Mariano Rivera tore his ACL when he fell while chasing a fly ball during batting practice prior to the Yankees-Royals game on Thursday. When we learned about the severity of the season-ending injury, LBS writer Steve DelVecchio speculated that it could also be career-ending. After all, consider that Rivera, 42, cryptically hinted in February that this would be his last season.
On Friday, Rivera assured everyone this would not be the last we’ve heard from him.
“I’m coming back. Write it down in big letters. I’m not going out like this,” the Yankees closer told reporters.
He then comforted his fans with a tweet:
Thank you fans, friends and family for your prayers, well wishes and support. I will be ok.I will be back.
— Mariano Rivera (@MarianoRivera) May 4, 2012
Rivera is a legend and by far the best closer in baseball history. It would have been a true shame to see such a great career end because of such a fluke accident. Luckily he won’t let it be the last of him.
We highly recommend you watch Rivera’s interview from Thursday (seen below) where he talks about the injury. Rivera was not questioning the injury, saying “It happened for a reason … just have to deal with it.” And as Jimmy Traina pointed out, Mo said he was staying in Kansas City to be with his teammates. He’s a quality guy, that Mariano Rivera.
