The one-of-a-kind
Mariano Rivera will announce his retirement after this 2013 season in a press
conference slated for tomorrow. As a lifelong Yankees fan, this will be a sad
time because it is truly the end of one of the all-time greatest careers in
Yankees history.
The 43-year-old Rivera
is a baseball marvel, getting hitters out for 17 years with one pitch – albeit a
very nasty one. It was Rivera who was the difference-maker in all of the
Yankees’ five World Series titles during the past 16 seasons. He will go down
in history as one of the Top 5 all-time greatest Yankees (Ruth, Gehrig,
DiMaggio, Mantle). No one else dominated his position more than Mo did. He’s
the all-time saves leader in MLB history and has one of the lowest ERA’s for a
pitcher with at least 1000 innings pitched.
I could go on for awhile
about my feelings for the classy Rivera, but I though a few comments pulled
from ESPN’s message board says it all:
“I'm a die hard red sox
fan, but I have always had the utmost respect for Mo. I'm extremely glad that
the man gets to retire on top. I would have hated to see a stellar player who
is also a great human being retire after an injury.
I sincerely hope his 2013 season is injury free. There are very few players, Yankees and Red Sox alike that have earned my lifetime respect. Mariano is one of them.
He defines what it means to be a player. He is the role model we want for our kids.
I cant think of a better player to represent baseball in my generation. I salute you sir.””
I sincerely hope his 2013 season is injury free. There are very few players, Yankees and Red Sox alike that have earned my lifetime respect. Mariano is one of them.
He defines what it means to be a player. He is the role model we want for our kids.
I cant think of a better player to represent baseball in my generation. I salute you sir.””
“As a Red Sox fan, the
greatest satisfaction I got was when the Sox actually got to Rivera. Not
because I "hated" him, or the Yankees, but because he was just that
great. Class and dignity come to mind first and foremost when I think of Mo, as
well as Jeter. My favorite moment of the Sox winning the 2004 World Series was
'05 Opening Day when Mo received that ovation from the Fenway crowd, and he
smiled that engaging smile, and waved his hat to the crowd. I hate that I
admire a Yankee so much, but there is no other way to feel. Go get 'em Rivera,
except when you play the Sox. Baseball will be lessened when you are gone.”
Here is a wonderful story about Rivera being the last player
to ever don the 42 jersey, retired by MLB in 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson.
Robinson’s widowRachel is especially proud of Rivera:
No comments:
Post a Comment