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Mariano Rivera News & Rumors

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera making progress after throat surgery
January 8
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Soon after doctors discovered that polyps had grown on Mariano Rivera's vocal cords, they assured the Yankees closer that they were almost certainly benign. Yet, Rivera admitted that true relief came only after tests confirmed that the polyps were non-cancerous. "I was worried about something else, even though the doctor says it doesn't look like it," Rivera said this morning, in his first public comments since undergoing throat surgery on Dec. 2. "But I had peace when the results came and everything was negative. Thank God, everything's good. I'm just trying to get ready for spring training." In six weeks, pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, and the 42-year-old Rivera intends to be"
Cashman says Bombers' closer is 'fine' after vocal cords surgery
December 9
New York Post
 
"Speaking for the first time about Mariano Rivera's vocal cords problem, general manager Brian Cashman gave a positive account of the Yankees' closer recent surgery. "I have been told everything is fine,'' Cashman said of the all-time saves leader. Rivera had polyps removed from the vocal cords last week and the tissue was sent for a biopsy."
Hoops icon Vitale voices some support for Rivera
December 4
New York Post
 
"When Dick Vitale heard prior to Thanksgiving that Mariano Rivera was headed for vocal cord surgery, he attempted to reach out to baseball's all-time closer. Having undergone surgery on his vocal cord in 2007, the college basketball television announcer and Yankees fan wanted to recommend the doctor that operated on him. "I had Dr. Steven Zeitels in Boston,'' Vitale told The Post. "He did mine, Steven Tyler, Adele and James Taylor. He is the Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter of his profession.'' Rivera, who was operated on Friday in New York, and Vitale had different deals, but Vitale offered post-surgery advice for Rivera."
Mo comes through surgery OK
December 3
New York Post
 
"According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera came through vocal cord surgery yesterday morning in good shape. Rivera, 41, had polyps removed from his vocal cords at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. It's not known if the polyps were sent for a biopsy, but that is considered a likely step."
Mariano Rivera confident vocal cord surgery will go well
December 2
New York Post
 
"Mariano Rivera has been told this morning's surgery to take polyps off his vocal cords isn't serious because the initial diagnosis looks good based on the location and texture. Nevertheless, it's surgery and when the polyps are taken out they will likely be sent for a biopsy. "They have to cut some polyps off the vocal cords,'' Rivera said yesterday at a Salvation Army event in which the all-time MLB save leader was honored in Midtown Manhattan. "We decided to do it as soon as possible.'' Rivera's voice has been reduced to a raspy whisper for a little more than a month because of the polyps."
Yankees closer Rivera to have surgery on vocal cords tomorrow
December 1
New York Post
 
"Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will have surgery tomorrow morning to repair his increasingly raspy voice. "They have to cut some polyps off the vocal cords," Rivera said yesterday at a Salvation Army banquet, where he received the organization's Pinnacle of Achievement award. "We decided to do it as soon as possible.""
Another honor for Mo
December 1
New York Post
 
"Mariano Rivera will be honored in Manhattan today by the Salvation Army and receive the organization's highest honor, the Pinnacle of Achievement award. However, how much talking baseball's all-time save leader will do isn't known. Rivera is expected to do some talking, but as of yesterday the event organizers weren't sure how long the 41-year-old Yankee closer would be able to speak."
All quiet on Mo voice surgery
November 29
New York Post
 
"The mystery surrounding Mariano Rivera's vocal cords deepened yesterday. Last week, Rivera said he had a doctor's appointment slated for yesterday to see if surgery on the vocal cords was required. He has been unable to talk above a raspy whisper for a month. Citing the Health Insurance Portability and Acountability Act because it is a non-baseball injury, the Yankees refused to acknowledge the all-time saves leader even visited a doctor. The only way the Yankees can legally talk about Rivera's condition is for Rivera to give them permission. As of last night he had not done that."
Mariano Rivera says he might need vocal cord surgery, giving Yankees offseason jolt
November 23
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees' quiet offseason got what they hope is only a minor jolt Tuesday when closer Mariano Rivera revealed that he might need surgery on his vocal cords. Rivera, who spoke barely above a whisper at a charity event, said they've been bothering him for about a month. "Every time I talk, it gets worse and worse," the Yankee closer said while hosting 42 children and their families for a Thanksgiving meal at his New Rochelle restaurant, 42 Clubhouse Grill. "I thought it was a little simple thing and I went to the doctor and she said they might have to do something. I think they have to scrape them.""
Mariano Rivera says '12 may be end, faces vocal cord surgery
November 23
New York Post
 
