Who's the best closer in baseball?

Is the answer even in doubt?

Gotta go with Gagne. Has 3 quality pitches and is nasty with all 3. Hard to overlook Rivera here, though...he is ridiculously good especially since his pitches are hard and hardER! Both are fantastic.

I really like Percival. Smoltz is a favorite, but not a great year for Smoltzy, but what a warrior.

Rivera...his record speaks for itself

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Wow.

I, too, don't understand why anyone would question who has been the best for the past 2 years.

What did he have? 84-85 in a row!

I think Gagne's MLB record speaks for itself.

I like Percival (go Highlanders ... past and present) but I have heard that he he is relying more on his offspeed these days rather than his fastball.

But still believe Gagne is the (present) best closer.

But he always came in with a lead and pitched one inning

Rarely if ever did he come into game situations such as Mariano does

He is not the same now that his setup man is gone and he is being used differently

Mariano Rivera is arguably the best relief pitcher of all time. As TR states, its not just one inning he pitches anymore and the bases are usually not empty! That is an entirely different situation from the typical closer role.

He is $$$$ in post season play when everything is on the line.

The beauty of Rivera is the batters know what coming...and they can't hit it anyway. While other closers like Foulke use deception (in his change-up which he delivers the same as his fastball) Mariano throws his cutter and says here it comes!

Hey! What about the Rockies Shawn Chacon??

I would have to say Smoltz, but being from Atlanta, I'm a little biased.

Gagne is the best right now. Rivera has been the best over the past 9 years.

I would say Rivera, but not against the Sox

Brad Lidge of the Astros is quickly making a believer out of this observer!

Well, we know it's not Jason Isringhausen....

I'd have to go with either Vic Darounsborg or Pedro Feliciano.

I used to think it was Rivera.

Gagne no doubt. But everytime the sandman comes you still are scared to death, regardless of what happened the last two nights. You never ever want to play the yankees trailing after 7 innings. I know what has happened but don't make a living doing it. Rivera is way too good on the big stage. No one better in big games. Gagne over the long haul.