Virgil

is the greatest baseball relief pitcher ever. Now mind you, it hurts me to say that. I hate the New York Yankees, and through the past fifteen years where the Yankees have dominated the American League and won five World Series Championships, the primary reason is Mariano Rivera. Sure they have had other flashy superstars. But they would not have been dominant without him. Once the Yankees have a lead, Mariano Rivera, or Mo as he's commonly called, shuts out the light. When he comes in, it's over. He is now the all time leader in saves - 602 in seventeen years. Living in New York City, I've gotten to watch Mo over and over. Sure there is a rare time he blows it, but my God it's rare. He is just a steady machine. In fact for many years I didn't even think he was human. His pitching motion is so controlled it seems robotic. How could someone move the same way over and over while throwing over 90 miles per hour? He is the Babe Ruth of relief pitching. But unlike Ruth, Mo is a humble man. He is the son of a fisherman from Panama. His English, even after seventeen years, is not so comprehensible.

He was signed for $3000 - ha!. Today he makes almost $15 million per year, just from baseball. What I was surprised to find is how religious a man he is. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariano_Rivera), inside his glove is written "Phil. 4:13" ("I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me"). After his record breaking save, he gave an interview to the NY Post's George King (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yanke...aNkYLVw0D0lXDN). Here are some highlights.

New York Post: At what age did you realize you wanted to be a baseball player?

Mariano Rivera: This is a funny thing because I always wanted to be a professional player and play for the New York Yankees but I wasn’t pursuing being a professional. God permitted it to happen. I was 20 years old and pitching and the Yankees came and signed me. Right when I put my feet on the steps at the airport in Tampa, I realized, “You know what, this is for real.” I had never left my country (Panama) before. I said, “You know what. If I am going to be here and leave my country and my family and everybody I left behind, I am going to be the best. That was the day I realized I wanted to give it the best shot that I could.”

NYP: You come to Tampa and had no idea it was going to go this way. Were you homesick?

MR: The first week I was miserable, but everything I do I give my best.

Everything starts with God in my career and it will finish with God.

NYP: How long has God been a big part of your life?

MR: Since I was 20, 21. As an athlete, you know your abilities and I knew my abilities weren’t enough for me to be in the big leagues, never mind what I have accomplished. God took those abilities and made me better.

and

NYP: What do you feel like when you hear Mariano Rivera is the best closer ever, perhaps the best pitcher ever?

MR: I don’t let those things get to my mind. I don’t feel like that. I am not. I am just a guy who is blessed with a tremendous team, a tremendous gift from the Lord and the support of my wife and family.

and

NYP: Did you have doubt that you could close games?

MR: The first month as a closer was hard. I was trying so hard to do the job that it was impossible for me to do it. I remember Joe calling me into his office and he said, “It doesn’t matter what happens, you will be my closer.” I mean you know and I know and everybody knows this, if I didn’t do my job, I wouldn’t be the closer. But I took those words as so encouraging that it was different. I had 43 saves that year.

NYP: You left Panama at 20 and have been in New York a long time. Are you a New Yorker?

MR: I have to be honest, I wouldn’t say I am a New Yorker. I will always be a Panamanian. My roots and my family are in Panama. But I consider myself a New Yorker because New York has given me so many opportunities.

The people have taken me as one of them. I have been blessed that the city of New York has provided so much for (me) but I can’t change my roots.

Here are a couple of nice video clips that scientifically analyze what makes Rivera such a dominant pitcher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH_wEUBWp9k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMVXj...eature=related


Congratulations Mariano. You are the best ever. Though I hate to watch the Yankees win so often, you have entertained me with your virtuosity for seventeen years.