DEC

17

 I wonder... Why is the closer's role more important in baseball than then the middle reliever/set-up man? Why is the save a more prominent statistical category than a Hold? Ask any true baseball fan, who lead the league in Holds last year? How many of them will have the correct answer?   According to CBSsportsline.com: A hold is credited anytime a pitcher enters a game in a Save Situation, records at least one out and leaves the game never giving up the lead. A pitcher cannot finish the game or earn a save and a hold in the same game.   As I read this definition, I would imagine that there are only a select number pitchers with multiple Holds. I would like to think that these people have more value than they are given credit for.  One particular example is Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres. How many people outside San Diego really know him? Sure a lot of people have heard of him, but how many knows just what he did last year? Heath Bell finished the year second in the league with Holds (34) and had an amazing 0.96 WHIP. He also struck out 102 batters in 94 innings. I am sure he was not on many people's fantasy team, since he doesn't get the usual Wins or Saves category.   Another example is Jon Rauch of Washington. This is another set-up man with incredible numbers. He finished tied for third in the Holds category (33). John Rauch had an amazing 71 strikeouts in 87 innings. There was word that he may become the closer of the future, yet he is stuck in middle relief innings of the ball game, so most fans did not take notice.   Even the MLB writers and players association drop the ball when recognizing the middle reliever/setup man. The only major award that a pitcher out of the bullpen gets is the DHL Delivery man award. This award has started in 2005 and all three years a closer has received it. Will this be a growing trend for this award,is the closer always a lock for this trophy? The CY Young is another pitchers award. This award is hardly won by anyon...

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