Closers Of The Future
Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 08/31/2005 - 10:03pmWell, let me introduce myself before you read my dull words, that
somehow made it into this very-appreciated site. I'm Carlos Rubi, an
eighteen year old high school senior from Merida, Mexico; I've been a
Cubs fanatic since 1994, and will be one until... well, until I stop
caring. Or until I get married. Some of you may know me from the
Parachat; I'm usually there to spend every other game,
classes-permitting I also run a weblog Dusty Says, along with two
other people. Well, then, I shall leave you with the article. Thanks
to TCR for giving me this opportunity...
He has the stuff to be the Cubs' closer of the future!
How many times have we heard that in the past ten years? Try to remember the number. Three, four? Wrong. The closer role is as vital as a bag of carrots; though, in the modern way of playing baseball, it must be a role well defined and set to an individual.
Through the minor leagues, and even in the major leagues, several lethal pitchers with arrow fastballs and knee-buckling breaking stuff have joined the spinning wheel that is the Cubs bullpen. Guys like Myers, Gordon, Alfonseca, Veres, Remlinger all have closed games for the Cubs, but all of those were acquired by trades or free agency.
This story, though, will focus on the guys scouts have labeled as the perennial closers of the future (COTF); none of them, at the time of this article, have been able to succeed at that role.
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