Net says start a thread, I start a thread

[BuzzBuzzard]

Not sure this belong in the 'fantasy' section, but since 'Net moves all my posts here, what the hell.

The mid-day hosts on WFAN were discussing Armando Benitez today. They went through the entire league and each identified all the closers they'd rather have than Benitez. Susan Waldman, whose objectivity is often blinded by her passion for the Yanks, came up with at least 10 closers she rather have. Hands down, she said, she rather have Billy Koch than the Benitez. I damn near choked on my Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese. I actually called the FAN and was on hold when their program ended so I didn't get a chance to tongue lash her.

OK - I admit the guy has had his problems in big games, but I refuse to accept there are 10 better closers in the Bigs.

You all tell me, who'd you rather have than Benitez. Yes - I admit that Rivera is one, but beyond that......

[NetShrine]

Thanks Buzz - - well, this could have been a Current Events topic, but, what the hey?

QP w/C, huh? You are what you eat. Just kidding.

Koch and Armondo are 6 of one, half dozen of the other. That said, I could come up with others I'd rather have too:

In no certain order:

Mo Rivera
Trevor Hoffman
Billy Wagner
Rob Nen
Sasaki
Urbina
Todd Jones

Sure I'm missing some........

[BuzzBuzzard]

Billy Wagner? As Ben Stern told his young son Howard, 'Don't be stupid, you moron."
Todd Jones?

And I ain't sold on Sasaki yet either.

[NetShrine]

Check your stats - how many saves did Jones have last year? Also, how many post-season games has Wagner blown?

[BuzzBuzzard]

Jones was 42 of 46 in 2000. Benitez was 41 of 46.
I can't answer how many blown saves Wagner has, but he's got 0 post season saves.

At best, these two are pushes, but I'll take Benitez over Jones.

He gets a bad rap. His post season number with the Mets aren't all that bad. All people remember are game 6 against the Braves in '99 and Game 1 against the Yanks. I admit, I can't simply dismiss that. But, in the '99 Divisional Series, he only gave up 1 ER in 7 IPs. In the 2000 post-season, he was 1-0 with 2 SV and a 3.00 ERA in 9 IPs. But as I said, that walk to Paul will forever be burned in my mind.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
that walk to Paul will forever be burned in my mind.

Don't get me wrong - the BB was HUGE. But, everyone always forgets the Polonia PH single which followed. Shame that gets lost in the shuffle - cause it was more unlikely than the O'Neill pass.........

[BuzzBuzzard]

That dog Polonia belongs in the big house for that incident with the minor.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
That dog Polonia belongs in the big house for that incident with the minor.

It was like Nixon and Watergate - - he wasn't doing anything that most of them don't do - he just got caught. Besides, it was over a decade ago. Time passes and we should let that one go..........

[BuzzBuzzard]

Following the logic that if it happened today, she'd be legal. Hey - I needed something to complain about him for.

[ChrisCary]

I'm lucky enough to have both Mariano and Benitez on my team.
While my objectivity is also blinded in the same way as Suzyn W. I stil think I have the best two in baseball.
I keep putting Benitez out there and can't be convinced that he's through or that his performance lately is an indication of what's to come for the entire season.

[NetShrine]

Chris - having a lot of fun rooting for those Met victories (and Beneitz' saves) as you're watching the games?