Let me begin this by saying I am aware the Major League Baseball All-Star game means something in this day and age. The league that wins the game will get home field advantage in the World Series. The All-Star game occurs every year but it is rare that we get to see a once in a generation player leave his sport on top or even on his own terms. Unless you have been living under a rock then you are aware that the 2013 Major League Baseball season will be the last season for Mariano Rivera: the greatest closer in the history of the game.
Mariano Rivera has decided this year will be his last and barring an injury of sorts, he will likely be the closer for the American League when the AL and NL face off at Citi field in July for the All-Star game. Mariano is one of those players that come along once in a life time, the greatness and consistency he has shown over his career is unmatched. From the big game saves to the professionalism off the field that is rare with today's athlete, Mo has deserved the right to close the 2013 MLB All-Star game whether the American League is ahead or behind.
The All-Star game will be held in NY, it will be the last All-Star game for Mo and it will be the perfect ending in a career that is as close to perfect as an athlete can get. Throughout ball parks this season teams will honor Mariano Rivera for everything he has accomplished in his career, he has the most saves in MLB history, he has a 0.70 ERA in the postseason with 42 saves and 21 walks in 141 innings pitched. Mo has dominated Major League Baseball over his 19 year career and he only gets better in the postseason.
To make things more impressive is that Mariano has dominated this game for 19 years with one pitch, the cutter. His cutter is the only pitched he has used and it has had hitters baffled throughout his career. It will be a crime not to get to see the cutter end the 2013 All-Star game in New York City, the place where Mariano made a name for himself, for the city he helped deliver 5 world series rings.
Having Mo close the All-Star game is only fitting, even if the American League is behind. It shows how much Mo has meant to the game and it will show how much respect he has garnered throughout his illustrious career for the New York Yankees. You hear media members talk about him being the classiest guy they ever covered, how no one shows as much humility as he does and you hear about how much respect he has for the reporters. We rarely see a sports icon leave on his own terms, we are witnessing that this year. Mo gets to leave the way he wants and he should be standing on the mound shaking hands at the end of the All-Star game, whether it is for his team or the National League All-Stars, that will be the ultimate sign of respect, the ultimate honor to an icon.
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