Mariano Rivera: Yankees Legend Proclaims He Will Return from ACL Injury

Shame on all of us for thinking otherwise, because Yankees legend Mariano Rivera is vowing to return to the mound after suffering a devastating injury. 

The official Twitter feed of Major League Baseball quotes a determined Rivera:

"

"I'm coming back. Write it down in big letters. I'm not going out like this."—Mariano Rivera to reporters today.

— MLB (@MLB) May 4, 2012"

The baseball world came to a screeching halt on Thursday evening when news broke that Mariano Rivera had torn his ACL shagging balls before a game with the Kansas City Royals. 

ESPN reports that Rivera suffered a torn ACL and a torn meniscus in his right knee after he fell down fielding fly balls.  

Every last baseball fan, whether a Yankees fan or not, thought the same thing when the news broke: There is no way that a highly decorated career like Rivera's should end on the outfield track at Kauffman Stadium. 

Rivera has dominated on the bump for almost two decades, and his final farewells should take place walking off the mound in triumphant fashion. 

The closer extraordinaire has been pitched phenomenally over his 18-year career, and holds the MLB record for saves at 608, which includes 42 memorable stops in the postseason. 

His 2.21 ERA and .998 WHIP ranks first on the majors among active leaders with at least 1,000 innings pitched.

But none of that matches how well the caliber of person Rivera is as a leader, teammate and friend. There is hardly a more respected competitor in the game today. 

The star closer was somber Thursday night, and completely at a loss at what the future holds. 

"

Going to have to face this first. It all depends on how the rehab is going to happen, and from there, we'll see.

"

After a night to sleep on it, and presumed consultation, Rivera is ready for one more tremendous challenge, and one he will undoubtedly meet. 

Athletes hardly ever have the ability to dictate exactly how they go out. Injuries have stolen some great stars of proper exits from the sport they dominated for so long. 

For Rivera, a player that was as durable as any pitcher in the history of the game, it is only fitting that he close out a brilliant career on his terms. 

We will have to wait some time before we say goodbye to one of the best, but that's fine. Mariano Rivera is well worth the wait. 

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