This is an old piece on Yankee closer Mariano Rivera and his wearing of #42, but I think thematically it links to a lot of what we'll been talking about this last week. What are your thoughts? What connections to do you find between Rivera and Robinson and some of the broader topics we've discussed?
A special note: this post is due on January 29, two days before Jackie Robinson's birthday. So sing him happy birthday while you're working.
I think it is a great thing that Rivera is carrying on Robinson's legacy by carrying his number as reminder of the great changes Robinson made for the African American community. I understand as well that this is a great responsibility as well and even a challenge, but any time I see people sticking up for what is right or advocating for equal rights it is the thought and action that truly counts. We were talking a lot about now vs. then, past vs. present and how to define a legendary player. Even though one might say Robinson was a legendary player for his physical feats, I would say he is legendary for taking the steps for a minority that has been carried on throughout history up until today. It really says something about how much just one person can do and I think that Rivera recognizes that and recognizes the ability he has beyond his role as a baseball player to set an example and be a reminder for others of what is right.
ReplyDeleteI find it really interesting that the article stresses how great Rivera is because of his cool, “professional” personality because that’s how Robinson was seen for the first years of his Major League career. People seem to want a strong, silent champion to power through racism with patience and dispassionate comportment. “Always with a persistent professionalism. He grew nicely into greatness.” This note about growing into greatness really links back to Robinson’s career. People were surprised that he was the top pic of the Negro Leagues to break the “color-barrier” because his stats weren’t the greatest, and he wasn’t as well known as Cool Papa Bell or Gibson. However, people ultimately felt that Robinson grew into greatness, as Rivera has, by maintaining a patient, un-reactive demeanor on the field.
ReplyDeleteRivera also faces scrutiny as the last wearer of #42, though largely for different reasons than Robinson. He said, “‘So I know I am always watched, under the microscope.’ Rivera paused, not for effect but because he is a serious, contemplative man. He added: ‘It’s a challenge, you know?’”
Some of the quotes from sources like Alan Swyer are borderline racist, as they blatantly treat and perceive Rivera differently than other great players: “There is a dignity to him that is really important, especially as the U.S. becomes more Hispanic.” (Alan Swyer)
I think that America will always be captivated by the strong-silent types because there is a level of heroism and also mystery to them. José E. Serrano commented, “Mariano is so interesting because he just comes in, does the job, nothing flashy, like working people do every day.”
I think that Rivera is the perfect person to be the last player to wear the number 42. Although Rivera was able to come into a league that was far more tolerant of nonwhite players, he has still certainly had his fair share of struggles throughout his life. To adapt to American culture is difficult for anyone, not to mention the fact that racism is still alive and well in America. In addition, Rivera like all players has had to grapple with the MLB's steroid problem, resisting the urge to break the rules in search of better stats and bigger contracts. Rivera is also much like Jackie when it comes to the field. They are both cool, calm, and collected players who know their role, and to whom baseball means the world. Although Robinson was certainly a more monumental player both in the game itself and with civil rights, Rivera is still a fantastic pitcher with a strong moral compass and has done a great job thus far in continuing Robinson's legacy.
