Credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
(New York, NY) – In joining 77 WABC host Sid Rosenberg for an interview on Friday, one of the greatest Yankees of all time was once again in the New York groove – on the day of the home opener in the Bronx.
Rosenberg gave Rivera his flowers and genuflected to the greatness that made “Enter Sandman” one of the most dreaded sounds for opposing offenses – and one of the most beloved tunes for the Yankees faithful.
The interview spanned several different topics and aspects of Rivera’s career. He explained to Rosenberg the magic behind his naturally cutting fastball, a pitch that took the Panama-native’s career to new heights.
After beginning his tenure with the Yankees as a starting pitcher in 1995, Rivera set up for John Wettland and the 1996 World Series winning squad, before then holding down the end of games for 17 seasons.
That’s not to say Rivera has no regrets. Rosenberg asked him about the 2001 World Series, in which the Yankees fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 7 games. Rivera let the lead get away in the 9th inning of that decisive game – and suffered the most noteworthy loss of his career in the process.
Rosenberg – well aware of how the Yankees felt like they were playing for the city in the aftermath of 9-11 – asked Rivera if he’d give up one of his World Series rings to reverse the 2001 result. “Oh definitely. I wouldn’t give one. I would give two,” Rivera responded candidly. “That’s how much we were in tune with the city. And we knew how much Yankees fan wanted that.”
Rivera went on to bring up incumbent Yankees’ shortstop Anthony Volpe – unprompted – and offered the youngster high praise. “Oh my God. I mean from last year to this year. The discipline that he has on the plate.”
And while he refused to go along when Rosenberg suggested Volpe could be the next Jeter – Rivera noted his former shortstop is one of the all-time greats – he loves what he sees so far. “I mean seeing the maturity of this boy. Going from one year to the next.. is amazing. The way that he looked on that series from Houston to Arizona. It was amazing,” Rivera observed.
For his part, Vople is feeling more confident. After going 4-for-4 at the plate on Monday against Arizona, he said “I just feel like I’m setting myself up to cover a lot of different pitches, different speeds, different locations. I can kind of match up. I have confidence that where I’m landing and where I’m getting to is going to help me back up my approach.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone also says “this is a different guy now.” Hitting coach James Rowson maintains Volpe’s at-bats are “just dangerous… They’re tough on opposing pitchers because he’s not giving you anything. He’s forcing you to make pitches for the entire at-bat which is difficult to do.”
Volpe’s “bat path” and plate coverage came into question last year as he posted a 27.8% strikeout rate and a 28.1% whiff rate. The shortstop says work he did during the offseason allows his swing to cover more speeds, locations, and pitch types.
Plus, when one of the greatest Yankees ever – the best closer of all time – sings your praises, then you’re doing something right. Few pitchers have a more specific claim to fame when it comes to evaluating players. Rivera, as we prepare for the solar eclipse, owns a stat line that’s truly out of this world. The all world closer allowed fewer people to score in the postseason (11) than have walked on the moon (12).
