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Sunday, July 06, 2008

LoHud: Abraham: When all the stars come out, Mariano Rivera deserves honorary start

But, but…can Mariano handle the pressure of NOT having a lead? (toy pinstriped Datsun bullpen car whizzes by)

Here’s an idea that would make the game even more special: Name Mariano Rivera the starting pitcher for the American League.

Yes, we know, Rivera is a closer. But he also has been the best pitcher in the American League for more than a decade now. Here is an opportunity for his greatness to be recognized at his home ballpark in front of a worldwide audience.

...But this goes beyond strategy. For all he has done in baseball, Rivera curiously has been left out at awards time. He has not won the MVP Award or Cy Young Award, and he was the World Series MVP only once in the four times the Yankees have won the title during his tenure. He has won a few of those Rolaids Relief Awards, but nobody gets too excited about that. This could be his last chance to get some real recognition. We’re talking about one of the best players in the history of the game, the best relief pitcher ever. Has any professional athlete ever been better at his job?

Repoz Posted: July 06, 2008 at 11:27 AM | 21 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: history, yankees

Reader Comments and Retorts

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   1. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: July 06, 2008 at 11:42 AM (#2845316)
Only one World Series MVP? What a loser.
   2. Hurdle's Heroes (SuperBaes) Posted: July 06, 2008 at 12:08 PM (#2845318)
He has not won the MVP Award or Cy Young Award

Relievers almost never win either of these. It's becoming less and less likely with the specialization in bullpens.

I honestly feel that 96 was his most impactful season, when he was setting up for Wettland. Apparently, voters agreed; it was the first time he finished in the top 3 of CYA voting. He also got jobbed in 05 when Fat Colon won. I don't understand that one.
   3. Robert S. Posted: July 06, 2008 at 02:38 PM (#2845347)
This is an insult. The way to properly honor the Yankees is remove the "Game" aspect entirely: Gather up all of the True Yankees™ and have them stand on the field and flex for an adoring crowd for three hours. They can use some sort of marionette contraption to animate the dead guys.
   4. aleskel Posted: July 06, 2008 at 02:52 PM (#2845354)
huh, when I first saw that headline I read it as "Mariano Rivera deserves honorary STAT" I thought he was going to propose that a save now be called a "Mo."
   5. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: July 06, 2008 at 03:33 PM (#2845374)
They can use some sort of marionette contraption to animate the dead guys.


Is Roger Maris a True Yankee? Or are fans still pissed that it wasn't Mickey who 61?
   6. Lassus Posted: July 06, 2008 at 03:47 PM (#2845382)
Why would anyone think that Mo deserves a "start" like this is some kind of badge of honor that's been denied him? I somehow doubt Mo himself would even care about doing this. Kind of presumptuous on Abraham's part.
   7. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: July 06, 2008 at 03:51 PM (#2845384)
This could be his last chance to get some real recognition.
Rivera will probably get some real recognition from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
   8. Jeff K. Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:00 PM (#2845390)
Why would anyone think that Mo deserves a "start" like this is some kind of badge of honor that's been denied him?

Because for three days soon, the world will stop revolving around New York 90% of the time, and will go 24/7. Hence, we must do any ridiculous thing imaginable for anyone remotely associated with NYC. Ed Koch will get out of speeding tickets in Dubuque. Donald Trump will find his limo has its own reserved lane. Jeffrey Maier will score with the hottest chick he's ever seen. And the entire cast of NYPD Blue will get double their usual residual checks. The entire karmic force of the Universe will be dedicated to honoring Yankee Stadium (and Yankees) the way it/they deserve.
   9. Howie Menckel Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:01 PM (#2845394)
The other problem is that Rivera starting will just remind people that he's a failed starter.

Maybe the NL starter should be Rick Ankiel?
   10. Darren Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:08 PM (#2845400)
Mariano is chronically underappreciated. If only people could for once, just once, realize that this guy has not only been great in the regular season, but also the postseason! But no, of course not. What's the first thing you hear from baseball fans when Mariano's name is mentioned? 'Oh, he's decent,' or 'Didn't he steal some gloves from the Yankees players?'

What we need is a way to really show these people how great Mariano is. Put it right in their face so they can no longer deny it! Abraham is off to a good start here, but even noting 'all he's done for baseball,' Abraham still fails to give him his proper due. They need to not only give him the start, but... let him pitch the whole game! Can you imagine? As Mariano effortlessly cruised through the NL lineup, the fans would start perking up their ears. 'Wait a minute, who is this guy?' 'This must be why he's been on 8 other All-Star teams.' 'Hey, that thing where he stole the gloves wasn't so bad.'

Now the NL squad will no doubt be full of fearsome hitters that will push Mariano into long counts before meekly giving way with a pop up or strikeout. So he'll be in for a bit of a long day, maybe 150 to 200 pitches. But that he can stand up to such a task will only serve to further show his greatness.
   11. Tom Nawrocki Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:17 PM (#2845410)
What we need is a way to really show these people how great Mariano is. Put it right in their face so they can no longer deny it!

I think they should retire his number. Not just for the Yankees, but throughout all of baseball.

As Mariano effortlessly cruised through the NL lineup, the fans would start perking up their ears.

Let's just hope Tony Womack doesn't make the NL team.
   12. Repoz Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:24 PM (#2845416)
As Mariano effortlessly cruised through the NL lineup

Yea...but then the Yankees will realize that they had wasted his talent in the bullpen!
   13. Jeff K. Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:25 PM (#2845418)
'Didn't he steal some gloves from the Yankees players?'

'Hey, that thing where he stole the gloves wasn't so bad.'


Heh. Well played.
   14. Howie Menckel Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:31 PM (#2845423)
I'm just afraid that Mariano's tomcatting around with Madonna and Scarlett Johanssen might prevent him from receiving this honor...
   15. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: July 06, 2008 at 04:44 PM (#2845435)
I think it would be kind of cool if Rivera started. The AL starter is not expected to go more than two innings anyway, and it's not like some historical great (Cliff Lee, Justin Duscherererer) will be getting deprived of the honor.
   16. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 06, 2008 at 05:15 PM (#2845468)
Appropos of nothing, I wondered what the hell LoHud stood for. I was driving on I-84 near Carmel and got off and stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts there and they had the paper. I guess it stands for Lower Hudson.
   17. Mark Donelson Posted: July 06, 2008 at 05:22 PM (#2845473)
I guess it stands for Lower Hudson.

You are correct, sir.
   18. AJM Posted: July 06, 2008 at 05:28 PM (#2845480)
If it happens I hope it goes as well as his last start.
   19. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 06, 2008 at 05:37 PM (#2845483)
I like how the craptacular suburban papers in the New York area are big sources of news just because there's so much stuff going on in the New York area. The Bergen Record, for example.

On the other hand, I guess the Pittsburgh equivalent of the Bergen Record has at least one good writer.
   20. Walt Davis Posted: July 06, 2008 at 06:43 PM (#2845568)
Who does Rivera think he is? Joba?

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