Mariano Rivera

mariano rivera smiling (http://vivirlatino.com/2007/03/07/yankee-mariano-rivera-worried-about-your-soul.php)

My hero was born November 29, 1969 in Panama City, Panama. He is 40 years old and has been pitching in Major League Baseball for sixteen years with the New York Yankees. He has worked very hard to get here and he deserves the reward. He has been on the all star team eleven out of sixteen seasons, played in five World Series, five Rolaids Relief Man awards, three Delivery Man of the Year Awards, 1999 World Series MVP, 2003 AL Championship Series MVP award, and is second all-time in regular season saves 559. My hero shows many heroic qualities including faith, adaptability,well kept composer, and perseverance. My hero is Mariano Rivera.

Mo pitching (http://www.panama-guide.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=1&s=20071011021530133)

Mariano, nicknamed “Mo”, has been a relief pitcher for most of his MLB career. Mo is regarded as one of the greatest closers in baseball history, "in contrast to the volatility and effusiveness that typifies the closer role. Mariano is noted for his calm placid demeanor" and this is one thing that I try to be the same in doing. Rivera intends to work in philanthropy after his baseball career. In Panama Mo’s father, Sr. Rivera, worked as a ship captain in the fishing industry. During high school Rivera played soccer and had only thought of baseball as a hobby but, he soon played baseball instead because of ankle injuries in soccer. Mo graduated high school at the age of 16 and worked six-day weeks on a commercial boat with his father. Rivera decided he did not like the fishing career and did not want to take up as the profession and wanted to be a mechanic instead.

yankees humble hero (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/03/13/2010-03-13_modern_yankee_heroes_mariano_rivera.html)

When Mariano started his baseball career he played shortstop for an amateur team in Panama. The Yankees director of Latin American operations did not see Rivera as an MLB shortstop but a year later he was pitching and was spotted by Yankee scout Chic Heron. After being seen he was invited to try out for the Yankees and was soon signed as a pitcher. Mo spent five years in the minor leagues and was brought up to MLB in 1996. Mariano worked very hard to earn his position as Yankees closer and has saved the game for the Yankees many times. Rivera makes a difference not only on the field but off too with his foundation helping make a difference in children's lives. Mariano also teaches new Latin American players the ways of God and during Christmas time every year he travels back to Panama to teach about God.

Mo having fun on the field (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/10/03/2009-10-03_mo_classic.html)

Mariano has inspired me by the way he works on and off the field because he always keeps his composer and helps others. This summer I learned about Mo teaching the ways of the Lord to teammates and Panamanians in his spare time. This was very interesting to me because I follow the Lord. Mo’s pitching has always inspired me and I have always liked closing baseball games even before I knew about my hero and he has inspired me to always be a good person, because the harder you work the luckier you get and with luck comes success.

mariano excited for the accomplishments (http://martelli.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/)

After reading this I would hope you know that my hero is hard working, faithful persevering, and able to adapt. All of the rewards Mo has earned that I listed in the beginning he is deserving of in my eyes and many others. For starting out as a poor family in Panama Mariano has done very well. My hero is very interesting and I plan to be more like him in my ways.