Closing Time

It took me a while to appreciate Rivera. Now in my post baseball days and being a former closer myself, I've had the "Rivera question" posed to me on a few occasions. This is a great explanation. You must appreciate that virtually no one else in baseball throws this pitch, so hitters just simply aren't used to facing this type of movement. Also, this cutter is an extremely difficult pitch to throw. In pitching, you're taught to remain relaxed and loose on the ball. The amount of space that exists in between your palm and the ball will determine a pitches velocity, and your grip can determine the movement. Applying pressure with certain fingers is counter intuitive. Many pitchers get great movement on their fastballs, like Greg Maddux, who is a pitcher that survived and flourished for many years throwing virtually one pitch, but mastering location and rhythm. His fastball however, "broke" naturally, fading and sinking into a righty and away from a lefty. Rivera's cutter is a paradox that comes as a result of his discipline and technique in applying pressure on the ball, most likely aided by his long fingers. Another pitcher who had long fingers and astounding "stuff," this guy.