I think if this question gets asked, it would be hands down that Mariano Rivera is the better pitcher, has had a better career, and I think the vote would be hands down. I tend to agree with that opening statement, but upon closer look, the numbers sure leave room for an arguement, so let's examine the numbers and then leave it for the reader to form his own opinion, or maybe someone will change what they think after reading this. That is the beauty of sports. You can put something on the table, and you are bound to get differing opinions from the same information, kind of reflective to the world of sports handicapping as well. Let's take a look at the two pitchers side by side stat for stat, and give the edge to the better numbers: GAMES: HOFFMAN 973 RIVERA 906 Not much to be gleaned here, they both have made a lot of appearances, and this stat is meaningless. EDGE: NEITHER INNINGS: HOFFMAN 1030 RIVERA 1079.1 Another catergory that doesn't mean much, but what we do get from these first 2 catergories, as they each have had about an equal amount of games, and innings from which to measure, so an even playing field in that regard. EDGE: NEITHER HITS ALLOWED: HOFFMAN 793 RIVERA 841 A significant catergory in the sense that this shows how difficult each has been to hit through their careers, as Hoffman allowed 0.77 hits per inning pitched, while Rivera allowed 0.78 EDGE: DEAD HEAT WALKS: HOFFMAN 284 RIVERA 253 Both pitchers success is partially based on pinpoint control, and Hoffman walked 2.48 per 9 innings, and Rivera 2.11 EDGE: Have to give a slight marginal edge to Rivera here STRIKEOUTS: HOFFMAN 1092 RIVERA 995 Not a highly significant area to judge, but a worthwhile catergory to peak at, as Hoffman has averaged 9.54 k's per 9 innings to Rivera's 8.3 per 9 innings EDGE: Slight edge goes to Hoffman here SAVES: HOFFMAN 584 RIVERA 520 Hoffman is the leader and Rivera is not far behind. EDGE: Hoffman BLOWN SAVES: HOFFMAN 69 RIVERA 61 While Hoffman has 8 more blown saves, the opportunities have been greater. EDGE: NONE SAVE PERCENTAGE: HOFFMAN 584/653 .8943 RIVERA 520/581 .8950 As you can see these guys have been a dead heat, seperated by a third digit behind the decimal point. EDGE: NONE POST SEASON: Rivera has no peers when it comes to closing a game in the post-season, and has a miriad of opportunities. Rivera is 8-1 with an 0.77 ERA and has saved 34 of 39. Hoffman has had limited opportunities, so almost unfair to make a comparison. He has a 3.46 ERA but just 13 innings pitched, and has saved 4 of 6. EDGE: HUGE to Rivera FINAL THOUGHTS: The regular season numbers provide the fodder that Hoffman has had every bit the career Rivera has had, and looking at the numbers it is hard to argue that, and one could conclude, he has perhaps even exceeded what Rivera has done based on the team he pitched for, and the team that Rivera pitched for. The difference is the post-season, where Rivera has put up legendary numbers, and stands peerless on his way to a first ballet Hall of Fame selection when he retires. THEN THE WHAT IF GAME: What if Trevor Hoffman wore a NY Yankee uniform through his entire career, and Mariano Rivera wore a San Diego Padre uniform his entire career? Would be looking at this the same way, only Hoffman would be the one with all the glory, and prestige, associated with NY? Would he have been able to do it in NY? We will never know the answers to those questions, but you can certainly make the arguement that Hoffman, if he was in NY, and Rivera, if he was in SD, we would be looking at these two differently. Then again, the way the Yankees seem to be able to buy any player they want, if they didn't have Rivera, Hoffman might have ended up in NY anyway!!!! EAST