On May 31 Manny Ramirez slugged the 500th home run of his major league career. Nine days later Ken Griffey Jr. socked the 600th home run of his career.
The two sluggers reached their rare milestones in close proximity. Now, however, they have been linked in even closer proximity. They were traded on the same day, making sure that this is one deadline day that won’t soon be forgotten.
Two years ago the Yankees made a six-player trade with the Philadelphia Phillies the day before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline. The key player in the deal was Bobby Abreu, who proceeded to hit .330 for the Yankees and post assorted other impressive statistics.
The Yankees, who were in second place at the time of the trade, finished in first in the American League East so it’s fair to conclude that the deadline-beating trade was beneficial. It was not so beneficial to the other player the Yankees received in the deal, Corey Lidle, but that’s another story.
Mariano Rivera may very well be the best relief pitcher in history, but his workload makes him a pampered pitcher compared with his Hall of Fame predecessor with the Yankees.
Rich (Goose) Gossage is being inducted into the Hall of Fame Sunday, where Rivera will be some day, but to appreciate the difference in the two standout closers it is necessary to consider what was and is asked of them.
