http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/backpage/goose_rivera_not_all_time_best_closer_q4xNwG9zgcPxusHuFkSbvJ
Mariano Rivera is considered the best closer in baseball history by most. Just don’t count Goose Gossage in that category.
The former Yankees closer said Rivera is the best right now, but not all-time.
"I think that he is a tremendous relief pitcher,” Gossage told Players Press.
“He's the best, current-day, modern reliever. When I was inducted into
the Hall of Fame, I was told that I had 53 saves with seven-plus outs.
I was told that Mariano had one and Trevor Hoffman had two. So I think that says it in a nutshell."
Gossage had 310 saves and 3.01 ERA in a 23-year career, but as he
points out many of those were of the two- or three-inning variety. Most
of Rivera’s 526 saves were one-inning efforts.
Gossage was passed over for the Hall of Fame eight times before
being voted in 2008 and entering Cooperstown as a Yankee. Rivera is
expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after he retires.
But Gossage saved his harshest talk for Mets closer Francisco
Rodriguez, who has been criticized for his sometimes over-the-top
celebrations after finishing off a game.
"K-Rod is a clown," Gossage said. "I don't think there is any place for it in the game. You respect that other team."