At the beginning of this season New York Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera announced his retirement at the end of this season. Most people understand why he is doing this but most don’t want him to go because they know there will never be a closer like him. He is one of the most respected players on and off the field for the contribution he gives to the league and to the communities in New York and to his home country of Panama. His legacy is going to be remembered for years for having over 600 saves, a 15 time all-star, and is a 5 time World Series champion, who was also a World Series most valuable player for having the best earn run average, and was the best player during the 1999 World Series. He also has 42 saves in total from the postseason. The great thing about him is he thanks everyone and takes very little credit for the work he does. The reason is because of the appreciation he has for the game, and never takes it for granted for having the chance to play professionally. What is also incredible about his career he was voted as one of the top five postseason players in Major League Baseball history. Hall of Fame starter-turned-closer Dennis Eckersley called him "the best ever, no doubt"; while Trevor Hoffman said he "will go down as the best reliever in the game in history". I found a great quote from a current player on the Texas Rangers his name is Joe Nathan he quoted by saying I look up to how he's handled himself on and off the field... You never see him show up anyone and he respects the game. I've always looked up to him and it's always a compliment to be just mentioned in the same sentence as him."
This past Tuesday was the annual Mid-Summer Classic All Star Game at Citi Field in Flushing Queens, NY. The fans had got to see the players they voted for to be in this special game. There are so many things for the fans to be a part of that you normally wouldn’t be able to get close to. Many Fans enjoy this incredible week because of the events they get to attend for example; Homerun Derby, Celebrity Softball Game, Futures Game, and especially the Fan fest that is held at the Javit Center. The event at the Javit Center is so incredible because they have Hall of Famers or current players come give baseball clinics or have an autograph session. At the game everyone was anticipating Mariano to pitch either in the eighth inning or in the ninth. When he came in the eighth the crowd in attendance along with the players from the American League, and National League came out of both dugouts and applauded him for his contribution to the game and want to show his thanks. The cool thing about it the American League players never came on the field they stayed in the dugout. Mariano rarely shows any emotion but you can see him ready to cry and was taken it all in. At the end of the game he was voted for Most Valuable Player. The reason for this is because of the career he has had as well as he had a perfect inning when he had pitched.
It was an incredible scene to watch just because of the respect people showed to him and how Rivera was in total shock that they did this. For being a fan of the game basically all my life that is a scene I will never forget because it will never be like that again. He has so much respect for the players and the game. What is also incredible is he is the only player left to wear the number 42. The number 42 is retired throughout the whole game. The number is retired throughout the league since 1997. From the research I have done about him I haven’t found anything negative people had said about him all I read is something positive. Everyone needs to cherish these moments left in the season because this type of player will never been seen again. I think a lot of players want to be like him in being a dominant pitcher. He was going to retire last year but he suffered a horrific injury which made it easier for him to understand to not want to go out like that. For being a Yankee fan it is going to hurt me not seeing him pitch anymore. It has been an honor watching him pitch to bring the championships to the team like how he has done. From all the Yankees fans we just want to say thank you Mariano for the career you have had and the great games you have closed out.
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