"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"
Mo saves decision on future for later
October 11
New York Post
 
"Brian Cashman wants to return to the Yankees, a team that would like the general manager back. So there is a strong chance the sides reach a deal soon. As for Mariano Rivera's long-term future, the all-time saves leader didn't commit to anything yesterday. A somber Rivera drove out of Yankee Stadium in the middle of the afternoon and said the sting of losing the ALDS to the Tigers remained. What he didn't address was if 2012 will be the final year of his Hall of Fame career. "I will let you know," Rivera told The Post before making a left turn onto River Avenue. Late last month Rivera said he might know by spring training if next year will be his final season. He will be 42 late next"
Every Yankees pitcher, from CC Sabathia to Rivera, maybe even A.J, ready for Game 5
October 6
New York Daily News
 
"It will be all hands on deck, or to be more accurate, a call to arms for the Yankees Thursday night in their win-or-go-home Game 5 of the American League division series as Joe Girardi proclaimed every pitcher, with the possible exception of A.J. Burnett, could be called upon Thursday night. And while Yankees fans may have not seen the last of CC Sabathia this series, the same can't be said of Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who Detroit manager Jim Leyland said will definitely not see action Thursday night. "Have your spikes on and be ready to go," Girardi said of his pitching mind-set for Game 5. "That's the bottom line.""
Mariano Rivera souvenirs flood the market after Yankees closer sets all-time saves record
September 21
New York Daily News
 
"Mariano Rivera's record-breaking save led hordes of fans to hurl money at souvenirs Tuesday and had memorabilia hawkers hoping to close pump their coffers full with cash. "I'm a quintessential New Yorker. I've got to buy a shirt today," said Ernest Heron, 50, of Westchester as he perused the shelves at Modell's "You keep it for posterity." Steiner Sports had a whole line ready to go to mark the occasion, with a logo of the Yankee pitcher and the words "all-time leader 602 saves." For $60, they offered a tasteful plaque with Rivera's photo and a smidge of "authenticated game used" dirt from Yankee Stadium. Modell's flooded its shelves with Mo-themed gear - including shirts reading "Mo knows"
Yankees' Mariano Rivera is modest after breaking all-time saves mark
September 20
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"In Puerto Caimito, where the Pacific Ocean washes up on the western coast of Panama, it is understood among all the fishermen that the best time to catch sardines is in the morning. Which is why Mariano Rivera Sr., the captain of his own fishing boat, made it his mission years ago to teach his son patience, restraint and discipline. Be up at 2 a.m., ready for work at 3 a.m., back at home by 1 p.m., in bed by 8 p.m; be obedient, always listen, never make him repeat an order more than once — follow the rules, Mariano Sr. taught his son — and good things might happen. "Disciplina," he said today in his native Spanish, over and over again, shortly after watching his son achieve greatness."
Yankees' Mariano Rivera has a legacy that can't be defined by a number
September 20
Newark Star-Ledger
 columnist Dave D'Alessandro
"Sticky stuff, this talk of greatness. Of genius. Of immortality. It's almost sanctimonious. But it's what sport is made of, when sport is more than just a word you use to describe your hobby, when it matters so much that you still search for a living, breathing touchstone to embody why this still matters so much. That's what Mariano Rivera means for many people, whether they root for the Yankees or root for their failure. To suggest that his consistency defines an era is self-evident, and to suggest that he is the best at what he does is just a mathematical equation. It's only a part of what defines him."
Rivera earns record-breaking career save No. 602 as Yankees top Twins, 6-4
September 20
New York Daily News
 
