Finally getting his call to the DP Page of Fame is the greatest closer of all-time, and yes, my favorite athlete of all-time - Mariano Rivera.
We all choose our favorite athletes and have reasons for them. Mine are very simple. Rivera was dominant, likable, never got in trouble, carried a talent that was indescribable. Also adding to the connection is that Rivera is a man of God, with strong ties to his faith and to humanity. For me, that made his so special in this world of sports.
I always think about the day when I will have to pass on this appreciation for Mo to my future children and the fairy-tale-like description that may sound like I am making things up, the way elder folks are always accused of, or romanticize about.
Rivera was a closer for our New York Yankees (of course, have to raise the kids as Yankees fans), and for much of his career, he threw one-pitch. That one pitch was so strong, so dominant, all the hitters in the league could not hit it, even when they knew it was coming. He threw that one pitch for his entire career, and retired as the best to have ever done it.
Yeah, I know, crazy, huh?
Regardless, after watching David Robertson, Andrew Miller (Who I miss tremendously), and now Aroldis Chapman, that void still remains there.
Mo forever. Always.