How Do You Put
Greatness Into Words?
Today was a
day that I have been dreading for quite some time. As a Yankee fan, today was
the day that I would have to fully realize that Mariano Rivera will no longer
be around. It’s hard to put into words just how amazing his career has been and
just what it’s like to watch someone who is the absolute greatest at what they
do every single day. Rivera has carried himself with class, dignity, and a
quiet confidence that will go unmatched for the rest of time.
Jorge Posada
has been retired, and come the end of the year it will be Andy Pettitte’s turn
also, meaning only Derek Jeter is left of the core four and a talent nucleus
unlike one the game had ever seen. It’s fitting that the team never won a ring
while Pettitte was gone and won all 5 of the recent championships with the unit
intact. The four of them will be synonymous with each other forever and all won
together, just the way it should be.
Discussing
the ceremony with friends and fellow Yankee fans earlier in the week I had one
request I wanted the team to fulfill. Mariano’s number needed to go out in
Monument Park. Seems easy enough and not much of a stretch for that to happen
but considering Paul O’Neill is still waiting his turn anything is possible
with this organization. However, like I stated before, he was the absolute best
at what he did. If anyone deserved the exception it was him. When the moment
happened I will admit that my eyes welled up with tears because it was an
amazing moment for an amazing player. Rivera is one of the last aspects of
childhood I have left. Almost every player I had grown up loving, that helped
me to realize the beauty of their respective games has long since retired. Only
Rivera and Jeter are left. In no time at all it will just be the Captain
remaining.
In a
highlight montage presented by the Yankees, Rivera stated that the Yankee fans
are the greatest and he will love us always. That was moment number two where
the room got dusty, but the truth is, we as fans love Rivera more than he could
ever love us.
For one
final time I would like to thank Mariano Rivera for everything he has done for
the organization and the fans. Every sacrifice, commitment, and ounce of blood,
sweat, and tears poured into his career. My grandchildren’s grandchildren will
be talking about Mariano Rivera because his legacy and greatness will carry on
through generations. Joe DiMaggio once famously said, “I want to thank the Good
Lord for making me a Yankee.” Well I feel like I speak for all Yankee fans when
I say “We want to thank the Good Lord for making Mariano Rivera a Yankee.”
