From the New York press, I understand the Yankee-centric reporting. But I'm always somewhat amused that nobody says "Foulke loses game after Varitek ties it up." Maybe the Boston 'papers have a Boston-centric headline, but everybody else acts like the Yankees are supposed to win 162 games this season.
It's as if Jason Varitek didn't actually do anything. He gets no credit for being a good hitter and getting a good hit against a good pitcher.
Anyway, let's inject some sanity into the discussion:
"Manager Joe Torre keeps insisting he has an unshakable faith in Rivera. So do the rest of the Yankees. But, clearly, something's wrong."
Rivera did not pitch well yesterday and the Red Sox made him pay. But he also struck out two batters, got the win after he blew the save, and, while they say his control wasn't pinpoint, he didn't walk anybody. He didn't even fall behind in the count.
I didn't watch the game on TV, so I can't say for sure how good his control was. When I saw the replays, the pitch to Varitek looked like a tough pitch to handle.
"The first theory is the most obvious: Rivera is 35 and showing increasing signs of his own mortality. Rivera's velocity is still well above average at 92-94 mph, but he's already experienced a bout of bursitis in his right elbow this spring."
I don't really know what to say. Mariano is always on the DL, his elbow is always tender, Torre is always worried about overworking him, the Yankees always treat him with kid gloves with an eye on October.
Last year, Old Man Rivera had 53 saves and a 1.94 era. He has never had a save% of 100%, he has never had an ERA of 0.00, he always goes through a tough stretch like everybody else who ever played baseball.
Yet, every single time he blows a save, there is a contingent of Yankee fans who worry if his career is over and suggest that he develop a new pitch. Between June and August, he'll convert 24 saves in a row and you won't see one single article about how good he's pitching.
"The other theory is that, even if Rivera was as precise as a surgeon, he'd still be paying the price for overexposure against the Sox. Some of their hitters have accumulated so many career at-bats against Rivera, they've more immunized to the speed, action and location of Rivera's cutter.
How else to explain why Manny Ramirez (29 at-bats) Damon (20), Varitek (18) and David Ortiz (10) can look comfortable against the greatest closer of this generation?"
Bad theory!
Again, give the Red Sox some credit.
Rivera faces the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Devil Rays as often as he faces the Red Sox. Actually, he probably faces those teams more often, since they're easier to beat than Boston.
The Red Sox have a great lineup, one of the best lineups you will ever see in your lifetime. In the long run, every pitcher -- starter, middle relief, or closer -- will have more difficulty vs. the Red Sox.
Also, one should examine the term "blown save" a little more closely. Just be fair about it. Be honest about it.
Anyone with a memory knows that Rivera didn't really "blow" game five of the ALCS last year. Gordon blew game five. Rivera came in to clean up Gordon's mess and somehow managed to keep the Yankees in the game. Against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway. Tough assignment.
Brilliant pitching by Mariano, even if it counts as a debit in the stat sheet. If you're really expecting a closer to strike out three batters in a row every time he pitches, then you're simply deluded.
So what happened yesterday? Not much. Every now and again, even a great pitcher like Mariano is going to walk out to the mound and do his best Braden Looper impression.
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