The chess game of Rivera’s retirement decision
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 17, 2012 
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Mariano Rivera had already talked about his one scoreless inning, and he’d moved on to answering questions about Andy Pettitte coming out of retirement. The group interview had lasted a little less than five minutes when, all of a sudden…
“I’ve got a question for you guys,” Rivera said. “It seems to me, it seems like you guys want me to retire. Why is that?”
Not many players would welcome that sort of discussion with reporters, much less laugh all the way through it, but Rivera likes to have fun with the media. He’s at ease in those situations, and I’ve never met a writer who doesn’t like him. As soon as he sensed the interview drifting toward questions about his own retirement, Rivera decided to turn the tables.
The group assured him that no one wants him to retire, we just want to know whether he’s going to retire. That’s what our readers and listeners want to know, so that’s what we want to know. In this case, expecting and hoping are two different things. He’s teased the issue, and everyone would love a definitive answer.
“What is that game?” Rivera said. “It’s not Monopoly. What is it, chess? The one that goes forever. Is that chess? We are right in there.”
In the chess game of Rivera’s retirement decision, the final move belongs to Rivera himself. He knows that, and it sounds like he’s going to have some fun with it.
“I know that I want to make the right decision,” Rivera said. “That’s what I want to do. When I make the right decision, I don’t want to come back or say, ‘I should have done it’ or ‘I should have stayed.’ I want to be 1,000 percent sure that it’s the right decision. … I’m a thousand percent sure (right now), but I’m telling you, you guys are going to be under the skin, and it ain’t going to be easy like that. I’m going to give you a hard time. Plus, you know I love you guys. You know I respect you guys. And when I’m ready, I’ll let you know.”
Associated Press photo
A living God can do as he pleases.
He is going to wait until the very end of the season before he announces either that he is retiring or playing some more. He wants to see if he stills has the fire in him to go on before saying anything. Right now i would guess that he is leaning for retirement, but who knows what another WS ring would do to that decision?.
Mason Williams will be available for tomorrow night’s game against the Orioles. The game will be broadcast on MLBN, Mlb.com and MASN.
There will be a bunch of young prospects for tomorrow’s night game with Monday being an offday.
The media is making a big deal about how Freddy and Phil were either testy (the former) or distinctly lacking in enthusiasm about Andy’s return. It’s just so “them”. What do they expect Freddy to say? He signed here for 1 year when he could have gotten 2 elsewhere, after which Cashman said he didn’t have to audition for a spot. That turned out to be a complete lie – and now an ex-Yankee, someone he doesn’t know, is returning to a guaranteed spot, making Freddy either a long man or trade bait. If I were him, I’d be annoyed as well. As to Phil, I heard a clip of him on WFAN. He always sounds laid back -he’s not one to be particularly emotional about anything, good or bad. Saying “it is what it is” is accepting reality – nothing wrong with that. Expecting him to not have mixed feelings about it is unrealistic.
I saw some of his performance on tape yesterday – he threw some very good curves.
Yankee retirements seem to be different than most. Noseason long grand tours (except for maybe Clemens). Just a quite conference/announcement, some photos and question and answer sessions and gone until OTD. Only Bernie Williams has skated around the media session.
Hi Betsy,
long time no see!!….good to have you back
I was just offered 4 tix to the Yankees-Orioles game in Sarasota tomorrow night. They are behind home plate and excellent. Cost is face value.
Any LoHudders interested?
Phil were either testy (the former) or distinctly lacking in enthusiasm about Andy’s return. It’s just so “them”
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Except for Hughes stating more than once about how thrilled he was to have Pettitte back. how was that missed? You know everything else about hughes.
Hi Luis
Yes, it’s been a long time – I’ve been busy and baseball hasn’t really been much on my mind. I’ve just been enjoying the fabulous weather. How have you been?
WTH are you talking about? You have a problem with reading comprehension? Same old, same old I see. I make one post defending Freddy and Phil and you go into attack mode. DDYOM.
Betsy,
I’ve been fine, thanks for asking….
GB-
AP is like a walking, talking encyclopedia on how to Pitch to the best competition in baseball.
