Mariano Rivera -- One Of A Kind
by Ed Valentine on Jun 24, 2010 9:00 AM EDT
in New York Yankees News
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In the wake of Mariano Rivera's incredible escape from a bases-loaded jam in the 10th inning of Wednesday night's 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, the reminders about his 2001 World Series failure were inevitable.
Rivera, though, was not thinking about 2001. He was thinking about winning the game.
"It’s 2010," Rivera siad. "All I wanted to get was three outs. That definitely wasn’t a factor."
Rivera did what Rivera does best, taking the inning one out at a time. Two pop-ups and a strikeout later, he had earned the win in the Yankees' 6-5 win, sending them into the off-day with a 2 1/2-game lead in the AL East.
"You try to get one at a time. You don’t try to get three outs with one pitch," Rivera said. "You have to be confident that you can make your pitches. Those are the moments where you have to show your character, be patient and make your pitches."
"That’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen," Mark Teixeira said. "That’s what Mo does; he comes in there and if you need to close the door, it doesn’t matter what the situation is, he does it."
Rivera never ceases to amaze. He is unflappable, always supremely confident in his ability, never arrogant and almost always successful. He commands more respect from teammates, and opponents, than probably any player I have seen in my lifetime.
We think we understand the greatness of Rivera when we watch him continue to make major-league hitters look silly 15 years after coming to the big leagues. I don't think we will truly understand it until he is gone, though.
Want more on Rivera? Here is a great tribute to No. 42.
- Joe Torre will be in the opposing dugout Friday when the Yankees meet the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former Yankee manager admits that "it's going to be weird for me." Alex Rodriguez, who did not have the best relationship with Torre, does not want to discuss it, saying simply "I'm not going to get into that." Which, probably, is the right thing for A-Rod to do.
- Did anyone else feel sorry for Arizona pitcher Dontrelle Willis Wednesday night? Willis was a terrific, exuberant pitcher whose smile and enthusiasm were great for baseball when he first came into the league. Watching his seven-walk, 2.1-inning performance Wednesday just made me sad. When I wasn't getting mad about the Yankees' ridiculous base-running, that is.
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Greatest of All Time.
I don’t really think there is a world that defines how good Mo truly is. It’s been a privilege to watch his career, and even better that he does it with the Yanks, a Gentleman and a true professional. And to think his trademark pitch was an accident, they tried to correct.
"He needs to pitch in a higher league, if there is one. Ban him from baseball. He should be illegal."
—Tom Kelly, manager of Minnesota Twins, after his team faced Rivera
Rivera is the best closer in the history of baseball
We Yankees fans take for granted what he does. We always just write off the 9th inning and say, “just get the ball to Mo”. Other teams don’t have that luxury. And the Yanks have had the ability to say and do that every single year since 1997 when he first became the closer. He is so incredibly important to this team. And he continues to show no signs, NO SIGNS of slowing down. If he chooses to keep playing until he thinks he no longer can do the job (I think I’ve heard him say that before on an interview with ESPN), then he can pitch till he’s in his 50s. His control is that amazing. As long as he keeps his control and stays healthy, the guy can defy age all he wants. And I hope he continues to, because the Yankees will have a BIG HOLE to fill when he finally leaves (hopefully like 20 years from now haha).
I’ll be excited when the Yankees face the Dodgers. I wish the Dodgers were coming to Yankee Stadium. I would make sure I go to at least one of the games, because I want to see Joe Torre. Now, I’m sure he probably would get booed if he came back to Yankee Stadium because of the book he wrote, but I would cheer him. Bottom line is, the guy got the Yankees to the playoffs every year, and helped the Yankees win 4 championships. Those teams from 2004-2007 had NO business in the postseason. They were a bunch of guys who cared about money and statistics. Thats all. Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano, Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield. Do you know how hard it must have been to manage that group of guys? But he managed to do it and got them to overachieve, and got them into the playoffs every season. A book describing what people already suspected should not destroy his whole legacy with the fans and the Yankees. I hope his number gets retired one day.
