The Closer

by Mariano Rivera, Wayne Coffey Narrated by Michael Kay

Overview

The greatest relief pitcher of all time shares his extraordinary story of survival, love, and baseball.

Mariano Rivera, the man who intimidated thousands of batters merely by opening a bullpen door, began his incredible journey as the son of a poor Panamanian fisherman. When first scouted by the Yankees, he didn't even own his own glove. He thought he might make a good mechanic. When discovered, he had never flown in an airplane, had never heard of Babe Ruth, spoke no English, and couldn't imagine Tampa, the city where he was headed to begin a career that would become one of baseball's most iconic. What he did know: that he loved his family and his then girlfriend, Clara, that he could trust in the Lord to guide him, and that he could throw a baseball exactly where he wanted to, every time.

With astonishing candor, Rivera tells the story of the championships, the bosses (including The Boss), the rivalries, and the struggles of being a Latino baseball player in the United States and of maintaining Christian values in professional athletics. The thirteen-time All-Star discusses his drive to win; the secrets behind his legendary composure; the story of how he discovered his cut fastball; the untold, pitch-by-pitch account of the ninth inning of Game 7 in the 2001 World Series; and why the lowest moment of his career became one of his greatest blessings.

In The Closer, Rivera takes readers into the Yankee clubhouse, where his teammates are his brothers. But he also takes us on that jog from the bullpen to the mound, where the game -- or the season -- rests squarely on his shoulders. We come to understand the laserlike focus that is his hallmark, and how his faith and his family kept his feet firmly on the pitching rubber. Many of the tools he used so consistently and gracefully came from what was inside him for a very long time -- his deep passion for life; his enduring commitment to Clara, whom he met in kindergarten; and his innate sense for getting out of a jam.

When Rivera retired, the whole world watched -- and cheered. In The Closer, we come to an even greater appreciation of a legend built from the ground up.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

05/12/2014
From humble roots in Panama, Mariano "Mo" Rivera went on to become the greatest closer in baseball history, notching 652 total saves, 13 all-star appearances, and five World Series rings with the New York Yankees over 18 seasons. But in this entertaining, admirably subdued autobiography, the glory is God's: Rivera's story brims with examples of his faith. Sure, there is plenty of baseball for fans to feast on, too. The pitcher tells stories about his teammates (including Derek Jeter, A-Rod, and Joe Torre); championship moments, including the 2000 subway series against the Mets, and the startling game-seven loss in 2001 to the Arizona Diamondbacks; as well as instances of heated pitching rivalries against the Red Sox. He also recalls struggling through injuries, including an elbow issue that threatened his career early on and a blown knee that almost ended his career in 2012. Intensely competitive and a gifted athlete, Rivera will delight baseball fans. But the memories recounted here—both on the field and off—ultimately reveal something deeper: Rivera's almost incredible humility, unshakeable faith, and devotion to his family (he married his childhood sweetheart, Clara). In an age of bravado and bluster in professional sports, he is one of the few athletes who has earned a right to brag. Yet Rivera's elegance and class manage to somehow outshine his accomplishments. (May 6)

From the Publisher

An "engaging memoir.... His tale transcends team loyalties. It even transcends baseball. It is the story of a humble man of deep faith doing great things under enormous pressure. 'I am an imperfect man on an imperfect journey,' he writes. And what a journey it's been."—Steven V. Roberts, Washington Post

"A warmhearted, charmingly frank baseball memoir.... 'The Closer' describes such a devout, decent and admirable guy that 'Happy Father's Day' might as well be its subtitle."—Janet Maslin, New York Times

"Even Babe Ruth as a slugger doesn't have Rivera's kind of consensual clout.... Rivera was known as perhaps baseball's classiest act. He keeps up that reputation here.... Rivera emerges on these pages as a wordsmith.... It's the kind of baseball odyssey that leaves readers with a sense of the Homerian that later extends to the stuff of clutch strikeouts, 'Casey at the Bat'-style grandeur and fallen records."—Colin Fleming, Los Angeles Times

"Over his 19-year career with the Yankees, Rivera became the all-time saves leader and won five World Series. Along the way, he conducted himself with such humility that he earned the love of his teammates, the deep respect of opponents and the admiration of fans. This memoir demonstrates why.... Will be devoured by Yankees loyalists and happily sampled by all baseball fans."—Kirkus Reviews