He is a Mentor.
And a by all accounts a great team mate.
Who the heck wouldn’t want to avail themselves of that knowledge and Pitch along side him ?
The learning opportunity is immense.
“lacking in enthusiasm” is defending? Did he turn you down after stalking him or what? kick your dog? scratch your car?
Did you freaking read my post? NO YOU DID NOT.
Betsy,
I don’t think Garcia or Hughes needed defending here as most of us understand their situation. Good to have you back.
MG March 17th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I was just offered 4 tix to the Yankees-Orioles game in Sarasota tomorrow night. They are behind home plate and excellent. Cost is face value.
Any LoHudders interested?
============================
I would love to go….the thing is that i am like 1400 miles away
……But thanks for offering them 
You are so beyond pathetic and full of hate. I really have to explain to you that I was referring to the media? I don’t care – as the old Burger King commercial said, have it your way. There is no one else on this board that would have read into my comments what you read. It was pretty damn obvious that I was referring to the media – that was sort of the whole point.
MTU March 17th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
GB-
AP is like a walking, talking encyclopedia on how to Pitch to the best competition in baseball.
He is a Mentor.
And a by all accounts a great team mate.
Who the heck wouldn’t want to avail themselves of that knowledge and Pitch along side him ?
The learning opportunity is immense.
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Pettitte is to starters what Rivera is to bullpenners. They have that sort of reverence towards him. even sabathia is thrilled and has kept in touch over the last two years. That says a lot when a retired star has that sort of affect on a top star. I doubt there are many players that hold that sort of status and the yanks have at least 3 of them.
Craw, I”m back for as long as it takes me to skewer this old man. I’ve no interest in posting when every thing I say is going to be fodder for him. I didn’t say anything wrong.
By the way, I read with relish your conversation last night with certain people – good job!
MTU – well going to back to forum civility, best I can say is that not everything works the same for everyone. I’m personally not comfortable with lobs like “imbecile”, “stupid”, “moron” and the like.
They may be very benign to other people, and maybe they are. But this is a place I have come to get some enjoyment, not have to pick through posts in case people are down each other’s throats in a nasty way, with name calling and everything else. The world gives you enough of that without going to you fun place to find the same.
I know enough that people leave forums all the time and the forum still exists. I know also that not everyone can love each other so there is sometimes relief involved with particular people leaving forums. So my talking about leaving certainly isn’t a ploy or an attemp to get attention and have people beg me to stay. I’ve been around these parts to know that if I leave, there will be a contigent that smiles. And that’s okay.
I think most of us can say we’ve formed strong attachments here, I know I have. So that part is the part that would suck. But I feel down more than I feel up coming here. It could be a weakness in me, where others have learned to just look past it.
I’m someone who really does best in an atmosphere of positive interaction. So I do have some thinking to do.
betsy, yes, I read your post. Not a mistake I make very often. I don’t hate you. you’re just not important enough to waste the energy on hating you.
You’re a 45 year old spinster and you call others old?
Trisha,
Are you leaving the forum?…..Please you are needed here
Via Marc Carig, the Yankees have to stay under the $189M luxury tax threshold in both 2014 and 2015 to qualify for the revenue sharing rebates under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Union head Michael Weiner told Carig that he expects the team to do just that, then spend like crazy come 2016.
Right, you read my post and somehow came to the conclusion that I was ripping Freddy and Phil. If anyone is to believe that, you might also try selling them the Brookly Bridge…I don’t care if you hate me or not, that’s for sure, but if you don’t, you spend an awful lot of time proving the opposite. It’s kind of hard to explain how you could rip apart my posts if you haven’t read them.
Anyway, I don’t think the blog needs anymore of this – my post stands as is and anyone who has read it or will read it is free to interpret it anyway they will.
I hope everyone has had a good winter.
First of all, you don’t have my age right and second of all, you are a sexist pig. I guess every woman should have a man or else she’s just not complete. Oh heavens, whatever will I do without a man by my side?