"Mariano Rivera was warming up for his attempt at the all-time saves record Monday when a bizarre cheer caught his ear. When Rivera realized what had caused the applause - Nick Swisher hitting into a double play that ended the eighth inning and ensured he would get a save opportunity - he thought two things: "These fans are crazy," he recalled, smiling. And, he added, "Oh, my God, these fans are into it." Truth be told, so was Rivera. He has never loved the spotlight and, he admitted, was tiring of the attention to his personal pursuit of both Trevor Hoffman and history. He wasn't exactly rooting for a teammate to fail, but, he said, "I'll be honest, I was happy, too. I wanted to pitch.""
History will show Mariano was a cutter above
September 20
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"He broke a bat. Of course, he did. Mariano Rivera has to hold the record for that, as well, turning ash and maple into splinters. Chris Parmelee returned to the dugout to fetch a new piece of lumber, and in that time Russell Martin squatted and suggested Rivera return inside with a cutter, just like the 91-mph dart that had blown up the bat to make the count 0-2. But Rivera was on the brink of history for many reasons and one of the most under-appreciated is what a baseball savant he is. This was a 23-year-old rookie in his 11th major-league game, his first at-bat against a legend. Rivera already had sensed the young lefty hitter backing up off the plate, trying to better deal with the"
Teammates, Twins amazed by Rivera
September 20
New York Post
 
"Nick Swisher thought a fan had run on the field. It was the only reason he could think of for why the Yankee Stadium crowd was cheering his inning-ending double play in the eighth. "It took me a second to put it together," Swisher said. "I thought, 'What is going on here?' But then I looked out to the bullpen and figured out what was happening." Swisher's ground ball meant Mariano Rivera had a chance to break Trevor Hoffman's save record, and just minutes after the double play Rivera had No. 602 following a perfect ninth in the Yankees' 6-4 win over the Twins. "It was the greatest double play of my life," Swisher said. And other than the fact that it put Rivera ahead of Hoffman,"
Rivera is No. 1 with save 602
September 20
New York Post
 
"Alone in history. Alone on the mound. After Mariano Rivera became baseball's all-time saves leader with No. 602 yesterday in The Bronx, zipping through three Twins in the Yankees' 6-4 win, teammates Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez convinced the closer not to leave the mound. Rivera stayed put and took a celebratory curtain call as the Yankee Stadium crowd saluted the 41-year-old franchise legend's record-breaking feat. He waved to the fans and tipped his cap in appreciation. "I think it was his moment," Posada said. "So we needed him to stay on the mound and reflect on a great career." Great" does not adequately describe it. Rivera, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, is the most sublime"
Yankees' Mariano Rivera set to break saves record at home
September 19
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Cue up "Enter Sandman." By dropping a 3-0 decision to the Blue Jays Sunday, the Yankees all but guaranteed that Mariano Rivera will set the all-time saves record before his own fans at Yankee Stadium, where his home appearances for years have been heralded by Metallica's famous anthem. Rivera, whose 601 career saves is tied for the all-time lead with Trevor Hoffman, needs just one more to make the record his own. "It's exciting for our fans," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who collected his 3,000th hit before an emotional crowd at Yankee Stadium on July 9, wants Rivera to enjoy setting his all-time mark before the home fans. "For Mo, I'm hoping that he gets"
Over past 40 years, Rivera not only greatest closer, but greatest ... period
September 18
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"This is a tricky argument I am about to try to make — that Mariano Rivera is the best baseball player I have seen. After all, Rivera has managed just over 1,200 innings in his whole career, or fewer than Robinson Cano has — this year. To even do his job, Rivera generally needs his teammates to excel for eight-ninths of a game. Which makes him sound like a field goal kicker, and no one would dare claim Jan Stenerud as the best football player of his lifetime. Plus, there are legitimate questions if the modern closer is even used in a way to maximize his value, or if there is really that much difference between, say, the best closer and the 10th-best closer in any given season. I recognize"
Yankees' Rivera gets 601st save, ties all-time record
September 18
New York Post
 
"After years of scaling the highest peaks and spending very little time in the valleys, Mariano Rivera is one save away from ending the debate about who is the best closer in baseball history. Moments after Rivera recorded the final three outs of a 7-6 Yankees win over the Blue Jays yesterday in front of 39,288 at Rogers Centre that pushed him into a tie with Trevor Hoffman for the top spot on the all-time list with 601, manager Joe Girardi boldly proclaimed the next save will separate his closer. "Six-oh-two is a big one, that's the final stamp on the greatest closer of all time," Girardi said after Rivera helped the Yankees halt a two-game losing streak in a game they trailed 6-1 after"
Handshakes, Not Hugs, as Rivera Ties Saves Mark
September 18
New York Times
 
