Top Relievers in 2007

So, I had planned to post a thorough review of the top relievers of 2007 a few days ago. Sorry — my NYE Spinach & Artichoke Dip preparation got in the way. Now, because 2007 is so yesterday, here’s my cop-out Top Five list (please note that this list is in no way based upon holds or saves):

* Honorable mention: Pat Neshek, Tony Pena, Rafael Perez, Chad Qualls, Brandon Lyon

5. Joba Chamberlain – He was called up on August 8, but his name belongs on this list because: (1) he had an utterly dominant two-month stretch, helping to propel the Yankees to the postseason; (2) he achieved icon status in New York in record time; and (3) I’m a biased Yankees’ fan.

4. Carlos Marmol – Was nearly N.L. MVP. Plus, 96 K’s in 69.1 innings!

3. Hideki Okajima - The silver lining for us Yankees’ fans is that Jeemer struggled in the second half of the season; perhaps the league caught up to him a bit. Nevertheless, he was lights out in the first half and a major contributor to Boston’s championship season. Who woulda thunk that he’d be Boston’s best Japanese import?

2. Rafael Betancourt – I almost put him at number one, but because the Mitchell Report can selectively single out a small percentage of players who might have used PEDs, I choose to selectively discount Betancourt’s 2007 accomplishments because of his positive test a few years back. That said, Betancourt was awesome this past season. See, e.g., 312 ERA+!!!!

1. Heath Bell - A year ago, the Mets sent Bell to Kevin Towers’s Padres after a disappointing 2006 campaign. In 2007, Bell made, to say the least, a dramatic turnaround. While most of his numbers are similarly impressive as compared to the other guys on this list, what stands out the most, and what made Bell such a valuable reliever in 2007, is that he put those numbers up over 81 games and 93.2 innings pitched. In other words, Joe Torre would love to get this guy in a Dodgers uniform.

His arm might fall off by the middle of 2008, but, in 2007, Heath Bell was the best middle-relief pitcher in baseball. Congratulations, Heath!

Christmas Miracle: Relief Pitcher Turns to God After Steroid Use

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Dan Naulty, former relief pitcher named in the Mitchell Report, whose use of steroids caused him to question the meaning of life and ultimately put him on a more righteous path.

Happy Holidays!

Below:  Hot-selling new Christmas tree ornament.  

 

Relievers React to Mitchell Report

- There was only a bit of circumstantial evidence, but that was enough for Brendan Donnelly to be forever linked with the Mitchell Report. Now he’s sick to his stomach.

- Who is Kirk Radomski? Mike Stanton says he has no idea what the man who purportedly sold him human growth hormone even looks like.

- Unsigned reliever Ron Villone is glum.

- Matt Herges is mum, but his team believes that he’ll have to provide an explanation.

Which Random Middle Relievers Will Be Named in the Mitchell Report?

For every Barry Bonds or Rafael Palmeiro, there’s a Jason Grimsley or Guillermo Mota. In light of the news that the Mitchell Report, to be released Thursday, will contain approximately fifty names of former and current MLBers, expect some unheralded middle-relief pitchers to be on that list.

Here are three random players I predict to be named:*

(1) Vinnie Chulk (Giants) – Barry’s partner-in-crime

(2) Brendan Donnelly (Red Sox) – put an asterisk on the 2007 championship

(3) Tanyon Sturtze (inactive/retired) – my favorite Yankee in 2004-2005

*These predictions are based on absolutely nothing. Except scientific fact.