A good word is an easy obligation, but not to speak ill, requires only our silence, which costs us nothing. – John Tilloston, Archbishop of Canterbury
Trisha,
You’re leaving? I hope it’s not on my account as I’m going to leave this blog once the season begins as I rather spend my time watching baseball going to games and with my DirecTV EI, MLB and MiLB subcriptions than arguing baseball with a bunch of internet strangers on a daily basis.
Craw, now why wouldn’t you want to spend your time arguing with internet strangers? I mistakenly thought maybe I could post just a little bit and it wouldn’t be that bad, but obviously I was wrong. C’est La Vie…….
“Craw, now why wouldn’t you want to spend your time arguing with internet strangers?”
Because I don’t think it’s an enjoyable way to enjoy the season. Once the sesaon begins, this constant Montero/Pineda back and forth is going to make reading this blog unbearable in my opinion. I suspect some participants are going to blow a gasket before we get to the All-star break.
it’s been 4 years since you can on here without complaining about Phil Hughes….the same player you drooled over before that. Then, it was austin Romine. and you call be bitter/ I have nothing to be bitter about, Betsy. just tired of it clogging every subject.
Hey Betsy
Craw, I was kidding – I should have made that clearer. Yes, I know what’s going to happen. We’ll get constant updates on Montero (and because he starts every day and Pineda only once every five days), that will be an endless source of……….something not nice. Pineda can’t win, he just can’t. First the velocity issue – and he’d better not dare have a bad performance or two or three. I suspect some people have already blown their gaskets over the trade.
Hi Odds – how are you?
good to see that Tim Horton has been assigned to a working training roster. Hopefully, he can pitch and stay healthy.
The Montero Pineda thing won’t be bad as long as Pineda performs well.
Maybe some sunshine and fresh air might help some people who spend all day in a cave on their keyboard
I’m fine how are you I hope all is well.
Fine, then let’s avoid talking about Phil.
How’s this? I love Andy, but no, I’m not particularly happy about the move for many reasons.
I couldn’t be better, Odds. I went to London for 10 days and had a fantastic time…….
I don’t think there will be any tolerance for Pineda, unfortunately. He’s only 23 years old – he’s apparently not allowed to have growing pains. So be it. As long as he doesn’t read blogs/message boards, he’ll be fine.
Betsy March 17th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
I couldn’t be better, Odds. I went to London for 10 days and had a fantastic time…….
I don’t think there will be any tolerance for Pineda, unfortunately. He’s only 23 years old – he’s apparently not allowed to have growing pains. So be it. As long as he doesn’t read blogs/message boards, he’ll be fine.
=================================
In all honesty, i don’t think that will be the case……Most, as Yankee fans first will root for Pineda to do well…..Our beef is with someone else
I remember Brandon (“I’m awesome”) left the blog and threw a hissy fit when Austin Jackson was traded away. He would log in and post as “Austin Jackson” and torment SJ44 about his .300 average. As the weeks went by and Jackson’s BA started to come back down to earth, Brandon posted as “Austin Jackson” less and less frequently. I wonder if he ever came back to the blog under another name or if he just stopped being a Yankee fan when the Yankees acquired Curtis Granderson. I wonder if we’ll see similar behavior if Montero starts out hot. It was entertaining to watch it all go down. SJ44 would not give in!!!!
And now he’s WINNING!!!
Sounds like you have been enjoying life and all it has to offer. Good to know all is well. You’ve been missed around here
Red Bull inventor, Chaleo Yoovidhya has died at age 90. They realized something was wrong because he hadn’t moved in 5 minutes.
So be it. As long as he doesn’t read blogs/message boards, he’ll be fine.
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Or change his name to Phil Hughes. Maybe Phil Romine.
Luis, I hope that’s the case, but judging by this board, I’m not sure. I know who your beef is with – Cashman.
Odds, thanks – that’s sweet. Yes, there’s more to life than message boards and arguing with strangers, that’s for sure.
Well, I see that even posting here irregularly is going to be impossible.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter or Passover; enjoy the season!
I disagree. The sole purpose of life on earth is to argue with strangers on message board. It is why Jesus (a different Jesus) died for our sins.