"Mariano Rivera had long ago passed bullpen luminaries like Lee Smith, John Franco, Billy Wagner and Dennis Eckersley on the career saves list, and had only one man to catch. On Saturday, in the 17th year of a career in which Rivera had already established himself in most eyes as the best closer ever, he finally reached the saves summit. Rivera's chase of Trevor Hoffman ended Saturday when he pitched a perfect ninth inning to lock down the Yankees' 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The save, Rivera's 601st, tied him with Hoffman."
Mariano Rivera ties Trevor Hoffman with career save No. 601 as Yankees rally past Blue Jays, 7-6
September 18
New York Daily News
 
"601 down, one to go. Mariano Rivera tied Trevor Hoffman for baseball's all-time saves lead Saturday, throwing a perfect ninth in the Yankees' 7-6 win over the Blue Jays in front of 39,288 at the Rogers Centre. Save No. 601 was the second of historic significance this week for Rivera, who joined Hoffman as the only members of the 600-save club Tuesday night in Seattle. Rivera's next save will move him ahead of Hoffman for first place on baseball's list, officially establishing the greatest closer in history as the all-time saves king. "You have to hit 601 to get 602," Rivera said. "It's a great number, but the most important thing is that we won the game.""
Yankees' Mariano Rivera may be set up to break save record at Stadium; just like Derek Jeter's 3,000th
September 18
New York Daily News
 
"It is set up now, perhaps anyway, to be another grand Yankee moment in the Bronx. And indeed, in a season in which Derek Jeter enjoyed such a magical day at the Stadium in reaching 3,000 hits, it would be only fitting if Mariano Rivera gets his crowning achievement at home as well. The mere mention of it, moments after he locked down save No. 601 here Saturday to tie Trevor Hoffman's all-time record, brought an unmistakable sparkle to Rivera's eyes. "I would love to set it at home," he said, "but I don't think like that. I have no say about it until I get the opportunity to pitch.""
Mariano Rivera ties Trevor Hoffman with career save No. 601
September 17
New York Daily News
 
"Two down, one to go. Mariano Rivera tied Trevor Hoffman for baseball's all-time saves lead, throwing a scoreless ninth in the Yankees' 7-6 win over the Blue Jays Saturday in front of 39,288 at the Rogers Centre. The save was the second of historic significance this week for Rivera, who joined Hoffman as the only members of the 600-save club on Tuesday night in Seattle. Rivera's next save will move him ahead of Hoffman first place on baseball's list, officially establishing the greatest closer in history as the all-time saves king. "He's into territory now that he's going to be in uncharted waters, easily labeled as the best closer of all time," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said."
Rivera's faith in God shouldn't be ignored as driving force behind his success
September 16
New York Daily News
 columnist Bob Raissman
"Moments after Mariano Rivera notched his 600th save in Seattle, Kimberly Jones held a Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network microphone in front of his face, asking the majestic one to explain the mystery of the cutter. She wanted to know how he and the pitch had been so "dominant and durable" for so many years? "God gave it (the cutter) to me," Rivera said. Jones followed up asking: "When you discovered that cutter by accident way back in 1997 did you have any idea what you and it would become?" Rivera smiled at Jones before setting her straight. "Again, I didn't discover it," he said. "It was given to me by the Lord.""
Yankees' Mariano Rivera is second only to Babe Ruth in franchise history
September 15
Newark Star-Ledger
 columnist Steve Politi
"One loved beer, hot dogs and women. The other is fastidious about diet, exercise and rest. One had a personality as large as his belly. The other is about as demonstrative as a batting-cage pitching machine. Babe Ruth died 21 years before Mariano Rivera was born, so we can only wonder how these two different men would have occupied the same real estate inside the Yankees' clubhouse. Best buddies? Distant teammates? "You know what?" one woman with the bloodlines to speculate on this question, Linda Ruth Tosetti, said over the phone Wednesday. "I bet my grandfather would have gotten along with him just fine. Don't forget, he traveled the world as a baseball ambassador. "And he could"
As Rivera prepares to break all-time saves mark, he still flashes childlike joy
September 15
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Here comes a pebble, or at least what looks like one, traveling on a straight, perfect line from somewhere on the playing field. It's pregame stretch last month at Fenway Park, and the Yankees are spread out in foul ground near the third-base line, grabbing, reaching, twisting their muscles, as they do virtually every day from February to October. Lost in the monotony, bullpen catcher Roman Rodriguez looks out into space as he stands in front of the dugout, waiting for practice to begin. Which is why he doesn't see that the pebble, cutting ever so slightly now, is headed straight for his chest, at a spot beneath the "NY" script logo embroidered on his shirt. Only when it bounces off"
For Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, save No. 600 a team accomplishment
September 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"His teammates waited on the top step of the dugout, and when it was time, they swarmed the pitcher's mound last night to congratulate closer Mariano Rivera. For the 600th time in his career, Rivera was at the center of a line of handshakes, his reward for closing out his team's 3-2 victory over the Mariners. "It was a great moment for my teammates to be there," said Rivera, who maintained his understated style despite the milestone. "They're my family away from my family. It was great seeing them all come to the mound. I've been blessed to have a great bunch of guys as my teammates, supporting me and giving me all the opportunities to be able to pitch.""
Mariano Rivera joins Trevor Hoffman as only pitchers with 600 saves, clinches Yankees' 3-2 win
September 14
New York Daily News
 
