Total Save Stat is 'groupthink' problem--Tom Verducci

• "Part of Mariano Rivera's greatness has been his ability to get multi-inning saves." SI.com
• photo from SI.com

On why some managers refuse to use their closer for more than 1 inning:

• Verducci, SI.com, 9/9/08: "The quick answer is that baseball operates with much more of

• a groupthink mentality

• than one that encourages innovation.

NFL teams have individual playbooks. Baseball teams all agree on "The Book," a one-size-fits-all philosophy. It also happens to be a convenient way

• to cover your butt if things don't work out.

• Just try to use your closer for two innings, for instance, and you might as well call a news conference asking to be fired....

That bring us to Francisco Rodriguez, who is not only two saves within reach of the all-time single-season record of 57, but also has come to personify the universal over-specialization of the modern bullpen....

• Rodriguez is eligible for free agency after this season, when the value of his overspecialization will be tested. Would you want to pay $15 million a year for a guy who doesn't pitch before the ninth inning, who has made the majority of his appearances with a lead of at least two runs in the ninth inning (a comfort zone even average relievers will convert more than 90 percent of the time)?...

I'm not blaming K-Rod. I'm sure he could do much heavier lifting, especially as he is entering what should be the prime of his career. It's the system that's out of whack....

• The Yankees always had an edge over teams with the ability of

• their best pitcher, Rivera, to clamp down games

• before the ninth inning.

What the Red Sox have done with Papelbon is to match that weaponry."...

• SI.com article by Tom Verducci, "Baseball's Closer-Minded Problem," 9/09/08

• (Among other factors is that some teams use the "total save stat" as a marketing and publicity vehicle to sell tickets. Limiting a closer to 1 inning or less increases the chance he will

• 'accumulate'

• more 'total saves,' which they then spin into campaigns
• for awards and more hype).sm
• via BTF

P.S. Verducci mentions post season importance of closers so it's safe to assume he has examined Rivera's 13 consecutive post seasons which have included numerous multi inning appearances, (save and non-save but most do-or-die) tie games, wins, etc.

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