I suspect that you're wrong
We obviously agree Torre should not be booed at Yankee Stadium. However, I would wager that he would not be booed at Yankee Stadium. While I fully realize that sports fans can have a short memory, Yankee fans are usually a cut above the rest. When Matsui visits, we give him the proper respect, as we should. How much more respect would we afford Torre?
The book details (among other things) his battle with Cashman (not a fan favorite) to keep Bernie Williams (a fan favorite), his regard for Jeter and Mo (fan favorites), and the clubhouse’s low opinion of Arod (not a fan favorite until 7 months ago). The book hardly seems a likely cause of fan consternation.
Of course, we won’t find out this year unless the Dodgers get their act together and make a push for the post-season.
I agree
regarding Torre’s book, the only that bothered me is the fact that the conversation in ST,
with Damon and apparently Cashman was PRIVATE, and those details although not harmful should not have been discussed. I have NP with Torre throwing people like
Brown, Wells and R.Johnson under the bus.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
He is the life of the party, even when he doesn't attend.
"It doesn't take more than one person, to talk to a woman.
Stay thirsty my friends."
by Great Gatsby on Jun 24, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't have a problem with it either
however, I think many people do. In a Daily News Poll about Joe Torre, a ton of people think he tainted his legacy in NY. I obviously don’t agree with that, but I think there are people who do.
I honestly hope that he doesn’t get booed when he comes to Yankee Stadium. But I would think it would be like a “Manny Ramirez in Boston Reaction”. Mixed reaction at least.
Is this the poll to which you refer? http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/02/05/2009-02-05_to_sell_his_tellall_book_joe_torre_tells.html
According to that page, 59% of NYDN readers think that Torre’s #6 should be retired. Yes, 41% is a healthy percentage of dissenters. However, the question was weather his number should be retired (the “tarnished” part came from some poorly written poll options). The fact that so many people think it should is an indication that he is still loved in NY. As time goes by, the book will slowly be forgotten but the memories of the rings will not. Just look at Billy Martin, now remembered exclusively for his re-ignition of the Yankee Dynasty in the late 70s (and his many clashes with the management). Can you even name his book written in 1981?
Also, I don’t think that the comparing the fan perception of Ramirez to the fan perception of Torre is fair. Ramirez insulted and hit his teammates, pushed old men, took random days off and lied about them, failed to hustle both on the base path and in the outfield, and committed numerous other acts on unprofessionalism while playing for the Bosox. The fans remember this. The fans also remember Torre as a class act, a constant professional who never once failed to make it to the post-season while wearing pinstripes (and not even since).
I know the differences between Torre and Manny
but I think the main point I’m trying to make between them is exactly the same. Both of them had great success with their teams. Both led their teams to World Championships. And both didn’t exactly “end” their tenure well. Torre with that awful 15 minute interview with George Steinbrenner and his book, or Manny, faking an injury and refusing to play, and demanding to be traded.
I know that Torre has plenty of class and Manny has none at all. I was just comparing the main point. I think it’ll be mixed. That isn’t exactly the poll I was referring to (there was another one that said something like, “what is your perception of Torre now”, and 4 choices as an answer), but still, in that one, 41 percent believe he’s tainted his legacy. I do believe that that number will decrease over time. I was saying that if he returned to Yankee Stadium right now, he would get a mixed reaction. But if he came back 10 years from now (if he hasn’t retired yet), then I definitely believe he will hear more cheers.
I hope his number will be retired but I don’t think the fans have much of a say in that. He has the numbers to have his #6 retired. He has the championships, and the legacy in NY. Whether or not his number gets retired will depend on his relationship with the Yankees organization and front office. They make that choice, and if they have any grudge against him or are upset with him because of that book, then he’ll be waiting a long time to have his number retired.
Yes
Number 1, with Peter Golenbock.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
He is the life of the party, even when he doesn't attend.
"It doesn't take more than one person, to talk to a woman.
