Mariano Rivera Highlights

"The manager also acknowledged he thought about whether to honor Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with the start in his home ballpark --

• but only

• because Francona was asked about it by reporters.

• "Mariano Rivera may be the greatest reliever of all-time, but he's not a starter," Francona said."...

(This was a bad idea and "a media creation," as noted on Red Sox radio).

• "We will treat every player in this game with a lot of respect, certainly knowing that there are Yankees in this game -- but other than that I think doing it correctly."

Francona wouldn't commit to calling on Rivera to close out a ninth-inning lead, saying he didn't want to divulge his plans.

• "I'm going to stick my neck out and say we'll prepare from him," Hurdle said."...

From Newsday by AP, "Indians Lee, Brewers Sheets, to start All Star Game," 7/14/08

• P.S. "When it was pointed out that in 2006 White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen announced ahead of time that he'd give the ball to Rivera in the ninth, Francona replied: "Ozzie does a lot of things." reported in USA Today, "MLB to Rivera: You New Here? by Reid Cherner and Tom Weir, 7/14/08
  

Labels: Mariano Rivera may be greatest reliever of all time, Terry Francona