You’re welcome nothing wrong with taking a break sometimes.
Betsy March 17th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Well, I see that even posting here irregularly is going to be impossible
—————–
That shouldn’t be the case.
Bye Betsy,
Hope you stick around, is nice to have you around
“I’m someone who really does best in an atmosphere of positive interaction. So I do have some thinking to do.”
trisha-
in case we never see you again , don’t forget to go to the durham games in pawtucket next month.
their pitching coach should be pretty accessible. don’t forget to say hi to him for me
Trisha-
If it is more of a hassle then it is fun then that’s something to consider.
Try using your ignore button more often or just take a blogcation.
I know you don’t like to back down from a fight but sometimes that’s the best approach.
You have nothing to prove to anyone here. No one does.
Whatever you decide to do I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.
Bret,
What’s the obsession with “winning” on this blog? I come over here from time to time for amusement and news, and an occasional persuasive argument. I think we’re all concerned with “winning” on the field. Offering different ways to accomplish that may be the proper way to discuss the merits. Vituperation, name-calling, expressing a “dug in” attitude over and over again and ad hominem attacks are not proper methods, here or anywhere else. Everything goes quickly to hell in a handbasket, and dialogue is lost. Reason, and civility, make for interesting discussion. Hostility and confrontation do not. End of homily.
How is it that nobody (at least that ive seen) has tied Pettittes decision to Riveras???
I believe Rivera is retiring, pettitte knows it, and came back to be a part of Mo’s final season.
tomingeorgia March 17th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Bret,
What’s the obsession with “winning” on this blog? I come over here from time to time for amusement and news, and an occasional persuasive argument. I think we’re all concerned with “winning” on the field. Offering different ways to accomplish that may be the proper way to discuss the merits. Vituperation, name-calling, expressing a “dug in” attitude over and over again and ad hominem attacks are not proper methods, here or anywhere else. Everything goes quickly to hell in a handbasket, and dialogue is lost. Reason, and civility, make for interesting discussion. Hostility and confrontation do not. End of homily.
======================================
Kudos my friend this is exactly what the blog should be all about.
I can’t believe I just saw the Blue Angels do a show in the middle of a huge wind storm.
Isn’t it dangerous enough doing that sort of thing under normal conditions ?
A friend said that a lot of their maneuvers are run under computer control.
Judging by things around here that almost has to be true.
Even as skilled as those guys are I can’t imagine any other way to have pulled that off.
It gives one even more appreciation for their skill and daring.
I still can’t believe they actually ran the show.
Absolutely amazing. And scary.
Betsy still around?
“Winning” is a Charlie Sheen reference.
“What’s the obsession with “winning” on this blog?”
I agree. More exchanging opinions— less winning arguments would go along way to making this a better place.
Randy
I go to quite a few Bulls games. I didn’t even know Allen was the coach. Go figure.
“You have nothing to prove to anyone here. No one does.”
mtu-
part of the problem trisha has here on the blog is she flat out calls people liars.
she calls me a liar. she calls others similar things.
the thing that’s laughable is that the person she’s calling a liar knows the truth.
trisha is no innocent here.
MTU,
Watching those aerial maneuvers, even in perfect conditions, is thrilling enough. In a wind storm, holy cow! Computers may run the airplanes, but there’s still a guy’s or gal’s hand on the stick telling the computer what to do. Amazing skills, perhaps similar to Montero’s as yet unrealized ones.
Bret,
Charlie Sheen is as pure a loser as I’ve ever seen.
Randy-
I’m not saying she’s an innocent and I’m not takin’ sides.
I’m just saying that she has nothing to prove to anyone nor does anyone else.
This is an Internet blog. A forum for ideas. And hopefully an entertainment medium.
It’s a shame when for whatever reason it turns into some kind of battleground is all.
tar-
just say hi to him and tell him you are friends with randy from cape cod, and i’m sure you’ll get back a humorous response. he’s an easy going guy with people not to mention a hell of a good pitching coach.
Tom-
The wind gusts were over 40 MPH.
And that’s at ground level.
Computer-aided or not those guys have some serious nerve and skill.
