“…You Know You’re Not Mariano!!!”

All praises due, as this summer the great Mariano Rivera becomes the first player ever elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on 100% of the ballot… as a relief pitcher, no less! A position which the writers have snubbed over the years or made wait it out for petty reasons, has now made history! Being the all times Saves Leader with 652 and 42 more in the postseason, he notably did it most of his career with just 1 pitch. The Cutter. Sadly, that is where we have a problem.You’re Not Mariano

Mo’s epic career took off in the Mid to late 90’s. During my years in college and pro ball just after that, his legacy cemented himself at the top of the pyramid for all relief pitchers, ever. When you are in that position, you are often imitated, never, ever duplicated.

 

You’re Not Mariano!!!
Wait, What Do You Throw?

I can’t tell you the amount of young pitchers at the time who said,

“Yeah, I…uh…I just throw a Cutter”

Sure you do! And it is so devastating! As it moves, oh this little bitty much on a good day. Most of the time it is just another flat fastball, up in the zone. And you wonder why you are throwing batting practice to marginal hitters?

 

WHY???

 

Because you are not being authentic to yourself!!!
You don’t know anything about yourself as a pitcher!!! What are your strengths? Where you can locate the best? What is your out pitch? What is your go to pitch? AND NOTHING CHANGES SPEED!!!!

….You Know You’re NOT Mariano!!!!

 

I have had to tell this to many teammates and even close friends. Saving them the embarrassment and the hyper inflated ERA. By the way, this is not part of the Trial and Error process in pitching which I refer to frequently. It’s just plain stupid.

You’re Not Mariano!!!
Stay Grounded

 

Sure, we are all dreamers. However, in reality, here on Planet Earth, name another relief pitcher who has had even remotely equatable success to Mariano? For that matter, how many pitchers have had any sort of success throwing just 1 pitch?  

One can DOMINATE as such. For everyone else, it is just a bad gimmick which can demote you out of job. As One man’s success, is just false hope for everyone else.

Now whether you are guilty of trying to be like Mariano or any other MLB pitcher for that matter. Whether it be copying their repertoire or replicating their mechanics…..STOP IT!!! STOP POISONING YOURSELF!!!

MLB pitchers go through years of tinkering with things in their delivery and making adjustments to get to where they are today. All while under the guidance of the best coaching and now the best technology the game offers. Mariano also! Therefore, trying to impersonate that without putting in the work is just CRAZY!!!!

You’re Not Mariano!!!
Be YOUR Best

So if someday you want to have your own baseball card, then you need to know what is best for YOU! Your mechanics! Your delivery! Of course, YOUR PITCH REPERTOIRE!  

1ST THINGS 1ST. No pitcher is ever worth a damn without commanding the fastball! Don’t let the trendies and stat geeks tell you otherwise! Try getting hitters out when constantly behind 2-0, 2-1, 3-1!!  Is just awful.

Next find out what secondary pitches are best suited for you. Do you have the temperament to throw a good curveball consistently…or is it just too fine of a pitch? Are you more of a rear back and fire pitcher who lives to compete?  Are you looking for an upgrade on your arsenal? Whatever is best for you, is also what you can throw consistently. The more you make your pitches, the better you will be. Much better. This is where Conviction is King as a pitcher.

Don’t try to be Mariano. He is already taken. As for Chris Sale, Jacob deGrom, MADMAX, MADBUM, Thor, and every other stud.They are off limits. Simply Be YOU! And be the BEST possible version of yourself every time you take the mound!! That is when you will have the most success and the most enjoyment in the great game!!!!

 

Keep Dominating!!!