Monday, March 17, 2014
Roberto Duran throws ceremonial first pitch in Panama for second Yankee-Marlin exhibition game
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3/16/14, "Boxing legend Roberto Duran, middle, threw out the first pitch with Mariano Rivera by his side," ap
3/16/14, "Boxing legend Duran recalls 'Mr. October'," ESPN Deportes, Panama City
"The Panamanian, who is recognized by experts as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the history of boxing after crowning himself in four different weight classes, was a special guest of Mariano Rivera to throw out the first pitch at Sunday's game.
"I'm very happy to see Mariano and I feel proud that the Yankees and Marlins have come and hopefully more games will keep coming because there are a lot of Panamanians that can't travel to the United States and it's a great opportunity," Duran pointed out. "I'm even more happy with the Panamanian people that have demonstrated that they support baseball."
Accompanied to the mound by Rivera, Duran was received with a rousing standing ovation by more than 12,000 people who packed the stands, with Marlins outfielder Giancarlos Stanton serving as the catcher for the pitch.
Duran, who will be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, concluded the news conference by expressing his admiration for Rivera as the best closer in the history of the major leagues, guaranteeing his place as an immortal in Cooperstown. But he stressed that there is no doubt who is the most famous athlete in Panama: "That's me!""
.
3/16/14, "Boxing legend Roberto Duran, middle, threw out the first pitch with Mariano Rivera by his side," ap
3/16/14, "Boxing legend Duran recalls 'Mr. October'," ESPN Deportes, Panama City
"The Panamanian, who is recognized by experts as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the history of boxing after crowning himself in four different weight classes, was a special guest of Mariano Rivera to throw out the first pitch at Sunday's game.
"I'm very happy to see Mariano and I feel proud that the Yankees and Marlins have come and hopefully more games will keep coming because there are a lot of Panamanians that can't travel to the United States and it's a great opportunity," Duran pointed out. "I'm even more happy with the Panamanian people that have demonstrated that they support baseball."
Accompanied to the mound by Rivera, Duran was received with a rousing standing ovation by more than 12,000 people who packed the stands, with Marlins outfielder Giancarlos Stanton serving as the catcher for the pitch.
Duran, who will be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, concluded the news conference by expressing his admiration for Rivera as the best closer in the history of the major leagues, guaranteeing his place as an immortal in Cooperstown. But he stressed that there is no doubt who is the most famous athlete in Panama: "That's me!""
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