I know it's early in his career but he does seem to have good potential to be a great closer. But until proven otherwise i still say Rivera is better.
2007-06-19 08:11:43 · 27 answers · asked by Scooter_loves_his_dad 7 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Jonathan Papelbon is good I will give him that, but the odds of him being as great as Mariano Rivera is not likely percentage wise.
Mariano played on a peaking Yankee team that grew into a dynasty. Meanwhile Papelbon is on a aging Red Sox team that while not be the same throughout the later part of his career.
Rivera is arguably if not the best closer to ever play the game.
2007-06-19 08:23:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
After this season, the torch of being the best closer in the league will be passed from Rivera to Papelbon. Papelbon is blossoming at an early age, when Rivera was Pap's age he was not nearly as good. Papelbon shows dominance when he mows down players in the ninth, but Rivera is slowing down in that area. Pap is throwing 97-98 mph fast ball that is unhittable and he is throwing it accurately. He also has 16 saves with a less then 2 era. My guess is that Papelbon may become the next Rollie Ringers or Dennis Eckersly or Goose Gossage.
2007-06-19 11:05:55 · answer #2 · answered by dan s 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree. Papelbon has A LOT of potential, but Rivera has been dominant for many years. Papelbon has only one year in the big leagues as a closer (and that was an awesome one year). Ask me who's better in 10 years or so.
2007-06-19 09:20:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be near impossible to take any good young relief pitcher and say he will do what Rivera has done. You have to be able to endure and that is a difficult accomplishment in this day and age. There is no question that Rivera is on a real short list of the best all-time closers. Come back to me in about ten years and let's revisit the Papelbon issue.
2007-06-19 08:24:27 · answer #4 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And as long as the Red Sox keep him in the bullpen. As early as spring training this year, they were thinking about him going into the rotation. Papelbon would have to put up ten years like 2006 to even be in the same sentence as Rivera, and in many minds do it in October because Rivera was lights out for four years in the playoffs.
2007-06-19 13:40:55 · answer #5 · answered by Patrick M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have answered differently a few weeks ago but, I dont honestly think that Papelbon will be as long lasting as Rivera. Pap has good stuff but, I dont think he really has the domination that Rivera used to have. I would pick him over Rivera today but, not a few years ago when Rivera was virtually unstoppable.
2007-06-19 09:39:39 · answer #6 · answered by Red Sox lover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't answer this question right now...Rivera's been around for so long and Papelbon's still to young to evaluate how he'll do later in his career. Even if Rivera's ERA isn't lookin too hot right now, he's still one the best and most-known closers to ever be. You'd have to be really amazing to be better than Rivera..and idk if Papelbon's gonna get there. He needs to be around for a much longer time before your question can be answered.
2007-06-19 09:57:11 · answer #7 · answered by YanksFan223 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is WAY too early to tell, but if he keeps pitching the way he pitched his rookie season, then he will definitely be better than Rivera. Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon are alot alike, ... they both help the Red Sox win.
2007-06-19 09:15:20 · answer #8 · answered by rockstar44 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rivera is the 2nd best closer ever(Hoffman is #1). Papelbon has been a closer for a year and a half. To soon to tell.
2007-06-19 08:48:51 · answer #9 · answered by red4tribe 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You definitely can't answer that for many years to come. Rivera had a few years setting up for Wetteland (and I considered Wetteland to be better than Rivera)
First year looked good though
2007-06-19 08:25:55 · answer #10 · answered by brettj666 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