Rivera Would Rather Close All-Star Game

Though there has been a campaign to get Mariano Rivera to possibly start this year’s All-Star game as a tribute to the legendary closer for the New York Yankees, Rivera said that he was a closer and did not want to start the All-Star game. He said he appreciated the sentiment, though, calling it a privilege to be considered.

“What I do is close the games,” Rivera told USA Today. “I don’t start the games. It’s a privilege and an honor to be considered like that, but I think the right thing is to do it the way it is — especially when it counts. I don’t want to start the game and give up 10 runs in the first inning. I’d rather pitch in the ninth.”