WHY CLOSERS THRIVE IN HOT SPOTS

One thing that most people don't realize about closers is that they thrive in situations that require them to pump true adrenaline. 3-2 game, ninth inning 1 out, man on second or a bases loaded situation, 4-2 in the ninth, 2 out. You know what I mean?

We've seen Mo in that spot plenty of times and he's calm as can be but he's in a hot spot and that's the way he likes it. How about Rafael Soriano , a former closer. He's just as calm when he has a 1 run lead, then when he's in a none save situation. More on that later, my point is, closers need an adrenaline rush to perform best. (photo: Getty)
A closer's mentality is to enter with a lead and leave with that same lead intact. If a closer goes in with a 4 or more run lead, they feel no pressure and no adrenaline is pumping through their veins. This causes even the great Mariano Rivera to look like Brad Lidge in the 2009 World Series.

Sometimes it works the other way, if the game's tied, it's a different type of ballgame. They aren't saving a game as much as they're extending the game and the mentality and adrenaline rush is totally different if it's say 5-5, not 5-3. That situation happened to Mo back in 2009 against the Rays. Read it HERE. The game was tied 5-5 in the ninth, Mariano came in and the wheels fell off. Yanks lost that one and it was an ugly day.
(photo: Getty)
This brings me to the other night in the Bronx. Girardi sends in Soriano with a 4-0 lead in the 8th. Soriano is a former closer so his mentality, his instincts are the same as if he were actually the closer. Yes, he has to now harness differently, but that takes alittle time. My point is, it's not a hot spot. My question is, was it a smart move in your opinion to bring in Soriano there?

Let me know by simply commenting on this post, commenting on Facebook at the BleednYankeeBlu (Group), or simply adding me as a friend on Facebook. I'm always there and I always want to talk baseball.



--Will Cohen, BYB Staff Writer
My Email: will.cohen.bleedingyankeeblue@gmail.com


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