“God gave it to me…”

Mariano Rivera is a first ballot Hall of Fame pitcher, and this is before he even retires!

So, reaching the milestone of 600 saves, Kimberley Jones, a great reporter, immediately steps up with a microphone, asking Mariano about his signature pitch (the “cutter”) and his dominance in baseball for more than a decade…  Here’s 99% of the opening dialogue:

JONES:  “MARIANO, HOW HAVE YOU AND THE CUTTER BEEN SO DOMINANT AND SO DURABLE ALL OF THESE YEARS?”

RIVERA:  “WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE TO THANK GOD, AND MY WIFE AND MY KIDS…  EVERYBODY IN MY FAMILY, MY TEAMMATES…  THE CUTTER AS A PITCH…  GOD GAVE IT TO ME…  HE KNEW I NEEDED THIS ONE…  FOR TO BE SUCCESSFUL FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS, I NEEDED THAT ONE, AND THANK GOD HE GAVE IT TO ME.”

JONES:  “WHEN YOU DISCOVERED THE CUTTER BY ACCIDENT WAY BACK IN 1997, DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU AND IT WOULD BECOME?”

RIVERA:  “AGAIN, I DIDN’T DISCOVER IT.  IT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THE LORD…”

Sometimes, reporters have a definite idea regarding the way in which the world should be viewed.  So, to fit that worldview, they report what they think you should see and hear.

And, if attempting a complete revision of a response is required?  So be it.

Thank heaven for live video!  And thank God for assertive athletes like Mariano Rivera!

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