MO, THE GREATEST MLB PLAYER OF THIS GENERATION

It’s no coincidence that my very first “THE NYY Writer” blog originating over a year ago was written about one of my heroes, Mariano Rivera.  Tomorrow, the Yankees are honoring his retirement at Yankees Stadium.  This year, both he and Andy Pettitte have announced their retirement.  While I have also displayed my personal gratitude for what Andy has contributed to the Yankees, my focus of writing today’s blog is to appropriately, once again, write about one of the greatest players of all time and certainly the greatest in this generation of players, Mariano Rivera.

As my first blog stated, Mariano is not only a great baseball player, but has always displayed himself as a true leader and humble human being.  In his final season, he requested for the management team of the Yankees to work together with all scheduled opposing teams and find their most dedicated fans and/or employees, whether or not they're Yankees fans, so that he could offer his own personal time for them in simply discussing baseball and acknowledging their dedication.  An example of one such instance occurred a few months ago when he spent time with the drummer that bangs those (damn) drums for all of Cleveland’s home games.  It’s not surprising to me at all that this great man ensured to carry on such a unique and selfless act.  No one has ever put such a heartwarming idea together for fans; but that is typical of Mariano - he's like none other.

The managers, coaches, and even the players from all 30 teams showed their love and appreciation for Mariano professionally and as a man during this year’s All-Star Game when they set aside “alone” time once Mariano entered onto the field in the 8^th inning.  Jim Leyland classily assured Mariano did indeed make an entrance to that mound as all of the mixed-team fans at Citi Field went wild.  How ironic was it that this humble man ended up stealing all of the attention?  From a professional level, as usual, he just pitched successfully before exiting the mound.  Rightfully, they even issued the MVP of the 2013 All-Star Game to Mariano.

The Yankees are considering a push for “River” Avenue to be renamed “Rivera” Avenue.  I would also root for the Yankees to name the bullpen in Yankees Stadium after Mariano.  It would represent him beyond his eventual dedications in Monument Park at the stadium.  It would also continuously remind all NYY pitchers of the seriousness and success that the Yankees bullpen represents.  Maybe it could even inspire them to strive towards becoming at least half the person Mariano has always been.

So, Mariano, I would like to personally and publically say, “Thank you for everything you’ve done professionally by helping the Yankees achieve 5 World Series Championships, producing the lowest E.R.A. in playoff/World Series history, and saving over 650 games collectively during the regular seasons - just to name a few of your long-list accomplishments.  Also, thanks for inspiring me and others, while demonstrating how each of us should act.  I will miss you as a player next year and for all the years that follow.  Finally, I look forward to all of the honors you will be receiving, especially in 5 years when you receive the most votes in the history of the game prior to your unquestionable induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.”

Best Closer Ever + Class + Consistency + Humbleness = Mariano

2013 YANKEES SEASON - WHO, WHAT, WHERE?

As stated in the beginning of the season, I had concerns over the health, age, and restricted spending of the New York Yankees’ 2013 team.  Unfortunately, all three concerns came to fruition.

Who are these players?  The year began with so many injuries (way more than any other team in the majors) and continued at a ridiculous pace throughout the season.  The 7 main injured players who were also each former All-Stars included Jeter, Teixeira, A-Rod, Granderson, Pineda, Youkilis, and Gardner.  In addition, the disabled list included some mid-level hitters/infielders such as Francisco Cervelli, Jayson Nix, Travis Hafner, and Eduardo Nunez, along with pitchers David Phelps, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Michael Pineda.  Lastly, let’s not forget the very unfamiliar names that were supposed to come to the rescue:  Corban Joseph, Vidal Nuno, Luis Cruz, Zoilo Almonte, and Cesar Cabral.  Who the heck are most of these players, anyway?  Even the mid-level ones are not exactly famous enough to plug in the gaps of the All-Stars this team has been accustomed to for so many years.

What happened to the competition?  The only team in the American League East that has excelled this season has been the Red Sox.  Ever since they got rid of Bobby Valentine last year, they began to improve.  The Blue Jays underperformed (which I thought they would after attaining some of the Marlins’ headaches).  Also underperforming were the Orioles and Rays.  Actually, the Rays were the only so-so team that surprised me as I thought they would have taken the division this year.  No team in the AL East (except the Red Sox) has shown anything worthy over the last few weeks of baseball - with only approximately 7 games left.

Where will they all end up in a week?  Well, what has been obvious for a while is that the Red Sox would make the playoffs and the Blue Jays wouldn’t.  But the wild card races have been a crapshoot.  Even the other divisions in the AL have pitifully fallen apart.  I actually put a fork in the Yankees back in March, with more certainty a few weeks ago.