Mo's rules for baseball also good for life

So we finally know what makes Mariano Rivera so great, aside from his brilliant cutter. He has a list of rules that he strictly follows to keep himself in great shape for baseball. His rules are not only good for baseball, they're good for life.

Take Rule #1, for example. Get your rest. Mo says eight hours of sleep a night is critical. I couldn't agree more. Anytime I get less than that I feel cranky and tired. I'm always amazed at people who don't need more than four or five hours, wondering how they get through the day without falling over. I much prefer Mo's approach.

Mariano should be a Weight Watchers spokesman. The folks at WW would love Rules #2, 3 and 4, which emphasize eating the right foods, exercising regularly and avoiding the empty calories of alcohol. Is there a better role model for people who want to keep themselves in shape than Mo?

The last few rules really define who Mariano is as a person. He preaches respect and making time for others. And he practices what he preaches, eagerly sharing his knowledge not just with the young pitchers with the New York Yankees, but even opposing stars like Roy "Doc" Halladay. That's a true mark of his greatness, that he doesn't feel the need to guard what makes him special.

Thanks to Keith Allison via Wikipedia for the photo.