Sandman's Exit: a Touching Moment in Baseball and Mo's Next Chapter

Aimee Herd : Sep 27, 2013
Lisa Miller – New York magazine

"As long as you cross the [finish] line with the Lord, you're a winner." –Mariano Rivera

On Thursday night, the NY Yankees—players and fans, as well as the thousands watching on TV—said goodbye to their number one closer, Mariano Rivera. His exit came as best friends and fellow teammates, Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter walked out to him on the mound. (Photo: MLB.com)

As the emotional Rivera—who has come to be known as the "greatest closer in the history of Major League Baseball"—took his final exit as the beloved "Sandman" (because he's famous for "putting the game to bed"), number 42 of the New York Yankees is merely moving on to the next chapter of his inspired life.

While sportswriters and players attempt to attribute Mariano's incredible gift of throwing the "cutter" to athleticism and baseball mechanics, Mo is quick to point to his gift-Giver. (Photo: Martin Schoeller)

"Everything I have and everything I became is because of the strength of the Lord, and through Him I have accomplished everything," Mo told writer Lisa Miller as she interviewed him this past summer for an extensive article in New York magazine.

"Not because of my strength. Only by His love, His mercy, and His strength," Rivera continued, "He could give it to anyone He wants, but you know what? He put it in me. He put it in me, for me to use it. To bring glory, not to Mariano Rivera, but to the Lord."

Rivera doesn't just say the words, however, he actually does walk the walk, and thus he's gained the respect of his peers, fans and aficionados of the game everywhere—as much as with his character as by his talent. (Photo: MLB.com)

The great Yankee closer hasn't always been a winner on the field; a couple games in particular come to mind in '97 and 2001. Former teammate and close friend of Rivera, Jorge Posada commented in Miller's article about how Mo has come to be so good at bouncing back from defeat.

"People have to fail, and through his faith he's able to do that a lot better than most," Posada said.

Said Mariano, "I did my best. My best wasn't enough that day. I looked my boss into his eyes, and I said, 'Boss, I did my best and my best wasn't enough today.' I can sleep comfortable and move forward."

And moving forward is exactly what Rivera is doing now, as he says goodbye to his beloved Bronx Bombers and sets his eyes on his new goal, the church his own wife, Clara is pastoring in New Rochelle, NY; Refugio de Esperanza (Refuge of Hope). (Photo: Martin Schoeller)

Rivera's congregation is a Pentecostal one, formed as a home church waiting for a building. Recently, Mariano was able to purchase and renovate a 106-year-old Presbyterian church building, whose newly installed stained glass windows make it appear like it's "glowing" when the sun hits them, according to Mo.

Lisa Miller does a wonderful job in her article—which is really worth your time to read even if you're not a baseball fan—getting to the meat of Mariano's faith, and asking him the hard questions.

Regarding steroids, Rivera told her, "God has given you everything you need."

When asked about the homosexual lifestyle, Mo told Miller that Men can love each other and lay down their lives for each other without it being a sexual thing. Regarding gay baseball players, he added, "If that's going to make you happy, you be it. I do respect that. But I don't share it. If it's the right thing to do—the Bible doesn't tell me that."

And when Miller inquired of Mo about those in this world who do not have a relationship with Jesus, and if a loving God would condemn them for not believing in Him, he answered her, "Someway, sometime, you've heard about Jesus. Even if you live in China, you would have heard. The Bible says we're all going to be judged. Christ came for the sinners, not for the saved. You don't go to the doctor if you're healthy." (Photo: MLB.com)

Miller asked Rivera about his own conversion.

"The crowd I was hanging with wasn't the right crowd," Mo told her. "…[My cousin Vidal] started talking about Christ and relationship and what He did for us on the Cross, and I said, 'Wow.' I was intrigued. I started reading the Bible and searching and find out who Christ was and is."

Rivera described the moment he asked the Lord into his life, "Lord, here I am, I'm a sinner. I'm a sinner. Guess what. I'm surrendered to You. I don't want to do it no more—whatever I'm doing that doesn't please You, take it away from me. I surrender to You. Come, dwell in me."

Read Lisa Miller's article by Clicking Here.