Will Mariano
Rivera really call it quits after the 2012 baseball season is over?
It’s hard to
imagine anyone walking away still at the top of their game, as Mo clearly is, but
it seems like he is planning to do exactly that at the end of the year. Mo did
not directly say he would retire, but he strongly hinted that the end of his
unmatchable career is close to completion.
After achieving
the all-time saves record last year, Mo has nothing else left to do in
baseball. His status as the greatest reliever in the history of baseball is
completely secure. He has five World Series rings and will hopefully win a
sixth before he calls it quits. Mo could have even decided to join Jorge Posada
in retirement this offseason if he didn’t have another year left on his contract.
But Mo just has too much integrity to leave the New York Yankees in the lurch
like that.
How do you
replace an icon? The Yankees are actually in pretty good shape there. David
Robertson has proven he has the chops to pitch late innings in tight games and
has absolutely no fear of dangerous baseball situations. If Joba Chamberlain
can come back from his arm injury, and all reports are that he is making
excellent progress, then he can serve as Robertson’s back-up and take over the 8th
inning role. In a worst-case scenario, the Yankees also have Rafael Soriano,
who has closer experience, and could try him out in the role.
But I’m not
sure if the Yankees are ready to lose their iconic closer. Even the heir
apparent Robertson is unconvinced, suggesting that Rivera could “Brett Favre us”,
meaning that he could decide not to retire. I would love it if that were true,
but the tone of Mo’s recent comments suggest that as much as he would miss
baseball, he is tired of the grind and of being away from his kids so much.
So of course
he can call it quits. All good things come to an end eventually. At least we
have a chance to say a proper goodbye.
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