Yankees fans are pathetic. Wagner started using the song 3 years before Rivera had even heard the song. In fact, Wagner picked the song, since he is a Metallica fan. Rivera had the song picked for him by Yankees personnel because it solicited the best crowd response of the test group of songs they tried (after seeing the SD crowd react to Hoffman’s entry AC/DC tune). Doesn’t that seem poetic–Yankees music picked to maximize crowd response / profit. Ridiculous that Yankees fans (for whom the world revolves around their own ego) think Wagner should pick a different song because THEY heard it played when Rivera entered a game first–nevermind the fact that Wagner entered to it, knows the band’s music, and picked the song (when Rivera didn’t) 3 YEARS BEFORE. Perhaps Wagner should apologize for making his MLB debut in a city that’s not New York. How absurd. For factual reference, see this article:
New York Daily News – Sports – Song belongs to Met-tallica

-Jesse

First off, who was it that pitched a no-no against the Yankees, the first since ’54, in Yankee Stadium, of all places? Oh, it was the Astros. Who finished that no-no…BILLY WAGNER.

It’s laughable to any baseball fan not living in NY to even suggest that Rivera is the best relief pitcher of all time. He’s not even top 5. While Wagner isn’t either, they’re in the same category–great closers, each has been the best closer in at least one individual year. Both have won the Rolaids Relief award. Rivera’s pitched more in the playoffs, but that’s a ridiculous measure of superiority for a closer (as if Wagner could have personally launched his team into the playoffs, or as if the Astros with Rivera would have gone farther in the plyoffs!).

Still, their stats do show a few interesting things. Essentially equal ERA’s, but Wagner’s strikeout pace is much higher. Wags 11.96 vs. Rivera’s 7.99. Wagner is also possibly the hardest throwing pitcher of all time (clocked at 103 in Arizona–on a night when RJ topped out at 97 on the same gun). Wagner also holds the all-time record for strikeouts by a relief pitcher (in a single season) and strikeouts per 9IP for a season, and career.

Wagner struck out a ridiculous 14.95 per 9IP in ’99. For comparison, Mo had 6.78 in what was a pretty good season for him.

Bottom line: Mo will be remembered as being on a good team, and having the good fortune to pitch on the postseason stage, and doing a good job with it. Wagner will be remembered as probably the best lefty closer of all time, and perhaps the hardest throwing pitcher of his age, and the best, most efficient strikeout pitcher of all time.

Oh, and Wags used the song before the Jesus-music loving Rivera, by 3 years. For reference, see this article:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/406146p-343920c.html

Wags will also be remembered as the last pitcher to no-no the Yankees, and the first to do it since ’54.