Jim Leyland Cites the "Numbers" for Using Rivera in Eighth Inning

The setup was perfect.  The American League had a three-run lead down the stretch and a save situation was looking to be in the cards for perhaps the most immortal player in baseball history in his final All-Star game. When “Enter Sandman” began playing and that number 42 jersey began running out of the field, you could feel the chills all around Citi Field as Mariano Rivera was entering the game to get the final three outs.  But wait… It was only the eighth inning? Why was Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland robbing baseball fans everywhere of seeing Mariano Rivera close out the game?

“It’s simple. It all comes down to the numbers,” an angry Jim Leyland said to reporters after the game.  “If I want to win this game, I want the closer with the best numbers out there finishing it, and that man is Joe Nathan.”

If numbers were the reason for Leyland’s decision to not give the ball to the greatest closer in Major League Baseball history, it was certainly pretty close. Joe Nathan is 1-0 on the season with a 1.36 ERA and has converted on 30 of 31 saves this season.  Mariano Rivera is 1-2 with a 1.83 ERA and has converted on 30 of his 32 save chances.  So why not let the hometown hero finish the job in the ninth inning where he belonged?

“I don’t know if you guys realize this, but this game counts for something,” Leyland said. “I’m trying to get my team home-field advantage in the World Series, because we couldn’t fucking win last year without it. The National League lineup was relentless with Matt Carpenter and Carlos Gomez. Last I checked, Mariano Rivera is 43-years-old and coming off of major knee surgery. Give me Joe Nathan all day.”

Leyland's comments came as a bit of surprise considering the NL had been held to only two hits when Rivera took the ball, and both players that got hits were out of the game. Mariano Rivera didn’t seem to be bothered by the knock from his All-Star coach. He said he takes all criticism in stride and uses it as motivation.  

“It was out of my control when Jim decided to use me,” the future Hall-of-Famer said while receiving his All-Star MVP Award. “He’s had to deal with Jose Valverde for most of the season; I can understand why he’d be extra nervous about losing a lead late in the game.”

The controversial move by Leyland was seen as the wrong decision by most players and baseball writers around the country, but Joe Nathan supported the manager’s decision, believing that he was the right man for the job.

“I don’t understand why everyone is so pissed off to be honest with you,” admitted Joe Nathan after the game. “I’ve been a closer for a long time in this league too you know. Plus, in case nobody noticed, I got the three outs. Imagine if Mariano came in for the ninth and pulled a Trevor Hoffman? How about everyone stops bitching about it and appreciate what I, Joe Nathan, accomplished.”

There was no doubt that fans were disappointed, but a win is a win for the American League after all, and as Yankee teammate and Home Run Derby captain Robinson Cano pointed out, that’s what matters.

“It does make sense when you think about it,” said Cano, while icing his knee after being intentionally thrown at by Mets ace Matt Harvey. “The best hitters are out of the game before the ninth inning, it only makes sense that the best pitchers should be too.  What’s silly is having an exhibition game where feel-good gestures are the most important part, count for something that really matters.”

Like it or not, the American League will host the World Series this season for the first time since 2009.  Now it is up to the teams to determine who that host will be.