"The 600-save club has officially doubled in size. Mariano Rivera joined Trevor Hoffman as the only pitchers in history to record 600 saves, pitching a scoreless ninth Tuesday night to nail down the Yankees' 3-2 win over the Mariners. "It feels great," Rivera said. "It's a great number." The milestone was the first of what should be three in a row for Rivera, who will tie Hoffman for the all-time saves lead with his next one, then claim the record as his own with No. 602. Rivera's family was not in attendance for No. 600, but he plans on having his wife and three sons with him when he breaks Hoffman's record. "They'll be there for the big one, God-willing," Rivera said."
Rivera blows away M's for 600th save
September 14
New York Post
 
"Given a choice between the five World Series rings he owns and breaking Trevor Hoffman's save record in the next few days, Mariano Rivera said it's not much of a choice. "Nothing compares to the World Series," Rivera said after his 600th career save sealed a 3-2 Yankees victory over the Mariners in front of an announced crowd of 18,306 at Safeco Field last night. "I [like] the World Series better." Rivera is one save away from tying Hoffman for the all-time save mark and two from standing alone at the top of the list. Not one to dwell on individual accomplishments, Rivera said 602 will be significant. "Don't get me wrong, [600] is a great number," said Rivera, who watched Russell Martin"
Quietly, Rivera Nears an Underrated Record
September 11
New York Times
 
"With surprisingly little hype and fanfare given the magnitude of the achievement, Mariano Rivera is on the verge of another milestone. After he earns just a few more saves, he will take his place as the career leader in that category, a fitting honor for the man widely considered the greatest closer ever. But as Rivera approaches 600 saves, and the 602nd that will make him the leader, there is little national focus on his accomplishment. The baseball world seems to be taking the event for granted, perhaps because Rivera was long ago crowned the unofficial king of closers."
David Robertson may be key to Bombers' World Series chances, even more than Rivera
September 8
New York Daily News
 columnist John Harper
"The makeup of the starting rotation for the playoffs is going to be the story of September, the intrigue building as the Yankees essentially play for seeding purposes this final month, while still auditioning six starters. And yet whatever that rotation turns out to be - A.J. Burnett didn't really move the needle one way or the other Wednesday - the story of October could well turn out to be the Yankee bullpen. Especially if the Yankees meet the Red Sox in the ALCS; how often have we seen their marathons be decided in the late innings by the pen? So it matters that the Yankees have a 2.99 bullpen ERA, the best in the American League, and it matters that Rafael Soriano has proven to be"
Mo toils hard for 38th save
September 6
New York Post
 
"Mariano Rivera didn't make it look easy -- like he had so many times before -- but he wound up with the save in the Yankees' 11-10 win yesterday over the Orioles. The 41-year-old Rivera gave up a run for the first time in nine outings, managing to strike out J.J. Hardy with runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the ninth to earn his 38th save of the season, the 597th of his career. "My assignment is to win games," he said. "That's what it is. [Yesterday] was one of those games . . . you have to battle, and battle to the end. That's the way it was.""
Rivera's try for saves record worth watching
September 5
Buffalo News
 columnist Mike Harrington
"We've turned the last page on the calendar for this year. September is upon us and don't forget that the major league season ends earlier this year, on Sept. 28, a Wednesday. Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of pennant races this year and that's going to fuel Bud Selig's expand-the-playoffs brigade. The last thing baseball needs is for there to be no suspense right at the time the NFL season is starting. But that's what we have this year. Barring some major collapses, the Yankees and Red Sox are both going to make the postseason. And that takes a good deal off the luster of their meeting in the Bronx on Sept. 23-25. The Indians still have six games left with the Tigers, starting"
Mariano Rivera records save with perfect ninth inning for Yankees against Royals, insists he's fine
August 16
New York Daily News
 