ReplyDeleteRivera as a player exemplifies the skill that Jackie Robinson brought to the game. A certain future hall of famer, Rivera's career has been defined as being one of the greatest pitchers of his era. To have someone as talented and skilled as Rivera uphold Robinson's number is fitting. For someone to combine exceptional talent and skill with a comparable experience as a person of color is fitting for the last wearer of Robinson's number. Rivera's exceptional record as a role model and philanthropist embodies the spirit of Robinson. Though Rivera was no maverick of his time, his exceptional character and exceptional play makes him a great man to close the legacy of Robinson's number. His lasting image as a role model is a perfect close to the number 42.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is mostly an outsider to the sport, I can't speak about Rivera's athletic achievements with any degree of certainty or authority. However, from what the article says about his demeanor and personality, especially Serrano's statement that “Mariano is so interesting because he just comes in, does the job, nothing flashy, like working people do every day” makes me feel immense respect for him. For being someone with that immense legacy and burden on his shoulders, he has carried it with public humility and private pride to the best of his ability. In doing so, he has made himself someone whom I would definitely consider worthy to carry a small part of his legacy with the number.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really great the Mariano Rivera, considered to be one of the best closers of all time and a hispanic player, was the last person to be able to wear #42 on his back. I had never really thought about the connections between Robinson and Rivera, but after reading articles about both of them, there was so much they had in common. Other than both of them being amazing, once in a generation baseball players, they were very humble in the way they achieved their successes and were able to make the game more tangible for non-white baseball players. Yes, Rivera was not the first hispanic player in the MLB, but he was one of the greats and was one that always was calm, cool, and collected, which helped alter the stereotypes of the “hot-headed” Latino players. Both Robinson and Rivera played for the love of the game, this is the reason why Jackie wanted to play in the Major Leagues, and it is the reason why Mariano was still playing at age 40. It is not about the money, but about playing the fun and exciting game of baseball. Both players changed the game and allowed baseball to grow into a sport that is inclusive to all ethnicities and skin colors, and it is only fitting that Mariano Rivera is the last player to ever wear #42.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I immediately saw a strong connection between Mariano Rivera, one of the greatest closing pitchers, and Jackie Robinson. When Rivera said "So I know I am always watched, under the microscope,” I thought back to what we've talked about in class about Jackie Robinson being under very close inspection and speculation in the Major Leagues compared to any other players at the time. Rivera seems to feel some of the same pressures while wearing the number 42 and being the last to carry Robinson's legacy. I also really enjoyed reading about the relationship between Rachel Robinson, and her respect and approval for Rivera being the last to wear her late husband's number. Overall there couldn't be anyone else as hardworking, humble, and respectful as Rivera to be the last to wear 42.
ReplyDeleteTo hear such good things from Rachel Robinson about Mariano Rivera and how she approves of him being the last to wear the number 42 was a great sign that this indeed was a good choice. She spoke very highly of him and said that she has admired him "for so long from afar". She is one of the last direct ties to Robinson and to see her smiling face in the photo with him was truly amazing. Hearing from Rivera himself about how honored he was to have been the last player to wear Robinson's number was also incredible. He is a hard working player who was chosen to wear 42 because of talent and dedication to the sport that he loves. He said that everyday he wore the number with pride. As for connections between Robinson and Rivera, there are many, but one that is most important is the public's idea of these players because of their race. For Robinson, he faced many trials because he was the first African American to play in the major leagues and for Rivera, there were many stereotypes that some people thought applied to all people that are of Latino decent. They both individually redefined those stereotypes and showed people that anyone can play baseball.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question that Mariano Rivera is the ideal player to wear Jackie Robinson's number, #42. As two incredible athletes and ball players, there is unbelievable parallels between Rivera and Robinson's contributions to baseball. Robinson broke down barriers for African Americans and players of color by creating a name for himself just as Rivera has made a name for himself as a Latino player. Both men are humble players with cool heads and have the ability to play impeccable baseball. The number 42 is a symbol of hard work and dedication to baseball which is something that both Rivera and Robinson have proven they can do.
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ReplyDeleteThis article really showed the similarities between Robinson and Rivera. The pressure to wear the iconic #42 must be pretty darn high, and its safe to say that Rivera was not only inspired to live up to its standards as a player, but also as a person. In sports, players numbers often become an embodiment of who they are, and the number holds more importance than just a way to tell the difference between players on the field. The perfect example of this is Jackie Robinson's #42. Who knows if Rivera would have been as good of a closer or a person had he not worn the symbol of equality on his back every day? I remember watching Rivera's last close on TV, and you could honestly feel the crowd's energy and respect for him through the TV. The two baseball legends both showed humility on and off the field, which is why Mariano Rivera was the perfect person to last wear Jackie Robinson's number.
one big connection between Rivera and Robinson is that they were both watched under a microscope for obvious reasons mentioned in the article and the comments above. Robinson had the pressure of changing the perception of an entire race of people, while Rivera had the pressure of maintaining the revolutionary legacy left by Robinson. I don't think Rivera was under quite the same pressure as Robinson, but it definitely can't be not stressful when you are one of the few people that doesn't have to respect the legacy of an amazing player and American.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading his article, I realized that the number 42 does not simply represent the breaking of baseball’s color line but it additionally serves as a role model for all future ball players. When Mariano Rivera first received the number 42 he had no idea what its significance was or how it would change his outlook on the game but looking back, he was undoubtedly the right person to wear it. Both Rivera and Robinson are portrayed as “cool-headed” ball players letting the game come to them and never becoming upset, taking themselves out of the game. For Robinson’s time, it was essential that he controlled his emotions, especially his anger, to set a good precedent for what minority ball players could achieve in the game of baseball. Never the less, Rivera embodies this aspect of Robinson’s game and truly carries with him a rich history of the game every time he sets foot on a field with that number. Rivera now carries the legacy that so many young Latino and African American ball players look to as their idol. It is important that the history of the game is never forgotten and Mariano Rivera is the man for preserving it.