I’m surprised it wasn’t cancelled.
Trisha talking about wanting a positive environment is funny to me.
Yesterday she implied that I am without reading comprehension, slow, a nut, tipping the bottle….
This was her reaction to my harsh critique of her baseball views as “arrogant absolutism”.
And she does call people liars…
There are a few posters here who lash out at others personally, unprovoked.
Like the time I described Yu Darvish as “mystery meat”. Patrick’s response was entirely personal and not related to baseball at all. He simply stated “Why you so dumb?” So instead of arguing his case for Darvish and sticking strictly to baseball, he insulted a poster personally.
Some people just can’t separate their emotions from their posting. They can’t talk about baseball without crumbling emotionally.
Tom,
I agree sheen is a loser, but “winning” is still a funny pop culture joke and i’m actually poking fun when i use the phrase.
Bret,
I have had my disagreements with Trisha, but if you treat her respectfully she will answer in kind….I don’t know what did you argue about, but i’m sure that if you keep it respectful so will she.
mtu-
not taking sides is a good strategy sometimes and definitely helps the blog.
i’m just saying that some stuff goes beyond the level that you can take someone seriously.
i’ve seen some people ( not trisha) say gb7 is a fraud and never was in the special forces. that’s just plain insulting. people know who they are. how can someone on a blog tell someone they are not who they are.
in gb7 ‘s case he just laughs at them . h’e not trying to convince anyone of anything, but it’s just a dumb thing to do questioning what a person is or does. it’d be like saying that you don’t really go on hikes. it’s just silly telling someone they don’t do what they know they do.
what it does is make you think that other person is a total moron. no one else may no it , but in that case you do know it.
just saying.
MTU,
What was the Navy doing up there in the high desert anyway?
MTU, Have you ever seen HALO jumps? That’s impressive.
Luis,
Well I admit to being harsh when critiquing a statement she made about baseball but to respond with a slew of personal insults was kind of petty on her part and inappropriate.
Tom-
First Blue Angels show in our area.
It was a paying event.
We have a new Airport and I think this was part of marketing it to the folks in a rather unique way.
Randy-
I understand. I get along with most folks.
I get along with both you and trisha.
I enjoy both of you.
I accept the both of you as you are and find your perspectives interesting and enjoyable.
I have never had a cross word with either of you.
I hope I never do.
randy l. March 17th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
mtu-
not taking sides is a good strategy sometimes and definitely helps the blog.
i’m just saying that some stuff goes beyond the level that you can take someone seriously.
i’ve seen some people ( not trisha) say gb7 is a fraud and never was in the special forces. that’s just plain insulting. people know who they are. how can someone on a blog tell someone they are not who they are.
in gb7 ‘s case he just laughs at them . h’e not trying to convince anyone of anything, but it’s just a dumb thing to do questioning what a person is or does. it’d be like saying that you don’t really go on hikes. it’s just silly telling someone they don’t do what they know they do.
what it does is make you think that other person is a total moron. no one else may no it , but in that case you do know it.
just saying.
randy,
Agreed. But one does not have to take on the “duty” of telling anybody that he or she is a “total moron”. Most everyone knows who they are if they’ve been around here long enough. As you often say, don’t respect to poster, don’t read the post. Easy as water off a duck’s back.
Randy I’ll do that. What a crew he’s had go through Durham over the last few years. Hellickson and Price are a couple that I’ve seen pitch multiple times. He’s done a great job. Montoya seems to have a lot of fun out there as well. He also coaches 3B and he seems to be laughing and joking a lot.
GB-
Nope. Never.
I was plenty impressed with what I saw today. precision flying in a wind storm. Now that’s something.
I’ll have to watch out for those HALO deals.
Do people they have shows of which those are a part, or is that just some sort Military type thing ?
All righty then. Kuroda looked good. He is a professional pitcher. He needs to get the ball down more at times, but his fastball moves a lot and he can throw an assortment for strikes. He will be effective.
Bret The Hitman March 17th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Luis,
Well I admit to being harsh when critiquing a statement she made about baseball but to respond with a slew of personal insults was kind of petty on her part and inappropriate.
