Shocker all-time bestreliever question

[Shocker85]

Those of you who weren't around when Jim Newlin pitched have no idea how FILTHY he was coming out of the pen. Think nasty Damon Sublett stuff thrown by a guy with a funky arm motion. Back in those days, I used to sit behind the plate, and Newlin threw some slider or curve that shot out of a flailing arm from his ear and dropped out of site. Just wicked. He was truly a 'closer' before closers became chic.

Looper was the best fire-baller who just blew the ball by guys. Probably the more prototypical closer.

Damon Sublett hasn't earned a spot on this list ... yet. The nasty stuff he throws is almost unfair. I hope he gets lots of chances to show-off his stuff, because he does have a chance to be one of the best.

--'85.

[shox8498]

I thought Newlin was pretty good. But Coach K refused to pull a tiring Greg Brummett and go to him in the '89 title game. Oh well, all is well that ends well there, though.

I also like Sublett's chances of being a great reliever. Haven't seen enough of Noah Krol yet to decide how good he might be.

The main reason I mention Krol is that I like the recent group of two way players Gene has been bringing in. That group also includes Danny Jackson.

Depending on who's in the lineup, we can just about go to any infielder to stop a rally (Krol, Sublett, Jackson, etc.). It's exciting to think about it.

[TJ925]

Greg Bauer has got to be on that list before Mike Dennison. Bauer is what 3rd or something on the all-time list of saves.

[SpanglerFan316]

Batters were a little afraid of Bluma after having been shocked by Driefort's pitching. It didn't hurt that the infield would suck up anything on the ground and double plays were completely routine. But, of course, our best "closer" was Mike Jones http://webs.wichita.edu/dt/shockerma...sp?_s=124&_d=6. The best closer, catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field and right field was also Mike Jones.

[haysdb]

Damon has a long way to go, but it's interesting to note that he is already 12th on the career list of saves with 12. Marc Bluma is the career leader with 44.

[shockfan89]

Wow. I still haven't voted because I can't decide. I have been thinking about this since the post started but not sure I am much closer. Get it, closer?

I have to agree with Shocker85, I think Newlin was down right nasty and I am not sure how anyone could pick that ball up much less determine what was coming at you!!!

I also agree that Jamie Bluma was the person I felt the most comfortable with when he entered the game. I never had that feeling with Marc but he is the career leader so maybe that was just a perception.

Sublett will deserve to be on this list by the time he is done. I love watching him pitch, but I wonder if he will get as many opportunities as others since his glove and bat are so important as well?

[BostonWu]

Newlin is before my time, but of the others, Jamie Bluma is my guy.

Elasped time is the only reason Newlin isn't leading this poll. When he came into the game (and he played in the biggest most pressure packed games in the history of the program) it was game over! It's been a long time but I don't ever remember him blowing a save in any big game.

[Shocker85]

Elasped time is the only reason Newlin isn't leading this poll. When he came into the game (and he played in the biggest most pressure packed games in the history of the program) it was game over! It's been a long time but I don't ever remember him blowing a save in any big game.

BW, You hit this one on the head. Newlin was just on the leading of the heyday of Shocker baseball - back when we only had the freeze-your-ass-off bleachers and the hill.

It says alot for the program that there are so many great ones to choose from.

--'85.