So Long, Andy and Mo

Baseball has a long season. It starts with the opening of Spring Training in late February, and usually ends at the beginning of November. Even for the worst teams, even if it's short-lived, there's a strange sense of hope that "this could be the season."  Baseball is a lot like life. It's a long, hard grind, one hundred and sixty-two games, five or six games a week. Who starts the season in first place doesn't necessarily end up there in October. There are many variables for a team's success. Talent is important, but in the end, it's often the team with the most talent, fewest injuries, and some luck that succeeds.

For Yankee fans, 2013 was the realization the glory days were coming to an end. In thirteen years, they won five World Series. The other years, they usually made it to the post season. A large part of that success was do to "The Core Four," Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Petite, and Mariano "Mo" Rivera. In 2011 Posada retired. At the end of 2012, Rivera announced 2013 would be his last season. Due to injury, Jeter spent most of 2013 on the bench. And less than two weeks ago, Petite said this would be his last hurrah.

From April until June, the Yankees were in first place. Knowing that it would be Mo's last season, most fans thought, one more for Mo. It would be the perfect Hollywood ending. But a couple of weeks before Summer officially arrived, they fell out of first. For the rest of the season, they remained close to a Wild Card spot. There was still hope. Besides, the second half of the season was "Say Good-Bye to Mo Time."

For every road series in which the Yankee's played their last game, that team presented Mo with fare-well presents and wishes. It was touching and lots of fun. By late August, one knew the clock was ticking, but there was still more baseball to play, and still the hope that the Yankees could win one more for Mo.

Then September came. Andy Petite announced his retirement. It added to the sadness of Mo retiring. Andy and Mo were part of the Core Four. After 2013, only Jeter would remain. It was imperative that the Yankees make the post season.

Last week, through their loses and other team victories, the Yankees were eliminated from a Wild Card berth. The time had come for Yankee fans to face reality - an era had ended.

Last night I watched Andy Petite gain the final victory of his career. It was a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros, and a complete game - his first since 2006. He is the all-time Yankees strike-out leader and tied for first in career starts with Whitey Ford. He is also a five time World Series champ. Will he make it to the Hall of Fame? That is yet to be determined.

Mo Rivera is the greatest relief pitcher in Major League history with 652 regular season saves and 42 in the  post season. Last Sunday on t.v. I watched him say good-bye to thousands of fans at Yankee Stadium. Last Thursday on t.v., I watched Andy Petite and Derek Jeter walk to the mound to take him out of the game. Endings are a part of life. They are not easy to face, but we all face them. There's a lot that could be said about endings, and this ending, in particular. Derek Jeter said it best. When he approached Mo on the mound, he smiled, and simply said, "It's time to go."