As a Sox fan I can say that the comebacks that were achieved (particularly in 2004) are all the more sweeter for coming off such a great player.
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To that point, as much as Torre is maligned for his bullpen usage, going to a rested Mo in the 8th with the lead was the right thing to do.

jmeisner brings up a good point, because he really does have to decline at some point, doesn’t he? Or did he make a pact with the devil when he was a mediocre starter?

So let’s say, for argument’s sake, that Mariano gets hurt or finally does decline this year. Steve, will it be your position that Cashman failed to adequately plan for a 39 year old closer?

As a Sox fan I can say that the comebacks that were achieved (particularly in 2004) are all the more sweeter for coming off such a great player. Undoubtedly the Yankee I’ve respected the most, without any reservations, over the past decade plus. And I liked him even more when he laughed and tipped his cap on Opening Day in 2005.

I have my torch and pitchfork, lets get jmeisner!

It has been a great ride, from 95 on up. It has been a pleasure watching Mo pitch, and he seems to be a pretty good guy to boot.

//…he is human, so he will decline at some point.//

Blasphemy!

Er, no mention of the shoulder pain he was enduring all season that required off-season surgery? Mo has been freakishly consistent even into the late stages of his career, but he is human, so he will decline at some point. Yeah, he might have another stellar season, but I wouldn’t be SHOCKED to see an injury-plagued 2009 campaign for Mo.