ReplyDeleteFor me I truly believe that it is a perfect fit for Mariano Rivera to have been the last baseball player to wear the glorious #42. My main thinking behind it was the demeanor that Robinson was forced to have is the same demeanor one must have being a closer. Jackie Robinson had to try and stay calm and collected during his time in baseball because of the fact he broke the color barrier. Similarly closers are the highest stress players in baseball and just like Jackie Robinson they have to be able to control their emotions and stay stone cold. And although Jackie Robinson let his emotions get the better of him at times, and the same can be said about any great closer. More importantly the majority of the time Jackie Robinson was able to stay in control and the same can be said about Mariano Rivera, as he is the best closer of all time in my mind. Therefore being one of the most calm and collected players in baseball history, just as Robinson distributed during his hardships in the majors.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know anything about Mariano Rivera outside of this article, but from reading this, he seems like a wonderful player to be wearing Jackie Robinson’s number. The article describes him as serious and contemplative, and shows how he is humble and conducts himself very well, which is similar to how Robinson had to be on the field and in the public eye. He has also helped to combat stereotypes about Latinos while playing, which I think is a good legacy for someone wearing 42, especially since he’ll be looked at as a part of history going forward. The number 42 is now symbolic of Jackie Robinson’s hard work and dedication, as well as his involvement in the civil rights movement, and it seems to me that Rivera is a great player to be helping uphold this legacy.
ReplyDeleteLike Robinson did for African American players, people believe that Rivera was able to bring a new definition of what a Latino player was to the major leagues. Rivera is a classy man who gets the job done on the pitcher's mound while still remaining humble and kind around the dugout. Rivera has a great appreciation for the number that he caries and the significance that it holds for not only baseball, but for human equality. Being the last player to hold the number 42 he has a great amount of responsibility to perform athletically and also be a role model for MLB fans. Some people have the stereotype in their mind that latin pro players are willing to use any type of performance enhancing drug and are not team players. Rivera however is class act who proves these stereotypes wrong. He redefines what a latino baseball player can look like which is similar, but not exactly the same, to how Jackie Robinson showed the major leagues what negro baseball players could be like. In conclusion both Robinson and Rivera have redefined how their races are perceived in major league baseball in positive ways.
ReplyDeleteRivera and Robinson are both very similar in how skilled they were at baseball, but also how much pressure they were under to perform well. Like Robinson, the expectation of how Rivera performed was much greater than other players in the league. I think that along with this, Rivera has helped progress baseball in major ways for Latino players. While he didn't break the color barrier, he is seen as a hero to many young players who hope to one day have the same opportunity to play professional baseball as he did. I think his greatness can also be seen in his own humility. He says that he can't be compared to Robinson because he didn't break the color barrier, yet he is still a very influential player who did a lot in progressing the MLB organization and community. For these reasons, I think that it is very fitting that Rivera was the last player to wear 42 as his number.
ReplyDeleteRivera talks about knowing he was "always watcher, under the microscope." Feeling this pressure, like Robinson did, he admits that, "it's a challenge, you know?" Playing professional baseball puts you in the spotlight and that spotlight follows you off the field as well. Robinson was dehumanized and expected to act like a white man's ball player, rather than act like the fiery and passionate player he was. However, being in the spotlight doesn't just mean you have to clear up your actions, but it also means that your voice will be amplified. When fans and press care what you have to say, you are given a special kind of influence, which is really powerful. At the end of the article, Rivera was complimented for teaching young people of the challenges minorities, like African Americans and Latinos, have faced in baseball. Jackie also aimed to do this, and I think that is a big contributing factor of why he is so legendary.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that when Rivera first joined the major leagues he didn't realize the magnitude of the number he was wearing. The fact that Rivera never succumbed to the temptation of doping is another indication to his greatness and may have been in large part because of the legacy he has carried from the moment he stepped on the field. The quote, “Heroic individual sees obstacle. Obstacle is overcome. The End." really seems to perpetuate exactly what Robinson did and in the most American way possible. Overcoming obstacles and surpassing expectations is what both these magnificent players have done.
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