[ricelynnevans75]

I agree with dbroockerd on this one. If you get the chance, I would grab a Mariano first. Looking at only the Beckett listings, he only has just over 200 cards autographed. Not 200 TOTAL cards, but 200+ card issues autographed. I don't know the overall number of autographed cards of his. I hope that made sense!

On the other hand, Pujols has over 1,000 card issues that were autographed. Again, not sure on the total number of actual autographed cards. If you have the money now, I'd grab a Mariano as he's signed so little already while active, I can't imagine he'll go into a flurry anytime soon and over time anyway, they will be harder to find while the availability of Pujols, with more signings to come obviously, will take longer before they dry up.

Just my $.02 with nothing to support my opinion other than looking to see the number of card issues produced with autographs.

[cptnemo66]

I agree with dbroockerd on this one. If you get the chance, I would grab a Mariano first. Looking at only the Beckett listings, he only has just over 200 cards autographed. Not 200 TOTAL cards, but 200+ card issues autographed. I don't know the overall number of autographed cards of his. I hope that made sense!

On the other hand, Pujols has over 1,000 card issues that were autographed. Again, not sure on the total number of actual autographed cards. If you have the money now, I'd grab a Mariano as he's signed so little already while active, I can't imagine he'll go into a flurry anytime soon and over time anyway, they will be harder to find while the availability of Pujols, with more signings to come obviously, will take longer before they dry up.

Just my $.02 with nothing to support my opinion other than looking to see the number of card issues produced with autographs.

+1 I was waiting to reply for someone to say this. I didnt want people to think my Yankee fandom influenced my decision.

[yankeescop]

Mariano Rivera. He has far less autographs cards then Pujols. Gonna be one of those guys that people will pay big money for down the road cause supply is so low.

[elfeo013]

Thank you guys for the replies, I will b on the hunt for a Pujols auto. I will post pics up later when I buy it.

[cato9er]

I think because there is less out there that you should choose Rivera. I see tons of high end pujols cards but very few Rivera. No one can rival Riveras stats...especially his postseason numbers.

[franciscomarina]

Just like they mentioned before. Pujols is a better player. Both are future hall of famers, but is not that easy to find a Mariano River auto. Just try going to big shows, and there are more Pujols auto than Rivera. There aren't that many Rivera auto cards in the market. Get the Rivera.

[murrylove]

Get the Rivera, signs way less than Pujols. And MO is the best ever, like his Triple Threads card says "Greatest Ever". Also, by saying Pujols play way more innings, that means he has 10X the chance to do something great, while Mariano only has that 1 ininng to prove his worth and greatness.

[juda7]

Go with the Pujols auto

[ny sports teams]

Pujols definetly. yes Rivera is a great closer but I wouldn't say greatest. Hoffman has that tied up for now. Pujols is definetly one of the greatest hitters in history.

Umm this is real tough, which player is really better.

PLAYER 1 - REGULAR SEASON
ERA---G---SV--BS--SV%---IP-----H---R--ER--HR--BB--SO---BF---WHIP
2.23-1029-592--72--89%-1199.0-927-321-297-65-272-1097-4767--1.00

H/9-HR/9-BB/9-SO/9-SO/BB
7.0---.5---2.0--8.2---4.03

PLAYER 2 - REGULAR SEASON
ERA---G---SV--BS--SV%---IP-----H---R--ER--HR--BB--SO---BF---WHIP
2.87-1035-601-76---89%-1089.1-846-378-347-100-307-1133-4388-1.058

H/9-HR/9-BB/9-SO/9-SO/BB
7.0--0.8---2.5--9.4---3.69

PLAYER 1 - POST SEASON
ERA---G--SV--IP----H--R---ER--HR-BB---SO---BF--WHIP
0.71--94--76-139.2-86-13--11---2--21--109--523--0.766

H/9--HR/9--BB/9--SO/9--SO/BB
5.5----.1----1.4---7.0----5.19

PLAYER 2 - POST SEASON
ERA---G--SV--IP----H--R---ER--HR-BB---SO---BF--WHIP
3.46--12--11-13.0--11--6---5----2--5---14---55---1.231

H/9--HR/9--BB/9--SO/9--SO/BB
7.6---1.4----3.5---9.7----2.80

PLAYER 1:
1 Time WS MVP
1 Time CS MVP
5 Time Rolaids Relief Award
12 Time All-Star

PLAYER 2:
2 Time Rolaids Relief Award
7 Time All-Star

This is a tough call for me. Player Two has nine more saves than player one. But on the other hand, Player One gives up less HR's per 9 innings, has a lower WHIP, has a higher strike to ball ratio and has over a half a run lower ERA while pitching in the AL which has a higher runs per game average. And that's not comparing post season performances.

AHH, I can't decide...Rick

[fulltritty]

That is a great head to head comparison of Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman which to me shows how superior a closer Rivera is compared to Hoffman in the post season especially, but also in the regular season. With only 6 less games played than Hoffman, Rivera has pitched in 110 more innings while giving up 56 less runs. Rivera by far is the superior closer and more valuable closer to his team.

If I remember correctly, those 2 post season homeruns under Hoffman's stats were the game tying and game winning homeruns he gave up to the Yankees in the 1998 World Series.

Umm this is real tough, which player is really better.

PLAYER 1 - REGULAR SEASON
ERA---G---SV--BS--SV%---IP-----H---R--ER--HR--BB--SO---BF---WHIP
2.23-1029-592--72--89%-1199.0-927-321-297-65-272-1097-4767--1.00

H/9-HR/9-BB/9-SO/9-SO/BB
7.0---.5---2.0--8.2---4.03

PLAYER 2 - REGULAR SEASON
ERA---G---SV--BS--SV%---IP-----H---R--ER--HR--BB--SO---BF---WHIP
2.87-1035-601-76---89%-1089.1-846-378-347-100-307-1133-4388-1.058

H/9-HR/9-BB/9-SO/9-SO/BB
7.0--0.8---2.5--9.4---3.69

PLAYER 1 - POST SEASON
ERA---G--SV--IP----H--R---ER--HR-BB---SO---BF--WHIP
0.71--94--76-139.2-86-13--11---2--21--109--523--0.766

H/9--HR/9--BB/9--SO/9--SO/BB
5.5----.1----1.4---7.0----5.19

PLAYER 2 - POST SEASON
ERA---G--SV--IP----H--R---ER--HR-BB---SO---BF--WHIP
3.46--12--11-13.0--11--6---5----2--5---14---55---1.231

H/9--HR/9--BB/9--SO/9--SO/BB
7.6---1.4----3.5---9.7----2.80

PLAYER 1:
1 Time WS MVP
1 Time CS MVP
5 Time Rolaids Relief Award
12 Time All-Star

PLAYER 2:
2 Time Rolaids Relief Award
7 Time All-Star

This is a tough call for me. Player Two has nine more saves than player one. But on the other hand, Player One gives up less HR's per 9 innings, has a lower WHIP, has a higher strike to ball ratio and has over a half a run lower ERA while pitching in the AL which has a higher runs per game average. And that's not comparing post season performances.

AHH, I can't decide...Rick