats one of the most important positions in all of baseball. Half the league doesnt even have dh's.
2006-08-11 11:48:54 · answer #6 · answered by drunkbomber 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the DH is more important the closer only plays for one inning bit the DH will bat at least three times a game if he isn't taken out. Another thing you can't ever win if you don't score any runs.
2006-08-11 11:35:09 · answer #7 · answered by Frankfortor 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well I think the closer is more important because not all MLB team's have a DH hitter...well in the AL they have one but in the NL they don't there Pitching had to bat so you should make your question say who is more important to a American League MLB team....well that's what I think
2006-08-11 11:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by krystyne14 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's a ridiculous or one-sided question. You can make a case --statistical or instinctual - for either the closer or the DH. I would lean slightly to the side of the closer.
2006-08-11 11:26:06 · answer #9 · answered by Da Whispering Genius 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the closer is more important!!!
think this way..if the game is like 5-4,and u need the closer to save the game..without a closer,how u gonna win this type of close games?!
2006-08-11 11:08:33 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Staceii♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