602

Mariano Rivera became the all-time leader in saves today.  He stands alone.   It's a counting stat, so he's been blessed with good health.  At the same time, 602 just doesn't capture just how freakishly dominant the man has been over those 602 saves.  He has an ERA+ over 200, and he is the only pitcher in history that is that high.  It's hard to say that a closer is one of the greatest pitchers of all time.  But in the case of Mariano Rivera, you really have to add him to the group.  I remember, early in his career, a lot of baseball GM's said, he would be an elite ace if the Yanks returned him to the rotation.  If they had he probably wouldn't have lasted as long because he's slight, but he also would have warmed up a lot less and still been elite.  We are very lucky he wasn't traded back in the `90s.   Rock on, Mo!