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SPORTS Saturday 2 February 2019
Mariano Rivera awed by his first Hall of Fame visit

By JOHN KEKIS traded, Rivera emerged in
AP Sports Writer 1996 under first-year man-
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) ager Joe Torre as one of
— Mariano Rivera stopped the game's best relievers.
at the entrance to the "There were a line of men
Plaque Gallery inside the that saw abilities in me
Baseball Hall of Fame and in different areas," Rivera
just gazed at the walls, said. "I wanted to start, yes,
awestruck by the moment. but I wasn't attached to it. I
He was a long way from just wanted to be happy to
Puerto Caimito, Panama. play the game of baseball.
"I can't comprehend it. It's Smarter people than me
just amazing. Too much," put me in a position where I
Rivera said Friday as he would shine."
soaked in his first visit to the One pitch rendered Rive-
Hall of Fame. "It's quite a ra almost unhittable — his
journey from a fishing vil- nasty, bat-shattering cut
lage to a place where the fastball, which he discov-
best of the best is. ered in 1997. Part of a core
"For a man who loves the with shortstop Derek Jeter,
game of baseball, what all left-hander Andy Pettitte
these men did and passed and catcher Jorge Posa-
it on to us, there couldn't da, Rivera helped lead the
be a better day." Yankees to five World Series
Rivera's appearance with titles from 1996-09. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mariano Rivera reacts after signing the backer board where his
plaque will hang while visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Friday, Feb. 1,
his wife, Clara, on a sun- Rivera saved his best for 2019, in Cooperstown, N.Y. The former New York Yankees closer will be inducted on July 21.
ny, frigid morning in up- the postseason, saving 42 Associated Press
state New York came less games with a 0.70 ERA and
than two weeks after he 11 earned runs allowed zona Diamondbacks. Rive- day in and day out, year "I was so happy and so glad
became the first unani- over 16 seasons, including ra gave up the Series-win- in and year out, for 19 sea- when major league base-
mous selection for the Hall 11 saves in the World Series. ning hit to Luis Gonzalez, a sons, that was amazing," Ri- ball retired that number,"
of Fame . The former New Rivera retired after the 2013 bloop single with the bases vera said. "It was a privilege Rivera said. "Me being the
York Yankees star relief season as MLB's saves lead- loaded in the bottom of to do that." last player using his num-
pitcher received all 425 er with 652 and will join Rod the ninth. During his tour, Rivera ber, representing the lega-
votes in balloting by the Carew as the only natives That's just part of the lega- stopped to gaze at sev- cy of Jackie Robinson, was
Baseball Writers' Associa- of Panama elected to the cy. eral plaques — Carew, magnificent. I was blessed
tion of America. Hall of Fame, and just the "If I have to do it again, I Jackie Robinson, Roberto with that, being able to
Edgar Martinez, Mike Mus- eighth relief pitcher. don't regret any moment Clemente, Hoyt Wilhelm represent him with dignity."
sina and the late Roy Hal- "He put us on the map the of my career," Rivera said. (his first pitching coach in There was one moment Ri-
laday also were selected way he played the game, "No regrets. I always give the Gulf Coast League), vera had to fight his emo-
by the writers, while Harold the way he went about my best and sometimes Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, tions — when he contem-
Baines and Lee Smith were the game," Rivera said of the other team is better Joe Torre, and Whitey Ford plated his journey.
picked in December by a Carew. "He represented than you that day. That's among them. "I remember leaving Pan-
veterans committee. All six us in a great way that we baseball. My best wasn't Rivera also was effusive in ama seeing my father and
will be inducted July 21 in can never forget no mat- enough for those games, praise of Robinson, who my mother, my wife, back
Cooperstown. ter what I did. If it wasn't for but I wouldn't change it broke baseball's color bar- then my girlfriend, a cousin,
The son of a fisherman, Ri- him, it would have been because how will you en- rier with the Brooklyn Dodg- not knowing what will hap-
vera signed with the Yan- different. He was a special joy victory when you don't ers in 1947 and wore No. pen, just accepting the
kees in 1990 and took his man." know what it is to be de- 42 during his major league challenge given the op-
87 mph fastball north to There were disappoint- feated? How do you know career. That Rivera was portunity that I had and do
the Gulf Coast League in ments, too, for the hard- what it is to be on top when the last player to wear the my best," he said. "Now, 29
Florida. Five years later, at throwing right-hander you've never been on the number — it was grandfa- years later, we're talking
age 25, he made his major — five blown saves in the bottom?" thered to him when No. 42 about the Hall of Fame?
league debut for the Yan- postseason, the most glar- And his greatest moment? was retired in Robinson's "I don't even think if I could
kees. After serving as a set- ing in Game 7 of the 2001 "Just putting the uniform honor in 1997 — made the write that I could compre-
up man and nearly being World Series against the Ari- (on), those pinstripes on moment more memorable. hend it. q

Backpack, gone: Nationals Park won't allow knapsacks

WASHINGTON (AP) — The will take effect starting this that are within the size re- to obtain a waiver at the said in a statement. "We
Washington Nationals season. quirements for other bags gate before entering Na- understand the implemen-
have banned backpacks All major league ball- will not be permitted. tionals Park, which is about tation of these procedures
from their ballpark, a step parks require fans to pass Exceptions will be made 1½ miles south of the U.S. will take some time for our
farther than other major through metal detectors. for backpack diaper bags Capitol. "We are constant- fans to get used to, but our
league clubs have gone in Most teams have limits on or knapsacks used for ly assessing our procedures organization is dedicated
an era of enhanced secu- bag size but don't restrict a medical reasons or for the in an effort to make our to making Nationals Park
rity at stadiums. particular type of bag. But aid of disabled people. ballpark safer," Scott Fear, the safest environment
The Nationals announced under Washington's new People who bring those the Nationals' president of possible for everyone in
the change on Friday. It policy, even backpacks bags, though, will need public safety and security, attendance."q