Mariano Rivera’s Vow to Return No Surprise to New York Yankees Fans
May 4, 2012 · Michael Moraitis · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
In about the best news I’ve heard over the span of the past 24 hours, Mariano Rivera has decided that he will indeed come back next season (h/t SI.com) and pitch for the New York Yankees, according to MLB‘s twitter page.
“I’m coming back. Write it down in big letters. I’m not going out like this.” – Mariano Rivera to reporters today.
Can I say I’m surprised? Well, based on the day-long funeral procession we all just felt like we went through, you would think so. But you have to remember who we’re dealing with here.
Rivera is a fierce competitor and while I had my doubts about him coming back from such a devastating injury, I always felt there was no way the greatest reliever in baseball history was going to go out like this.
He has battled some of the best hitters in MLB history and succeeded. Not to mention, Rivera has always thrived in some of the most pressure-packed moments a pitcher can possibly face.
So I found it impossible to believe Mo would allow the warning track at Kauffman Stadium to beat him for the last time in his career.
The ACL tear Rivera suffered will not be easy to come back from, especially for a 42-year-old like Mo. But, if there ever was an athlete over 40 who could come back from such a serious injury, Mo can.
Rivera has always been praised by his teammates and coaches about how great an athlete he is. He not only has the physical make-up to get through this and come back to full strength, but Mo also has the mental make-up as well.
And if you don’t believe that, just look at what he’s done in his career.
I’m not alone when I say, “thank the baseball gods that this wasn’t the last we’ve seen of Mariano Rivera.”
But for now, get better, Mo.
We’ll all be waiting for you, ready to cheer our guts out when you do return.
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