'More save opportunities' used to make it 'unfair'--

Certain types have noted in the recent past that if a pitcher has more save "opportunities," it's unfair to give them accolades. (Karl Ravetch said this often a few years ago about 1 particular pitcher before I stopped watching Baseball Tonight). 'Unfair' because they're simply luckier to be on a team doing well enough to give them the "opportunities."

• The 'total save stat' itself is largely a function of the 'save opportunity,' but in the past year or 2 I've heard and read numerous radio and online accounts, polls, extensive campaigning on national ESPN TV games, etc., extolling the 'total save stat' without mentioning the dependent 'save opportunity' stat, ie. the "this guy is just luckier" stat.

I heard another report tonight saying Frankie Rodriguez leads the major league in "saves," that he just "picked up" another one today, which is great. But the report failed to mention he also leads the majors in "save opportunities." According to past interpretations of the "save" stat, other pitchers just weren't as 'lucky' as Rodriguez- being on a team that could 'give' him these opportunities. Or do they change the interpretation and publicity about stats from year to year?

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