The Closer

The closer is now an essential part of a baseball team. A flamethrower who comes out the pen. A guy who can strikeout everyone he faces. A personality that intimidates the hitter. Most importantly a pitcher who can save the game.

In 2012 many pitchers who assumed the role of closer, but have sustained an injury. Santiago Cassilla is taking over for Brian Wilson, David Robertson is taking over for Mariano Rivera, Sean Marshal is taking over for Ryan Madson, and who ever the Red Sox have is taking over for Andrew Bailey.

Also this year some closers have not performed well and were stripped of their duty. Heath Bell has not performed for the Miami Marlins and has lost his role.

My favorite part of the closer is the entrance. Jogging in from the bullpen and then warming up to a hardcore song that describes the pitcher. "Enter Sandman" by Metallica for Mariano Rivera and when Jonathon Papelbon was on the Red Sox "Shipping Out to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys. One song that isn't being used by a closer is "Sound of Madness" by Shinedown. I think it would be the perfect fit for a flame throwing pitcher. A possible fit for such a song would be Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta braves.

Some older baseball fans don't approve of the closer, but I love it. It creates a high intensity moment at the end of the game. It gets the fans on their feet and makes everything exciting. Some analysts say they would rather use their best relief pitcher in a tougher situation in say the 7th inning. Although many don't realize it, the closer is not the best pitcher in the bullpen. Tyler Clippard is not the closer for the Nationals, Mike Adams is not the closer for the Rangers, David Robertson was not the closer for the Yankees in 2011 , and Aroldis Chapman is not the closer for the Reds.

The closer is one of my favorite aspects of the game of baseball and it is here to stay. The productivity of the closer is determined on how well the manager uses the bullpen.