Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all time. GOAT. As a Mets fan, it usually does not sadden me to see a Yankee fall on hard times. It did here. As a baseball fan, I was deeply disturbed by this news. He is in the top 10 all-time Yankees for sure. Arguably top 5. For an organization as deep as the new York Yankees... that is truly a monstrous feat. He didn't deserve to have this happen. His plan was to retire after this season. He shouldn't have to come back next season to end on his terms. He deserved better.
And as for the notion that statistically Billy Wagner was almost his equal.... Well... lets say that was an ambitious statement. Wagner is good. Very good. He ain't Mariano Rivera.
Wagner's best season save-wise was 44. Rivera managed that number or better 5 times, and twice had 43. Wagner had 300 less IP, yet had more HRs allowed by a GOOD margin (82-65 or 25% more in 25% fewer innings), more BB (300-277). He was a power pitcher, more than Rivera was, no doubt. He had more whiffs (1196-1119) in fewer innings than Rivera. And yes... the same WHIP (0.998). Rivera's ERA was lower by a small amount (2.20-2.31). But Rivera's ERA+ is the GOAT at 206 because he pitched in the AMERICAN LEAGUE, while all but 13ip of Wagner's career came in the lighter hitting NL, leaving Wagner's ERA+ at a more than respectable 187, but a full 10% less than Rivera (or in HR terms, 76 homers behind Bonds for GOAT). I dont think we have to talk about postseason..... I think Billy Wagner was top 3 or 4 all time as a closer. But there is no argument placing him in the same chapter of any relief pitching book as Rivera, let alone the same sentence. Rivera was in a class by himself.