Mariano Rivera Highlights

• From Diehardmagazine.com via story.scout.com and insidetheivy.com, 4/13/07

"If Papelbon’s healthy, he may not only be the closer the Sox have searched for over the past four decades

• but the heir apparent to the “Godfather” of firemen, Mariano Rivera."
  

(From the article, "Anticipation Envelopes Boston on Opening Day," by Jerry Beach)

The media has focused a great deal on Papelbon since 2006. Anyone can check this out for themselves. They've avoided the reality about Rivera--you can look at the MVP and AL Cy Young voting award results if nothing else in 2005 and 2006. Most of the times Rivera's name has been mentioned in 2007-other than the #42 Jackie Robinson anniversary or spring training contract comments--have been in connection with reports about Papelbon and Papelbon himself saying he wanted to emulate Rivera. I'm documenting this for historical reference as I do many other things.

• Because of Papelbon's words, the media has been forced to deal with defining Rivera, something they avoided up until now. Hence their saying he's the 'Godfather' of firemen.