2007-04-17 06:37:57 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
They both have similar stats. Their WHIP is the same and BAA is very close. Hoffman's ERA is slightly higher so I guess I would give the slight edge to Rivera. If you're talking about the playoffs though, Rivera is the best relief pitcher in playoff history. He is clutch. And this is coming from a Padre fan.
2007-04-17 08:23:02 · answer #1 · answered by Joshy623 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're comparing careers, then it has to be Rivera.
Hoffman has more saves, but that's the only category where he betters Rivera. Mo has the better ERA and WHIP, and his peak years are among the best of all-time. Hoffman has been a model of consistency, but he can't compete with Mo's peak value.
One other note - If you take away Rivera's rookie year where he was used primarily as a starter, then he's only given up 35 homers in almost 820 innings of work, compared to 80 in 889 innings for Hoffman. That's why it was so shocking to see Mo give up that homer to Scutaro a few days ago.
Both will be remembered among the greatest closers of all-time, but right now Rivera has the better HOF argument.
2007-04-17 06:47:47 · answer #2 · answered by Craig S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Review the 1998 World Series. I could handle it if I were a Padres fan and Hoffman had given up a game-winning, all-but-Series-clinching homer to Jeter, Williams, O'Neill, Martinez, Posada or someone like that. But Scott Brosius? Really good fielder, but not the kind of guy who hits big (in distance, 420 feet, and magnitude) off someone as good as Hoffman is supposed to be. When Rivera blew it in a World Series game, it was Luis Gonzalez, a good (if possibly steroid-aided) player with a bloop single. Hoffman is going to the Hall of Fame, but after mid-1996 he has never been better than Rivera.
2007-04-17 07:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who would you rather have coming out of the bullpen in Game Seven of the World Series? Rivera or Hoffman? Rivera no doubt.
2007-04-17 06:46:58 · answer #4 · answered by Oz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hoffman all the way. You never hear of Rivera going into the hall of fame but you always here about Hoffman.
2007-04-17 07:21:26 · answer #5 · answered by Kristie C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mariano Rivera is maybe the most intimidating closer in MLB history. Hoffman may have more saves but he doesn't intimidate batters like Rivera does.
2007-04-17 06:46:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anthony P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rivera because he has done it in the pressure of the WS more times than Hoffman.
2007-04-17 11:50:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hoffman has never proven himself in big games. Rivera is a first- ballot hall of famer. I'd take Rivera any day of the week.
2007-04-17 10:04:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rivera had the best cutter in the game...and hoffman has the best changeup in baseball soo its a very tough decision but ill take rivera since he throws harder.
2007-04-17 07:37:30 · answer #9 · answered by patr0l_gn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As much as I hate to say it, Mariano Rivera is a much better closer than Hoffman.
2007-04-17 07:15:43 · answer #10 · answered by Al J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