Trying to compare a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher is like trying to compare a first baseman with a shortstop. They are both infielders, but are asked to do two very different things.
Would you vote Lou Gehrig as the best infielder ever? Over Wags, Ripken, Brooks, Schmitty, etc?? Why, he didn't even have to throw the ball.
Of course not, they are two different positions, but both infielders. Just like relievers and starters are both pitchers, but different positions.
This is a baited question. It should be: Was Mo the greatest reliever ever?
The game changes. Roles change. Relief pitchers are now not just failed starters, designated hitters are a thing. And we are seeing even more changes with more defensive shifts, hitters swinging for the fence, higher strikeout numbers, managers handling pitchers differently, off-season conditioning, etc.
Mo was the greatest at what he did. He shortened the game to 8 innings for the Yankees on defense. He wasn't a starter any more than he was a shortstop. So don't try to compare him to one.
BTW, I voted 'no' on this question, but I think it was the wrong question.
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Working Sets:
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T206 SLers - Virginia League (-1)
1952 Topps - low numbers (-1)
1954 Bowman (-3)
1964 Topps Giants auto'd (-2)
Last edited by Bigdaddy; 01-24-2019 at 06:38 PM.
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