MARIANO INFLUENCES HIGH SCHOOL KIDS LIKE MY OWN

We all want our kids and those young people in our lives to be successful and happy.  I personally spend countless hours exposing my son to a multitude of opportunities and experiences to help him find his niche, his favorite zone.  He loves baseball, electronic dance music also known as EDM, technology, super heroes and movies.  So, when he decided to join his high school newspaper after me encouraging him to go out and get involved at school, I was thrilled.  And then, he was asked to write a piece about anything he wanted- an absolute writer’s dream- gratefully, I get to do that everyday at BYB.  Guess what he wrote about or should I say who?  Yes, he inked a story on our very own Mariano Rivera, “the richest man in town,” to coin the phrase from the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life. 

When I read Chris’s piece for the paper, The Voice, a Notre Dame High School student publication, I was so impressed with his work.  As a proud momma, I thought I would share a bit with you:

“On September 26th, 2013 in Yankee Stadium, the greatest closer of all time pitched his final game.  Mariano Rivera’s career has been an amazing 18 years.  He holds the MLB record for the most saves of all time with 652.  He has five World Series rings with the New York Yankees, a World Series MVP from 1999, and he’s been selected to the All-Star game each year from 1997-2013 excluding 2007 and 2012 due to injury.  But beyond the extraordinary accolades, Rivera has left behind a legacy that we as students and athletes can use as we grow into college and career ready adults.  These gifts include, having a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the ability to give and receive respect equally.” 

I have to agree with him and frankly, Mo has reached into the hearts of both young and old with his gifts as Chris states.  He goes on to describe the importance of each gift in the lives of young people. 

“Mariano’s positive attitude stuck with him throughout his entire career.  He never showed negative emotion on the mound, and always kept his head up.  A positive attitude gives you a positive edge, and a competitive edge, that motivates you to stand up to challenges that knock on your door. Despite blowing saves from time to time, Mariano continued to pitch and never gave up.  That kind of positive attitude gives you the confidence to perform well under pressure.”

How many times have we been kicked when we were down and how many times have we woken up on a Monday wishing that is was already Friday?  Mo set the tone for what it means to be positive despite the negativity surrounding you.  He lead by example and that example has reaped a positive affect on young people like Chris.   

“A good reputation is crucial to have in life, because it shows others that you are a respectful and capable person, and that in turn you demonstrate respect toward others, even those that don’t share your views.  Mariano Rivera not only leaves baseball with all his amazing achievements, he leaves behind a message to young people that exercises the importance of respect, work ethic, and a positive attitude.”  

I know we have read tribute after tribute to our forever closer, the Sandman, but this one touched me in a special way.  Not just because Chris is my son, but because Chris could have written about anything and he chose to write about Mo.  What a testament to a simple guy who went out every day and did his job, even when it didn’t seem possible or didn’t seem to matter.  Mo went out there and pitched his best and although the season is still alive in all of our minds where we can hear the echoing sounds of Enter Sandman and feel the rush of Rivera trotting onto the field, the most important thing Mo gave us was his heart and it beats within young people like Chris. 

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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