[skinndogNN]

Overrated

...I’m kidding : )

[billyboy15]

No doubt this guy is one of the all time greats. A credit to the sport and not one word of controversy ever in all his almost 20 yrs in the game.

[PGalt]

Definitely one of the all-time greats. Congratulations to Mariano Rivera!

[Dilbert San Diego]

I heard somebody say he became a relief pitcher because he couldn’t make it as a starter, early in his career. And as fate would have it, being a relief pitcher was the role he then excelled at.

Is that true?

Whatever the case, he became one of the greatest relief pitchers of all time. When his manager gave him the ball, he got the job done.

He helped redefine the 9th inning reliever or “closer” role, from what I hear.

[C19fan]

Probably could build a house with the wood from the bats Rivera broke with his cut fastball.

[C210N]

There was a write-up on Mariano a few days ago on MLB.com that had some "entertainment" value - by ARodriguez no less. I didn't know the guy could construct a sentence... but in this he does, and it has some good, interesting and self-deprecating points.

Mo wasn't afraid to chew out 'somebody who needed it. Like me': A-Rod on Mariano Rivera

[JBW1949]

Sounds like a whole lot of pro athletes could take a few lessons from him...

[Rummyfan]

However you feel about relief pitchers or closers and their place in the game, which has evolved dramatically over the past forty years and continues to do so, Mariano Rivera was just about the best ever for the longest time.