"Yankee fans may have been worried about Mariano Rivera after three rocky outings last week, but the closer wasn't concerned. Rivera calmed any fears Monday night, throwing a perfect ninth inning to earn his 31st save of the season in the Yankees' 7-4 win over the Royals. Asked if the crisis was over, Rivera chuckled. "It's daily routine, guys," Rivera said. "I don't worry about it. I have peace of mind, believe me." Rivera had been frustrated after his last save, having given up a three-run home run to Russell Branyan before closing the win against the Angels last Thursday."
Wily Mo back with a bang
August 14
Boston Herald
 
"Raw power is the ultimate catnip in baseball. It's why Wily Mo Pena will have nine lives in the game. The Mariners yesterday became the fifth baseball team to plunk into the middle of a major league lineup this hulking specimen with hands the size of bear paws, the physique of Lawrence Taylor and the power of Paul Bunyan. As teams like the Reds from 2002-05, the Red Sox in 2006 and '07, the Nationals in 2007-08, and the Diamondbacks this year before releasing him have found out, Pena is the poster child of anybody who loves the home run. "It's silly," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona yesterday. "Wily Mo's power is off the charts." Called up from Triple-A Tacoma, where he was hitting"
Mariano Rivera's problem is the Yankees' closer is always being compared to himself, not his peers
August 14
New York Daily News
 columnist Bill Madden
"Mariano Rivera has a problem. The Yankees' iconic closer is coming off a rough week in which he had an uncharacteristic three straight rocky outings, including that blown save in Boston last Sunday and two games against the Angels where he served up home run balls. But that's not his problem. Rivera has five blown saves this season, which equals his total for last year and is the second-most failures in his career. But that's not his problem, either. Nor was his career-high .242 batting average against after Thursday's game against the Angels in which he was victimized by Russell Branyan's three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning of the Yankees' 6-5 win."
Sabathia, Rivera flops bode poorly for Yankees in playoffs
August 13
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"The Yankees have a pitching formula to win in October and despite all the fears about the back of the rotation, that formula is not built around Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. It is constructed on the great arms of CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera; the Yankees winning when Sabathia starts and Rivera finishes and that combination providing most of the heavy lifting toward 11 postseason victories. So as far as weeks in a season go, there hardly could be one more unsettling than this one for the Yankees. Because this was not about Phil Hughes' lost velocity or A.J. Burnett's untrustworthiness or Rafael Soriano's mindset. The failure this week was about Sabathia starting and Rivera finishing."
Yankees not worried by Mariano Rivera's struggles, neither is he
August 13
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"At this point in his career, Mariano Rivera is always the last one to panic. Even after the week he just had, the Yankees closer stays even keeled. After giving up a run in his third straight outing, following a blown save at Boston on Sunday and allowing a game-winning home run Tuesday, he answered questions with aplomb and a dismissive smile if there was anything to worry about. Despite how he has pitched lately, there is no worry among anyone about the 41-year old Rivera. "I think people, when players are older, are always looking for a sign," said manager Joe Girardi. "And there's too many times that that sign is not there yet but they're looking hard for it." Twice last season"
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will be just fine, manager Joe Girardi, GM Brian Cashman not worried
August 13
New York Daily News
 
"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"
Yankees' Joe Girardi refuses to be upset over CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, A.J. Burnett struggles
August 13
New York Daily News
 
"'Blip' has been the Yankee buzzword for the week and if the Yanks want their October to be anything but a blip on Major League Baseball 's postseason calendar, they'd better hope there are quick answers to the struggles of their two best pitchers. The Rays hammered five solo home runs off CC Sabathia in the Yankees ' 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay Friday night at the Stadium, rocketing Sabathia to the top of the club's "Uh Oh" list alongside Mariano Rivera , the foundering closer. Funny, but a few hours before the first pitch Friday night, there was Brian Cashman on the field, vehemently defending A.J. Burnett , the $82.5 million starter who, the Yankee GM believes, is being judged too"
Mariano Rivera holds on as Yankees top Angels, 6-5
August 12
Bergen Record
 