"For readers seeking inspiration from the tale of the son of a Panamanian fisherman who rose from humble beginnings to the top of the baseball world, The Closer will satisfy.... [The book] is a reflection of Rivera — calm, focused and workmanlike."—Bob D'Angelo The Tampa Tribune

"Rivera has stepped off the pitcher's mound and picked up the pen, writing a new memoir called The Closer. He recounts his journey with humor and humility."—Ben Teitelbaum, The Daily Beast

"Even if you're not a Yankees fan (or you're even a Yankees hater), you can't deny that Mariano Rivera is one of the nicest guys in the game and easily the greatest closer of all time. The Closer... is the story fans have been wanting to read for a long time and one Dad will definitely dig."—Parade

Rivera "comes across as a fellow who's made the transition from poverty in Panama to spectacular wealth and success in New York without abandoning the humility that has apparently characterized him almost since childhood."—Bill Littlefield, Boston Sunday Globe

"It is rare to find so humble a person as Mariano Rivera.... [A] straight-ahead look at Rivera's impoverished childhood in Panama and his improbable rise to stardom.... Yankees — and baseball — fans should appreciate on numerous levels."—BookReporter.com

"A deeply personal tale about hard work, perseverance and an unbridled passion for baseball.... For baseball fans, and casual observers, Mr. Rivera's 19-year career is a marvel to behold. Every page of The Closer reveals another layer of this surprisingly humble man with an incredible talent he only discovered in adulthood. Yankees fans like me are eternally glad that he did, and thank him for all the wonderful memories he gave us."—Michael Taube, The Washington Times

"Recently retired closer Mariano Rivera talks about his journey from Panama to the Bronx, the ups and downs, his faith and so much more. The Closer — quick, simple, to the point. Just like the way he pitched."—Yankees Magazine

JULY 2014 - AudioFile

Mariano Rivera is remembered not only as the greatest relief pitcher in history but also as a humble, soft-spoken, and deeply religious man. That’s why it takes some time to get used to Michael Kay as the narrator of Rivera’s memoir: The New York Yankees television announcer has a brash tone, a Bronx accent, and a fast-talking delivery that is ill-suited to the author's demeanor. But once you settle in, the audiobook is an engrossing listen for baseball fans. Kay’s narration is strongest when he tells stories from the clubhouse and the field; he sounds less comfortable when recounting Rivera’s childhood growing up poor in a family of fishermen in Panama and his spiritual journey as a born-again Christian. D.B © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2014-05-06
Baseball's greatest relief pitcher reflects on his just-concluded surefire Hall of Fame career.When a modern-day ballplayer insists he doesn't play for money, that personal statistics don't matter, or that he's never cheated, heads will shake and eyes will likely roll. It's a measure of the esteem in which he's held that Rivera tends to be believed. Over his 19-year career with the Yankees, Rivera became the all-time saves leader and won five World Series. Along the way, he conducted himself with such humility that he earned the love of his teammates, the deep respect of opponents and the admiration of fans. This memoir demonstrates why. With the help of Coffey (co-author, with R.A. Dickey: Wherever I Wind Up, 2012, etc.), Rivera recounts his childhood in Panama, his progress as "a bottom-of-the-barrel" prospect to and through the major leagues, and his inviolable game-day routine. He touches on his many, thrilling career highlights, but he spends as much time on those occasions where, as the most reliable closer in the game, he failed. It's no surprise to read his admiring, affectionate assessments of teammates—Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams and especially Derek Jeter—and of his respect for opponents like Edgar Martinez and Dustin Pedroia, but Rivera makes a place for less-glittering names as well: his mentor Chico Heron, his saintly wife, Clara, Yankee trainer Gene Monahan and minor league teammate Tim Cooper. Rivera mildly criticizes his high school math teacher, an anonymous Westchester County homeowner, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano but otherwise saves any harsh remarks for himself, "an imperfect man on an imperfect journey." The author's preternatural calm clearly stems from a deep religious faith some nonbelievers will find disquieting, explaining his devastating cut fastball as a gift from God, his belief in miracles and his conviction that the Holy Spirit once spoke to him on the mound.Will be devoured by Yankees loyalists and happily sampled by all baseball fans.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170177356
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	05/06/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged

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