Mariano Rivera: A Personal Tribute to the Greatest Closer of All Time
May 4, 2012 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
By now, we are all aware of Mariano Rivera‘s devastating injury.
Many of us are also aware of the fact that his illustrious career may be in jeopardy.
If this is the end of the line for Rivera, it will be an unfortunate close to a career of one of the most dominant pitchers—starter or reliever—of all time.
I remember my first experience watching Rivera in person, and it amazed me how dominant he actually was.
At the time, I was still learning to appreciate the beautiful game of baseball. I really knew nothing about the game, its intricacies or its strategies.
I understood the basics—nine innings, three outs and what it meant to hit one out of the park.
What I did not understand, though, was the idea of a closer.
For some reason, I always thought that there was one pitcher that lasted the entire game. I threw fatigue and ineffectiveness out the window at that young age, as I had yet to watch any sport on a consistent basis to know that those two hindrances existed.
When Rivera entered the game, I was intrigued.
I wondered why there was a new pitcher entering the game but, shortly after he arrived, it clicked.
Rivera proceeded to work a quick ninth inning, preserving the lead and the victory for the Yankees. I knew at that moment what his job was.
He was the closer. He was the guy that the Yankees turned to in clutch situations to get it done.
In the years following, my love for the game started to grow.
I became an avid baseball fan, watching any game that I found on TV. I learned those strategies and intricacies that I had previously been unaware of, and I learned that the Yankees were the best team in baseball.
When I was learning to love baseball, the Yankees were at their height.
The dynasty was taking shape during the late 1990s, and I was lucky enough to bear witness to some of the greatest Yankee teams of all-time.
The driving force behind those teams?
Mariano Rivera.
I learned quickly that Rivera was head and shoulders above the other closers in baseball. Not just because of his skill, but because of his infallible personality and ability to get it done with the team’s fate on the line.
He was never one to show much emotion, but my favorite memory of him will always be his reaction after the Yankees’ AL Championship Series victory in 2003 when Aaron Boone hit one of the most famous homers in Yankee history.
Out of sheer exhaustion and joy, Rivera collapsed on the mound in the largest display of emotion I’ve ever seen from the legendary closer.
If this is really the end, then I have nothing but thanks and praise for the great Mariano Rivera.
He may not be the sole reason for my love of baseball and the Yankees, but he is surely a big part.
Here’s to a quick recovery, Mo. Hopefully, I’ll see you back on the mound at least once more.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
