"Mariano Rivera is the most celebrated closer of all time. On those rare occasions when he struggles he quickly becomes the most overanalyzed.

Is he hurt? Is his arm angle different? Is this the beginning of the end?

"There's too many scientists in this world," says Joe Girardi .

Perhaps, but those questions are all fair. And while it may be foolish to surmise that Rivera somehow has lost his finishing touch overnight, it's equally nonsensical to believe he'll pitch at a high level forever. Sooner or later his days as a dominator will end, but those who know Rivera best believe his recent struggles are a blip on the radar and nothing more.

"He's superhuman," says GM Brian Cashman . "I'm not worried."

"I think people, when players are older, are always looking for a sign," Girardi said prior to last night's series opener against Tampa Bay at the Stadium. "And there's too many times that that sign is not there yet but they're looking hard for it.

"As I said about Derek (Jeter) when he was going through a little bit of a struggle, I wouldn't bet against him and lo and behold he gets hot and has been playing extremely well.""