Exit Sandman

Baseball won’t be the same in 2014.

As the 2013 MLB season ends, so ends the legendary career of one of the greatest baseball icons to ever play the game: Mariano Rivera.

When Rivera throws his last pitch, he will leave behind a legacy unparalleled and untarnished. A pitcher who was the greatest closer ever to play in the game of baseball.

In the regular season, there is no other pitcher a manager would want in the 9^th inning. His 652 career saves can attest to that. Those last three outs were his to do what he did best: end the game. Undeniably, he is the most feared and effective postseason reliever. He has saved a jaw-dropping 42 games in the postseason and led the Yankees to numerous Championships and World Series titles.

But his impact goes beyond the stats. When he would come to the mound in the bottom of the 9^th, you knew the game was over. Done. Endgame. It didn’t matter if it was Albert Pujols or Barry Bonds at the plate. He closed games with expertise that was remarkable and truly an art form to watch. Players on opposing teams seemed to simply give up.

Fans never left the stadium because they wanted to see every pitch and his every save. His presence on the field inspired his teammates and fans. Mo captured their hearts with his slow trot to the mound while “Enter Sandman” blared through the stadium speakers. He captivated them with his unhittable cutter. Rivera exuded the simple confidence that the game was already over, the last three outs were just a formality; the last act in the great show that is a baseball game.

It will be a sad day when the Yankees begin their 2014 regular season and the name Mariano Rivera will not be on the scorecard. So, goodbye Mo. Take your exit knowing that the the game of baseball will forever be a little less special.