Hoffman concedes best closer status to Rivera

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Tuesday, July 18, 2006 11:36 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- After Mariano Rivera earned his 400th career save Sunday, Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley was asked by the Associated Press where the New York Yankees' relief ace fits in the pantheon of baseball closers.

"The best ever, no doubt about it," Eckersley said.

Padres closer Trevor Hoffman might have been offended ---- if he didn't agree with Eckersley, that is.

"I think he's the best, too," Hoffman said Tuesday. "It's not a discredit to myself, either. It's hard to match what he's done, especially when you factor in the postseason. And pitching in New York is a lot different than pitching anywhere else.

"He's amazing. I'd love to be able to argue about it and get fired up."

With 461 career saves, Hoffman ranks second on the all-time list and has 60 more than Rivera. Hoffman's conversion rate of 89.7 percent, the best in history for pitchers with at least 190 save opportunities, is higher than Rivera's rate of 88.1 percent.

The case for Rivera is that he has been a closer for three fewer seasons than Hoffman, he owns a better career ERA (2.31 to 2.71) and, most important, he has a dazzling playoff resume (8-1 with a 0.81 ERA and 34 saves).

"I don't think it's much of an argument," Hoffman said.

Like Hoffman, the 36-year-old Rivera has ridden a signature pitch to prominence. Unlike Hoffman and his change-up, however, Rivera uses his cut fastball the vast majority of the time. The pitch is particularly devastating to left-handed hitters, who are easily jammed by it.

"He'll throw a four-seam fastball, but basically it's cutter, cutter, cutter," said Hoffman, who spoke with Rivera at last week's All-Star game.

"It's pretty impressive that he has one pitch, but it's still 94, 95 (mph) with late movement."

Young hopes for quick return

Padres pitcher Chris Young will be fitted for an orthopedic insert in his right shoe that he hopes will allow him to overcome a stress reaction in his foot and return to the mound on Monday.

"It has felt a little bit better each day, but it's not 100 percent by any means," said Young, who injured the foot while running down the first-base line Friday against Atlanta. "I don't think this will be an issue once it calms down."

The Padres will likely recall rookie Mike Thompson from Triple-A Portland to start this afternoon versus Philadelphia. Candidates for demotion include relievers Cla Meredith and Jon Adkins.

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