Congrats, Mo

Yes, you’re reading that title right. This Mets devotee is saying something nice about a Yankee. Don’t expect it to happen again.

Congratulations to Mariano Rivera on his 500th save. If you’re a real fan of the Mets or the Yankees, pure unadulterated hatred is typically reserved for the other hometown team. Those who claim they “root for both,” or “like one a bit more, but want them both to do well,” are posers.

So, it’s fair to say I’ve hated the Yankees for many, many years. However, to be honest, the teams of the past were somewhat easier to despise than the current roster. In terms of players, it was never hard to click off folks in pinstripes to whom our ire was directed. Clemens. Pauly “cry-after-every-call” O’Neil. Chuck Knoblauch. A-Rod. The list could go on and on. Mariano Rivera has never and will never grace that list of despised Yankees.

Mo has taken the hill year-after-year and just competed — and done so better than virtually any closer in history. At one time, he could blow the ball by you in the mid-90s and make hitters look foolish with the cutter. More recently, as a few MPH have ticked off, Rivera the pitcher is showing why he’s so special. There’s never any theatrics or showing other players up (like our new spastic closer). Nary a bulletin board quote is uttered by #42. He just goes out and gets the job done, typically in dominant fashion.

Well done, Mo. This Mets fan salutes you.