=========================
I am not taking sides…….But just try not to be harsh, and you’ll see how everything turns out fine. I know is hard sometimes, i’ve been there myself, but in the end if you restrain yourself you could actually have a very interesting baseball talk without the ugly stuff. JMHO
There is no one else on this board that would have read into my comments what you read.
=========================================
Not even me Betsy?
As for the strife on here, what is done is done. Today is a new day and there is no reason to keep on feuding with someone on the internet. Everybody here has a million things that are more important than bickering with someone on a baseball blog.
It’s just not worth your time or efforts to keep it up. In fact feuding on this blog is a COMPLETE WASTE OF EVERYONE”S TIME. And it certainly is not something any of us ( well most of us ) enjoy. So just drop it and move on. I will now step off my soapbox.
GB Tim Horton is a donut retailer here in Canada:
http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/index.html
GB7,
You ever done HALO? I was asked to train for it, but never did.
GB7, suck it.
GreenBeret7 June 4th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
jeter needs to take gardner into the locker room and beat the crap out of him if he’s going to jerk around on the bases. The players that would bother as much would be Teixeira, Rodriguez and Cano.
GB Tim Horton is a donut retailer here in Canada:
============================
And excellent BLT’s sandwiches
One minute after Betsy appears and Trisha is threatening to leave.
Coincidence?
GB with the TKO.
mac-
I haven’t seen Kuroda before he came to the Yankees.
He looked good to me today too.
MTU, the air shows by the military is just what you said the still of precision flying. not that easy to have a screaming jet flying at 500 MPH and about 30 feet off of the ground. They have to know, not just what they are doing, but exactly what everyone else is doing. timing, gut, all part of it. They have a lot of training accidents and not many walk aways. HALO jumps involves a team of parachutists jumping out of a C-130 or similar troop carrier at 30,000 feet with oxygen masks. Clean shaven face and no Mary Kay or the mask won’t seal. and go screaming towards the ground at about 120-130 MPH and pull the rip cord at around between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. That takes about 2 minutes after jumpoff. do it in pairs or as a team.
GreenBeret7 March 17th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Why pulling the cord so low?…To avoid detection?
GB-
Thanks for explanation. Think I’ll keep my feet right here on terra firma thanks.
I’m assuming you done some of them in your career ?
Part of your training ?
Luis,
Don’t water me down bro
“I am not taking sides.”
But you should take a stand.
Problem is, many of the biggest abusers of all the things being discussed today are blind their their own abusive ways and being reminded by someone they consider themselves in a feud with just emboldens them more.
One of the posters you are clearly most friendly with Luis was a one-man bile-fest for a good 2 hours late last night.
Perhaps if this poster heard it from you, then that would make an impact.
The “I’m not going to name names, but…” approach doesn’t work, because people engaging in the conduct don’t think you’re talking about them.
What this form needs is personal accountability, not broad pep talks.
tomingeorgia March 17th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
GB7,
You ever done HALO? I was asked to train for it, but never did.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Tom,
Like most people, I was on that list for years and when they started bringing in more special teams the list kept growing. By the time I was getting close, age caught up and couldn’t make the cut. would have loved to have done it, though. I checked out the civilian sites but, the cost is unreal. Upwards of $5,000 for the equipment alone. Whenever i can get a good deal though, I still jump….just not as much as I’d like.
New thread ——>
Good news on AJ Burnett. He’s ahead of schedule and has started phase 2 of his rehab program, throwing a bullpen today. Said his vision is unaffected and things are going well.
luis March 17th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
GreenBeret7 March 17th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Why pulling the cord so low?…To avoid detection?
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It’s training for silent and fast insertion into an area unfriendly to troops. Usually, those insertions are night time jumps. In training, you have to hit the target…preferrably on your feet…all of this fully loaded with about 100 pounds of equipment plus weapons, not counting parachute and protective clothing. used to rescue kidnap victims or capture high value targets.
randy
just say hi to him and tell him you are friends with randy from cape cod
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So in other words you want him to lie.
: