The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the great Yankees closer about his winning legacy, his plans for the rest of his career, his family and more.
Q: How much longer do you want to play?
A: I have a contract for next year and after that I don’t know what’s gonna happen.
Q: You’ll still want to play?
A: I want to be successful, so I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I only can tell you what I know now. I know now I have a contract for next year.
Q: Do you want to retire a Yankee?
A: Definitely.
Q: You want to be one of those players who played for one team his entire career.
A: You got it right.
Q: What’s so great about being a New York Yankee?
A: You’re playing for the best team in history, period.
Q: One more Yankee contract?
A: I don’t say that. . . . I can’t tell you that. I have a contract for one more year and after that, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. . . . I don’t know if they want me after that.
Q: During your last contract negotiations, were you close to leaving the Yankees to play for Joe Torre’s Dodgers?
A: No.
Q: You were confident you and the Yankees would agree on a (three-year, $45 million) contract?
A: Yes.
Q: What would you say to Yankees fans who are dreading the day when the ninth inning belongs to someone else?
A: I know for sure I’m not gonna do that job forever. I know they know.
. . . I don’t even have to worry about that. Players come and go.
Q: What would you want written on your (Monument Park) plaque?
A: I want the legacy I left to impact the new guys. I tried to do my best.
Q: One reason, other than your faith in God, why you have been so successful.
A: First of all, support from my family — from my wife (Ciara), my kids (sons Mariano Jr., Jafet and Jaziel) — they’ve been there for me; and then you have to work hard and take care of yourself.
Q: Do you fear turning 40 in three months?
A: I don’t fear it at all — why should I fear turning 40?
Q: As you’ve gotten older, have you changed your training?
A: Definitely. You get a little older, you train differently. Everything you do, you do more than you did 15 years ago.
Q: The last time you were nervous on the mound?
A: I’ve never been nervous on the mound. Once that door opens, I’m not nervous.
Q: Why do you think that is?
A: I think it’s a blessing that I can control that.
Q: The last time you were nervous away from the mound?
A: That’s not for you to know.
Q: Funniest thing that happened at this week’s kangaroo court.
A: I can’t tell you that . . . that’s not for you to know.
Q: How important is the kangaroo court?
A: It pulls us together, gets us together.
Q: What has impressed you about Phil Hughes?
A: He has been pitching differently this season. He’s attacking hitters and has been throwing strikes consistently.
Q: Is he mentally tough enough to close?
A: I think so. Why not? He has all the tools and the makeup to be a closer.
Q: Compare Mark Teixeira and Tino Martinez.
A: They are both great people to be around. Both are demanding of themselves and both are gamers. They give their best for the good of the team.
Q: One pitch you would like to have back?
A: I’m comfortable with what I have.
Q: No regrets?
A: No regrets, no.
Q: Are you recognized in New York?
A: What do you think? I’m gonna let you answer that question.
Q: I would guess yes.
A: Exactly.
Q: How do you feel about being recognized?
A: I have no problem with that. It doesn’t bother me.
Q: Favorite New York City things?
A: Shopping . . . eating . . . Broadway shows.
Q: Favorite restaurant?
A: Mo’s New York Grill in New Rochelle.
Q: Best item at your restaurant?
A: The Panamanian Special (marinated skirt steak with mashed yucca, tomato salsa and sweet plaintains).
Q: You’ve singled out David Cone as someone you learned from when he was a Yankee.
A: The aggressiveness . . . how, when he doesn’t have his best stuff, he still fights and finds a way to get it done.
Q: The difference between Joe Torre and Joe Girardi?
A: The only difference is one is older than the other one. One has more experience than the other one.
Q: Has Girardi changed this season?
A: His personality hasn’t changed at all.
Q: Does Derek Jeter remind you of you in any way?
A: We grew up in the same environment . . . same attitude and motivation, and that’s winning.
Q: Does Alex Rodriguez seem more comfortable to you this year?
A: Yes he does.
Q: Mariano Jr.?
A: He loves baseball.
Q: He’s a pitcher and outfielder for the Iona Prep junior varsity — have you shown him the cutter?
A: (Matter of factly) What kind of question is that? We don’t show those things (to 16-year-olds).
Q: Your middle son, Jafet?
A: His main thing is soccer.
Q: Your baby son, Jaziel?
A: He likes contact sports.
Q: What kind of book do you plan to write one day?
A: What I have experienced in baseball my whole career.
