As many yankee fans were paying their last respects and getting ready to put that final mound of dirt on Mariano Rivera thursday night, I couldn't help but think of the classic song popularized by Frank Sinatra, "My Way" and I knew we hadn't seen the last of the all time saves leader in Major League history. Yankee fans have grown accustom to requiring a lead heading into the 9th inning and from there it was time to rise for "Enter Sandman" and then off to celebrate a Yankee victory while filling up the subway above 161st street.
Before the gruesome ACL tear, most fans viewed Rivera shagging fly balls in the outfield as fun and traditional. Not many gripes arose about the Rivera ritual as this is nothing new. He began taking outfield practice before games since his career began in May of 1995. Rivera has even said that before he retires he would like to play outfield in a Major League game. So why start complaining now?
This tragedy should be looked at as a glass half full approach as Yankee fans now get to glare into the crystal ball of the bullpen. As much as we try to block it out and believe otherwise, Mo will not be around forever (unless you count his future plaque in Monument Park) and eventually another player will have to take the mound as Yankee fans sit and await those final three outs in the 9th inning.
That man is Dave Roberston. Although this is up for debate, Robertson is a good young arm that is ready for the responsibility that comes with closing games in the Bronx time and time again. He is highly tested and highly proven as we've seen his Houdini act coming out of the bullpen and getting strikeouts with runners on base, most notably in the 2009 World Series run. Although Robertson has only been a full time pro for a short time, he's already starting to build his resume.
Robertson was named to his first All Star team last season replacing David Price. Robertson finished last years breakout season with an American League leading 1.08 ERA and finished 2nd in the American League with a 13.5 K/9 ratio. You knew there was going to be a Robertson/Rivera comparison so here it comes. He finished the 2011 season with 100 strikeouts, becoming the first Yankee reliever since Rivera to record 100 strikeouts in a single season. Mo accomplished the feat in 1996, his second pro season. Robertson also mirrored the feat in his second full pro season. Not to mention Robertson led the AL in holds and was named the GIBBY's Setup Man Of The Year for 2011.
Since the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano on January 11th, 2011, i've never felt he was tailor made for the big spotlight of the Bronx as Robertson and Rivera are. Soriano posted his highest ERA (4.12) last season since 2004 when he had a miserable 13.50 ERA with Seattle. He gave up 18 runs in 39 innings which is the third highest of his career. Although Soriano signed here with the intention to one day take over that closer role, he missed a chunk of games with elbow problems last season. He is also five years older than Dave Robertson. Soriano's signing came off of one really good season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 when he led the American League in saves with 45 and struck out three batters on nine pitches, otherwise known as an immaculate inning.
The only time we should be seeing Rafael Soriano replace Mariano Rivera is when Soriano was named to the All Star Game in 2010 in which Rivera bowed out. So now back to the great one. Whoever does close games for the remainder of this season should know its a tryout and that they are simply keeping the throne warm before Rivera takes his rightful place next season. As this post comes to a close, I keep re-reading the lyrics to "My Way" and continue to believe more and more that this song was made with Rivera in mind.
Don't believe me? Tell me "regrets i've had a few, but then again too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption" doesn't resemble his 39 blown saves in 647 opportunities. This final line describes our beloved Rivera to a "T" and when he does finally retire it'll be a sad day in Yankee history, but I can assure you it will not be this year.
"But through it all when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way"
