Mariano Rivera Flattered By #StartMo All-Star Movement, But Says No Thanks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Word of baseball writer Bill Chuck's campaign to start Mariano Rivera in this year's All-Star Game has traveled all the way to the Bronx.
In fact, the Yankees closer knows all about it. And he says thanks, but no thanks.
"I definitely appreciate all that, but I don't think that would be right because I am not a starter," Rivera told the New York Post. "I'm a reliever. Again, I do appreciate it, but I want to be who I am. I am a reliever. I respect the thought, but that is not what I do. Maybe, I'll get the chance to close."
That's just the thing. Without Marty McFly and Doc Brown's DeLorean, there's no telling whether Rivera will even get that opportunity. If Mo starts, argued Chuck, his "appearance would be insured and celebrated."
It was just one of nine arguments posted to the writer's website, a missive meant to launch the #StartMo movement on Twitter.
And just ponder the possibility of a marquee matchup in Queens between Rivera and Mets phenom Matt Harvey. Talk about All-Star buzz in the Big Apple. Like Chuck said, "Think of the kids."
"I'm talking like I'm there at the All-Star Game already," said Rivera.
He's a shoo-in for the July 16 game at Citi Field. Rivera, 42, is a perfect 16 for 16 in save situations in 2013. Oh yeah, that's coming off a torn ACL.
The Yankees legend plans to retire at season's end, after padding his first-ballot Hall of Fame resume.
"I want to be the guy that leaves the game and people will say, 'You know what, this guy can still do it every day if he wanted to do it,'" Rivera told the Post.
American League manager Jim Leyland will ultimately be responsible for choosing his team's starter.
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