1. In today’s Post I wrote this column about the state of Mariano Rivera exactly a year after tearing his right ACL. I spoke to five scouts who had seen Rivera pitch this year to try to get a feel for how much like his established self Rivera is after the injury, surgery, rehab and one more year added to his calendar.
Space limits did not permit to get in all of their thoughts and here is my favorite that did not get in from an AL scout:
“What amazes me is that he wins with one pitch and hitters that have faced him plenty of times before still react as if they had never seen him before or still don’t believe the cutter will cut this time. But it always does, and with his ability to locate it to either edge, at the velocity in his prime, was masterful.
“But what has really amazed me is the success continues despite the drop in velocity, from the mid 90s cutter, to the 89-91-mph version. Just when it seemed that some hitters were getting a better feel for the cutter, Mo made the adjustment, by adding the two-seamer, which had solid sink and bore, moving in the opposite direction of the cutter. This offering, applied with the same precision as the cutter, effectively neutralized the righty hitters’ ability to cover the cutter away. They are less likely to get the barrel to the ball than without this addition to the arsenal.
“This pitch, in addition to the cutter, applied to either edge almost at will, allowed him to still compete at the highest of levels, despite the decrease in pure velocity on the cutter from his prime. His delivery and arm action haven’t changed at all, making it very easy for him to throw the ball where he wants, probably even with his eyes closed.”
2. I was doing some spring cleaning and came across a bunch of old notebooks and found an interview I did with Rivera on Feb. 17, 2006. He was 36, talking retirement and setting 400 saves as an important goal (he was at 379 entering that season).
Of course, he is 43 now. Has announced he is retiring after the 2013 seasons. And his 619 saves are the major-league record.
Some highlights:
On retirement: “I don’t think about it. After the season, I will just sit down and review the whole year and know that I am blessed to be pitching and pitching well.”
On how he views his career: :”I don’t it in perspective. I don’t think about myself like that. I just thank God for everything I have.”
On why he has been able to succeed to this level: “I have nothing spectacular. I have a small frame. I am skinny. That is why I say I do not do this on my own. I’ve been blessed by the Lord.”
On staying at a high level in his mid-30s: “It’s harder. You have to train harder. I’m 36. But I love it. I look at it as a challenge.”
On his goals: “I definitely want 400 saves and I have a chance. All I ask is a chance. I feel great and healthy, and if I feel that way I think everything else will take care of itself.”
One other thing I found interesting and, at least, personality nostalgic about seeing this 7-year-old interview in my notebook – the interview before was with George Steinbrenner, which had become a rarity by the spring of 2006.
3. Rivera, at 43, is the oldest player in the majors. On Twitter, I asked who are the next two oldest active players. They both have ties to New York teams.
The answer is Darren Oliver and Jason Giambi, who are both 42. Oliver played for the Mets in his past and Giambi for the Yankees. Oliver actually started Game 3 of the 1996 Division Series as a Ranger against the Yankees and lost. Derek Jeter had two hits, Joe Girardi none, and Rivera was not used.
I guess the surprise is that Giambi is still playing. He reveled in the party-animal reputation with both Oakland and New York. Longevity did not seem likely for him – not as a player anyway. But he has hit two homers for the Indians this year (431 for his career) and was actually considered in the offseason to be the Rockies next manager. Again, stuff we didn’t exactly see coming.
For those who care, the oldest player in the NL is the Mets’ LaTroy Hawkins, 40.
