Round Two (Players): Babe Ruth versus Mariano Rivera

[Fishercat]

Babe Ruth (1915, 1916, 1918, 1921-1923, 1926-1928, 1932): The Sultan of Swat, while not a compiler due to the playoff format in his heyday, was a prolific playoff performer. In 10 World Series, his team won seven times. He pitched in two World Series, making a total of three starts (including a 14-inning start in 1916) for a 2-0 record and a .87 ERA. He recorded a .326-.467-.744 line in 129 at-bats. His hitting dominance started in 1923, where he put up a 1.556 OPS over 6 games in a World Series win over the Giants. Babe Ruth may be best known for his called shot against the Cubs in the 1932 World Series.

versus

Mariano Rivera (1995-2005 (active): Should I really have to explain why Mo Rivera, the best postseason RP of all time, is on this list. Well, he has thirty-four post-season saves. In 111 2/3 innings, he has given up 10 earned runs for a .81 ERA. He’s allowed 84 hits and walks (combined) in that time period. He owns four World Series rings and he only has three memorable blemishes on his record (2001 WS, and two in the 2004 ALCS, only one of which was really his fault). Hit cut fastball was, and still is, devastating. He is almost impossible to score off of in the LDS, with a .43 ERA, and it doesn’t get a lot better for hitters from there. Hell, his LDS WHIP is about .50. He has exactly one postseason loss in 72 appearances. He’s a monster.

The only guy who threw a shutout in R1 v. the Sultan of Swat...nice.

[nyjunc]

This is near impossible to pick. I'll have to think more about it.

[Dry1313]

Rivera is #1 IMO. He had 2 slip ups in his entire postseason career. 1 against the Injuns in '97 and uh...1 I don't like to talk about in 2001...but hey, everyone makes mistakes. Ruth was generally a beast but IDK...

[Fishercat]

I'll give it to Rivera, but it's really close and the random pairing hurt a probably Final 5 guy