Yankees’ star Mariano Rivera discusses his fastball & his faith at local event

By Michael Randall                                                                                                                                                                    Times Herald-Record
Posted Nov. 26, 2018

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NEW WINDSOR- Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees’ legendary closer, gives much of the credit for his career to God.

And that includes his success with his “cutter” – a cut fastball on which the longtime relief pitcher built his success.

Rivera was the special guest for this year’s annual reception for Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a not-for-profit that aims to enhance the region’s growth through policy, planning, advocacy and research.

During a wide-ranging conversation with Pattern’s president and CEO Jonathan Drapkin at Anthony’s Pier 9 on Monday night, Rivera said he’s often been asked how he had such enduring success with that one ptich, since every hitter knew it was coming.

“Don’t ask me, ask the man above,” Rivera told an audience of hundreds of business and community leaders. “I just threw it. That thing was from heaven.”

Rivera was born and raised in Panama, the son of a fisherman.

He played baseball from age 6, but another sport was first on his list back then. “I loved soccer,’ he said. “That was my game.”

But he did sign with the Yankees, and his career is a lesson in not giving up.

In his first game, the man who became baseball’s best at closing out victories gave up 8 hits and 5 runs in three-and-one-third innings.

He was a starting pitcher at first.  And twice in his early days in big league baseball, he got sent back down to the minors.

“You have to be in the valley to appreciate being on top,” he said. “Everything happened in my career for a reason.”

Rivera also recalled playing in the weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attackes in New York City.

Drpakin mentioned that the team “carried the city for weeks” after that happened.

“The Lord gave us the opportunity…to give New York a time of rejoicing,” Rivera said.

The Yankees reached the World Series that year, and although they did not win, he said, “It was the best World Series ever. We were doing it for New York.”

He also spoke about the honor of being the last active player to wear No. 42, the number worn by Jackie Robinson, who became the first black man to play Major League Baseball, with the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers.

“I took that as a challenge,’ Rivera said. “I wanted to be the best, to carry his legacy.”