"For a long while after Thursday afternoon's game, a jovial Mariano Rivera lobbed Whiffle balls to one of Rafael Soriano's sons - a lanky right-handed hitter who delighted in taking hefty hacks against the Yankees' iconic closer. That was part of the fun of the Yankees' annual family picnic at the Stadium. Pinch-hitter Russell Branyan already had taken his best shot at Rivera, launching a three-run homer to draw the Angels within a run in Thursday's ninth inning. Rivera calmly got the final two outs to secure a 6-5 victory, though he hardly was satisfied after a third straight humbling appearance nevertheless resulted in his 30th save of the season. "Lately, I haven't done [my job]," Rivera"
Rivera tagged again, but Yankees hold on to beat Angels
August 12
New York Post
 
"At least this time the Yankees won. After blowing a save to the Red Sox on Sunday and taking the loss Tuesday against the Angels, Mariano Rivera gave a up a three-run home run in the ninth inning yesterday, but still picked up the save as the Yankees beat the Angels, 6-5. Afterwards, Rivera said he wasn't worried, and neither was manager Joe Girardi. The man who hit the home run, Russell Branyan, however, had a different take. "For a three-game stretch, I've never seen him get hit this way," said Branyan, who has been in the majors since 1998. Rivera may not have been worried, but he admitted to being unhappy with his performance -- and he had reason to be. His first pitch was swatted over"
Robinson Cano's grand slam carries Yankees past Angels, 6-5; Mariano Rivera struggles again in 9th
August 12
New York Daily News
 
"Perhaps Robinson Cano should have been credited with the save in Thursday's win instead of Mariano Rivera . Cano's seventh-inning grand slam gave the Yankees a four-run lead, which turned out to be just enough insurance after Rivera served up a three-run homer in the ninth that brought the Angels within a run. Rivera recorded the final two outs for the save in the 6-5 win, but the closer was frustrated after his third straight shaky performance. BOX SCORE: YANKEES 6, ANGELS 5 "I'm not surprised; those things are going to happen," said Rivera, who allowed home runs in consecutive games for just the fourth time in his career. "It depends how you react after those things. Whatever"
Mariano Rivera's three consecutive poor outings must be major cause of concern for New York Yankees
August 12
New York Daily News
 columnist Wayne Coffey
"The Yankees scored six runs on two swings at the Stadium Thursday. They won a series, got a grand slam from the resurgent Robinson Cano and yet one more home run from their noted non-home run hitter, Curtis Granderson. But make no mistake: this 6-5 victory over the Angels was not merely another fun day in the summer sun for a 71-45 team. This was a game that had to leave a ripe residue of concern, if not outright worry, no matter if anybody will admit it. Because for the second straight time, Mariano Rivera came in and gave up a home run. For the third straight time, he came in and looked eminently hittable, even fragile. On Sunday night, he blew a save in Boston. On Tuesday night, he gave"
Rivera implodes again in Yankees loss
August 10
New York Post
 
"The pitch that Mariano Rivera will ride into the Hall of Fame breaks violently into left-handed hitters. Shattered bats fly through the infield and hitters shake their hands as if stung by a family of bees after being victimized by the cut fastball that has been Rivera's calling card forever. And when the cutter doesn't cut? Well, it's rare, but it happened last night when Rivera's signature pitch did not break in on Bobby Abreu's hands and the former Yankee drove a two-run homer into the right-field seats in the ninth inning to lift the Angels to a 6-4 victory over the Yankees in front of 46,466 at the Stadium. "The pitch didn't get there enough," Rivera said of the first homer he has"
A day will come when Mariano Rivera is no longer great
August 10
Newark Star-Ledger
 columnist Jeff Bradley
"There's going to come a day. Seriously, as hard as it is to believe, there's going to come a day when Mariano Rivera is no longer invincible, no longer unhittable, no longer feared by the guys in the other dugout, and no longer the best closer in the game. Is that day coming? This is not meant to be alarmist. Sure, Rivera has not gotten the job done in each of the Yankees' last two games, blowing a save in Boston on Sunday night and absorbing the loss at the Stadium tonight when he surrendered a tie-breaking two-run home run to Bobby Abreu in the ninth inning as the Yanks fell to the Los Angeels Angels, 6-4. But it's not about failing to get the job done in consecutive games. It's about"