Stay thirsty my friends."
by Great Gatsby on Jun 26, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Phew!
I wasn’t sure Mo could escape last night, but he is the man! Yeah, I feel a bit for Willis,
I said when Arizona picked him up, needs time in the minors, work on his mechanics, maybe his head, etc…He most definitely shouldn’t be in the majors right now.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
He is the life of the party, even when he doesn't attend.
"It doesn't take more than one person, to talk to a woman.
Stay thirsty my friends."
How long ago was it that people thought he was done and the Yanks are in trouble?
…not that long ago.
Guy is still amazing. He’ll have his annual May bad game…but other then that, MO is still MO. And that’s the best closer in baseball.
KEEP LEE!!!
Harumph. One more aging pitcher whom Cervelli has made look good.
And I didn’t feel bad for Dontrelle Willis unti the game was actually over. And then I did.
Remind me again who this Joe Torre person is.
by designatedquitter on Jun 24, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions
Mo is the greatest
And when the discussion comes up about who the greatest closer of all time is, Trevor Hoffman comes up because he has more saves. And the case for Mo is made “yeah but Mo did it in NY and in the AL East and in the post season.” And yes, that DOES make him the best ever.
I bring this up because I think those same criteria are what should put HOF voters over the edge on Andy Pettitte. He may or may not pitch until 300 wins. But he will have dominated the AL in winning percentage for the 90’s, sealed more post season series than anyone ever, gotten more post season wins than anyone, and picked off more guys than anyone. “And he did it in NY and in the AL East and in the post season.”
We don't play for the wild card around here kid
Trevor Hoffman can lick the dirt off Rivera's cleats
In Jeter, We trust.
by Chris McKeown on Jun 24, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Trevor Hoffman is the ultimate compiler. That guy has never saved a big game and should in no way be considered a HOFer
DB
by DukBudr on Jun 24, 2010 5:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hoffman is a hall of famer...
However, Mariano Rivera is by far superior.
In Jeter, We trust.
by Chris McKeown on Jun 24, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Hoffman is a hall of famer...
However, Mariano Rivera is by far superior.
In Jeter, We trust.
by Chris McKeown on Jun 24, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoops didn't mean to post that
In Jeter, We trust.
by Chris McKeown on Jun 24, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
It can't be stressed enough how incredible the man is.
On paper when he matches up with ANYONE, he has the edge. Regardless of the situation, he rises to the occassion ALL the time and nearly always gets through the inning when he needs to. The fact that we’re stunned when he blows a lead should say enough. Other teams have closers that blow games weekly. Mariano Rivera is one of the best baseball players who has ever lived and there will never be another. Watch him as much as you can before he’s gone… do not take him for granted.
He’s the most professional player I’ve ever seen, the most confident player I’ve ever seen, and truly “one of a kind” player. He’s a living legend and no other human on the planet could have escaped that jam last night that he was in. He’s done it before and saves games time after time with little to no distractions.
Mariano Rivera is a God.
In Jeter, We trust.
I'm not sure he didn't load the bases on purpose last night
Just to show he could pitch out of a jam in Arizona.
by long time listener on Jun 24, 2010 2:27 PM EDT reply actions
The genious of Mo
The sheer brilliance of Mariano Rivera was on display last night. It wasn’t so much that he pitched two innings, or got the win, or pitched out of a bases-loaded jam — although that was part of it. Faced with the same situation ten years ago, Mo would have probably struck out the first two and got the third to break his bat on a weak two hopper to second. But that would have been ten years ago.
The 2010 version of Mo — the one wrapped tightly in a 40 year old body doesn’t have that “I can strike you out anytime I want pitch.” Oh, he can still get it by hitters, but not at will … not anymore. So instead of striking out the hitters he induces them to pop up feebily — ensuring the runners don’t advance.
Given the recent performances of AJ Burnett and Dontrelle Willis, it is indeed refreshing to watch a true master — someone who can actually locate the ball and get big-league hitters out without the 94-96 mph fastball.
"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will
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