What manager in their right mind would want Mariano Rivera to retire?
The answer is none, so that’s why it comes as no surprise that Yankees manager Joe Girardi wants his legendary closer to stay.
“I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t do it next year, I don’t. He’s made it pretty clear that he doesn’t want to [return], but I always say, you know, January rolls around and sometimes you have a different feel about what you want to do.”
“I’m sure I’ll talk to him at some point in the offseason, and … I’ll tell him when the season’s over, ‘Take a month. Take a month and a half, two months, and make sure this is really what you want to do. Because once you do go, it’s hard to come back.'”
As for Rivera he’s still set on retiring, despite his manager’s pleas. But one could also take Rivera’s perspective on the matter, what better time to leave the sport than on top?
At nearly 44 Rivera has an ERA of 2.12 in 51 innings of play, with a 1.14 WHIP. He’s just as deadly as ever, may be hard for Rivera to adjust once retired.
H/T: CBS Sports