"Mariano Rivera, while he waits to find out if he needs a surgical procedure done on his vocal chords, speculated 2012 could be the final year of his Hall of Fame career.

"I don't know what will happen,'' said the Yankees closer, who turns 42 Tuesday and has one year and $15 million remaining on his contract. "I have one year left. I might call it over. I will know more in spring training.''

Bothered for a month by a condition that has turned his voice into a raspy whisper, Rivera has been to one doctor and Monday will get a second opinion.

"Every time I talk it gets worse and worse,'' Rivera said yesterday at his New Rochelle restaurant, 42 Clubhouse Grill, where his foundation paired with HOPE Community Services to feed 42 children and their families Thanksgiving turkey meals."