Baseball media choose to make Krod famous, PENALIZING OTHER GOOD PITCHERS WHO WEREN'T LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE 'OPPORTUNITIES'

Tim Marchman, NY Sun, adds some context: 9/12/08: "What really matters, though, is that...this value derives from context, which is very different

• from value deriving from innate excellence.

(Francisco) Rodriguez may have been wonderful in the clutch so far this year, but playing well in the clutch isn't really an inherent skill. Even if it were, it would be of dubious use —

• without save chances to give him this October, for instance, even magic Rodriguez talents would do the Angels no good.

This last would be most worth keeping in mind for the Mets, or any other team tempted to solve a bullpen problem quickly this fall

• by helping Rodriguez to set another record,

• as the best-paid reliever in baseball.

When a player's value depends on what happens around him, it's hard to say just what he's worth at all."

• (Just as post season opportunities "penalize" those who don't have them (as the mafia pushes), regular season opportunities are
• just as 'injurious' to players who simply
  
• aren't lucky). sm