Wonderful piece on legendary soon-to-retire pitcher Mariano Rivera, from the perspective of those who have faced him down. Great stories. I love Bill Mueller’s one comment (and boy do I remember that hit):
Rivera has appeared in 96 postseason games, and it speaks to his brilliance that we mostly remember those stunning occasions when he didn’t record the final out.
“That’s why you’re talking to me,” Mueller acknowledged. “It is shocking. That’s how dominant he’s been over the years, especially in the playoffs. He’s one of the most special guys in the history of the game.”
I love great pitchers. It seems to me they have the secret to … something. They know stuff we don’t. They see the world in ways we can’t imagine. Even professional baseball players, who are all thoroughbreds in their own given field, seem in awe of Rivera. He’s on another level. Love it.
And the last anecdote brought tears to my eyes.
Great story, says the old baseball pitching coach, and you’d better believe I’ve got Mo on my fantasy baseball team this year, his last.
I’ll miss him being in the game!
Funny story …De Rosa mentioned “Enter Sandman” …a few ago my Mets signed Billy Wagner as a free agent and he also came in from the bullpen to that Metallica song. Some of the local sports radio blowhards tried to make an issue of it…that Wagner was somehow stealing Rivera’s turf. Some one in the media finally asked Rivera about it he said in essence ” I don’t even know who they are …I listen to christian music.”
hahahaha Awesome
The last comment got me a little weepy, myself! I have to confess we are Mets fans, but I am in awe of Rivera. If I’d been there last night, I would have been giving him a standing ovation. A class act, all the way. Thanks for sharing this piece.
I love stories from the inside of major league baseball – especially, for some reason, what it’s like to stare down a pitcher like Rivera. You know you’re in the presence of something greater/meaner than you. But I love how, by all accounts, he’s this sweet humble guy – who’s a MONSTER on the mound. Awesome!