July 17, 2006

It’s been a banner year for Mariano Rivera of Marietta. But then again, it always is for one of the DMBL’s all-time greatest pitchers. This season the closer surpassed Troy Percival (672) to set a new league mark for most appearances in a career, and at the trading deadline was just seven appearances from becoming the first to reach 700. A superb second half and Rivera could have an outside shot at reaching 300 saves this season. If not, it’d be a lock for 2007.

Newark’s Tom Gordon recently made his 400th appearance, becoming the 17th DMBLer to reach the milestone. Jason Isringhausen of Hoboken got to 400 earlier this season, and also passed current teammate Roberto Hernandez (129) and Uggie Urbina of Carolina (130) to settle into 5th on the all-time saves list. In his first appearance of 2006, Hernandez made it 500 for his career following a multi-year layoff from the DMBL. Only five others can lay claim to 500 – Rick Aguilera and Rivera’s current teammate Trevor Hoffman are the others.

It was bad timing for Bob Wickman, late of the Hoboken Cutters. Though he came on of late to record six saves, he had been battered around all season with a 7+ ERA, and made only 24 appearances. With the trade for Westwood’s Jose Valverde, Wickman was released by Hoboken just six appearances shy of 400.

Roger Clemens of Arkansas could soon become the third pitcher to make 400 career starts. Tom Glavine (390) and Vancouver’s Greg Maddux (388) were the first pair of hurlers to do it, achieving the feat earlier this season. Glavine, who also suffered his 150th career loss, surpassing David Wells for No. 1 all-time, was dealt from D.C. to Westwood, where he expects to continue to extend his league records. At the trade deadline, he was just 33 strikeouts away passing Kevin Appier and joining the top 10 in that category.

More Milestones articles can be found in the Milestones Archives.