As a Yankee fan, I've had the priviledge of watching Mariano Rivera more than most people. I remember him struggling as a young starter in 1995. While setting up John Wetteland, he anchored a bullpen that allowed me to experience my first Yankee championship as a freshman in college in 1996. Since becoming the closer in 1997, he's been on the mound in both my most charished and painful Yankee memories. He's given up big hits to people like Sandy Alomar Jr., David Ortiz, and Luis Gonzalez to name a few.
Mo has also shut down these same men, along with literally hundreds of others in the same time period. Mariano Rivera runs a close second to Derek Jeter as my favorite Yankee. Metallica's "Enter Sandman" give me goose-bumps everytime I hear it both at the Stadium and in my car. Mo is my guy!
It now pains me to publically admit what I've felt has been coming for two seasons now. Mariano is coming to the end.
The most remarkable thing about Rivera's career, in my opinion, is that he has had all of this success while basically using one pitch, the cutter. When he first came into the league, Yankee fans remember, his style was to "stair-step" the four-seam fastball. Strike one was at the knees. Strike two was at the belt. Strike three was a swing and miss at a letter high fastball. It was about 1998 when the cutter came the pitch du jour, and the rest is history. Now, sadly, Rivera may be as well.
When a pitcher throws one pitch, usually he's bagging groceries at the A&P. However, Rivera was nasty enough to make it happen. Now, the velocity is waning. The desire to prove something is gone. As the Barenaked Ladies sang, "It's all been done".
Now the Yankees have done what they have refused to do in the Steinbrenner era. They've held on too long to a player because of his past accomplishments. Rivera hasn't yet had a season that doesn't meet his standards. This may be the first, and because of that, it may be his last. What a sad thing to say.
Say it isn't so with Mo. He's my hero! I'm with you as him being a favorite for sure. The guy has given me so many memories. Even when people knew what pitches were coming, there was no way to hit the guy. He tossed fire across the plate. If there were only some way he could adjust a little or something, dang. The game wouldn't be the same without him.
You're right Steeler, but with greatness usually comes stuborness and arrogence. I'm not sure Rivera will ever change his style. You know he's never been one to give the opponent much credit when he gets beat.
Laugh it up Q! It's always better to be a Sox fan in April than in October!
If anyone believes that Yankees' sole problem lies with 'The Sandman' then they're sadly mistaken. I can't remember when I've seen a Yankees' team that's been so poorly assembled in terms of its pitching staff. Beyond Pettite , Mussina and Wang. There's not really much that one can attest to, to say that they've got a formidable pitching staff. Even most Yankees' fans won't atteat to this as they'd rather feel that their team will always play a significant part in the postseason.
tophatal .......................
Last edited by tophatal on April 22nd at 10:14 AM.
You're right Top. The Yankees have far too much invested in old, unhealthy pitching, and offense. That's why there have been no rings since 2000. Just like the Paul O'Neill trade marks when the Yankees really turned the corner in the early 90's, the Giambi acquisition will mark the "end of the dynasty" so to speak. That's not necessarily because of those players only, but what those moves represent from a philosophical standpoint.
xea76 ........ Other than Jeter and Posada and I look at this Yankees' roster and all I are a bunch of mercenaries. What they do have coming up the pike by way of their farm system is barely above average. And yet many Yankee fans would have us believe that they'll be real contenders. Looking at that present roster is there anything that'd impress you and lead you to believe that they'll really be around for the postseason ? Unless the Red Sox really implode then I don't have much faith in this present roster. Their only saving grace is that they've got both Jeter, Giambi and A-Rod who'll entertain the Yankee fans in good times as well as bad !
I'm a Delaware native that lived in Arkansas and moved back to DE. I'm basically a NY fan except the Seahawks and Razorbacks. Razorbacks because I lived there and I married a Razorback girl. The Seahawks have just been a childhood addiction. Cool helmets have an amazing impact on a four year old!
Remember that line from gladiator? The one the African gladiator always said to Russell Crowe?
Mariano's time will come: But not yet.
I'll tell you the problem and I've been saying it for years. For a former catcher, Joe Torre has no freaking idea how to handle a pitching staff.
He over taxes his middle relievers to the point of absurdity and has too quick of a hook with his starters. However, with Rivera, he only brings in Mo in save situations. If the team is up 10-2 or down 10-2 Mo never sees the light of day. I don't care who you are. You need to pitch to have effective command. You need to pitch to build up arm strength. Torre has done the team a huge disservice by letting Mo sit in the bullpen for days at a time. Even if it is not a save situation he needs to give Rivera work to stay sharp.
Be patient. The team seems to go through this stuff every year.
Rivjo - You're right. It seems as if Mariano blows a save to the Red Sox in April every year. However, when you consider Rivera's age, which I believe is 38, and just how poor his command is, its not a good sign.
I agree with you about the way Torre uses pitchers. He doesn't have the 1996-1999 bullpen anymore. However, he treats it like it is. Don't get me wrong. I love Joe, but every coach has strengths and weaknesses. This is one of his weaknesses.
Also, Rivera will have 30 saves by the end of the year. If for no other reason, he closes for the Yankees. He will have opportunities. I do predict him to have an ERA over 3.00, which isn't good for a closer. He'll also have 7-10 blown saves, which also isn't good. That's just what I see coming. Having said all of that, the Yanks are still the favorites in the AL East.
He doesn't get too many save oppurtunities. When he does, he doesn't cash 'em in. He's still a top five closer. I do love watchin' the Yankees lose though!
Proud NGS II finalist. My run to the sweet 16 was short but. . . (from the department of redundancy department) sweet.
I love all sports. The Seattle Seahawks are my main passion. I've loved them since I can remember. My teams of choice in other sports are the New York Yankees and Rangers, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. As far as the NBA, I'm just a drifter. However, I do love this game!
