Mariano Did NOT Disappoint!"

Unlike the four other living Hall of Fame inductees yesterday, Mariano Rivera did NOT need notes when he spoke. He, being a minister, has MUCH more experience with public speaking than the rest, and that was very obvious.  And so it was clear that his non-scripted words were HEARTFELT, and they are worth exploring in detail, here in my blog.  Now, if you're one of my "older" readers you know that I've written about Mo a FEW times in my blog, in a Gospel tract and in one of the New York newspapers...I've also heard him speak LIVE...and suffice it to say YESTERDAY'S speech at the Hall of Fame was everything I expected from this man.

     * First of all, he started by publicly thanking his "Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  People CHEERED!!

Watching on TV between church services, I cried with joy.

     * Then, he thanked family, friends and fans for THEIR part in his success, introducing his wife and beautiful kids BY NAME (as well as his parents and in-laws.) He apologized to his kids that he had to miss so many of their birthdays....with millions watching on the MLB Network.

     * Also, I was very touched that he honored the great BERNIE WILLIAMS by letting him play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" before his speech!!  (Bernie is an ex-teammate who is ALSO a Christian that we've met personally!!  Bernie has been left out of the "Core Four" AND the Hall of Fame, but Mo brought him in to the event, and it was amazing to see him play his guitar for Mo.)

     * Mariano graciously did NOT mention that he's the only player to reach the Hall with a UNANIMOUS vote. What a touch of class THAT was!! Most others WOULD have worked it in, no matter HOW the other inductees might have felt.

     * He mentioned how when he first came to this country at age 20 (!) to play baseball, he LEARNED TO SPEAK ENGLISH!! How unlike many players who come here, make millions, yet still speak through an interpreter, unwilling to learn enough English to make it through a three minute Press Conference, or interview.

     * I'm sure Mo experienced SOME racism in the South when he came here, but he did not mention it, dwelling only on the POSITIVE people (mostly white) who helped him along the way...especially Yankee owner George Steinbrenner.

    * He avoided criticizing TRUMP or entering into the Immigration debate...though I'm sure there was pressure to do so.

     Then, at the very end, Mariano spoke FLUENTLY in his native tongue...I like how he put "English First" in his speech though he CLEARLY had more difficulty with it.  (Contrast that to a PREVIOUS inductee yesterday, Edgar Martinez, who did it in the reverse order, speaking in his native tongue first and THEN in English.)

In short, Mariano Rivera did NOT disappoint yesterday as the closing SPEAKER, even as he hardly EVER disappointed as the "Closer" in a Yankee game.  What can I say?? I love this guy!!

Above: My letter when Mariano was voted in (six months ago.) Below: His new plaque, in the Hall!!  It lists SOME of his many baseball accomplishments.