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The Closer Hardcover – May 6, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
Review
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
"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
"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
"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
About the Author
Mariano Rivera was a New York Yankee for nineteen seasons. He is Major League Baseball's all-time saves and ERA leader, a thirteen-time All-Star, and a five-time World Champion. He and his wife, Clara, have three sons and live in New York.
Wayne Coffey is one of the country's most acclaimed sports journalists. A writer for the New York Daily News, he cowrote R. A. Dickey's bestselling Wherever I Wind Up and is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Boys of Winter, among other books. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife and children.
Wayne Coffey is one of the country's most acclaimed sports journalists. A writer for the New York Daily News, he cowrote R. A. Dickey's bestselling Wherever I Wind Up and is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Boys of Winter, among other books. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife and children.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By
Downs MacRury
on May 6, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase
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What struck me was the utter improbability of Mariano's journey. His pre-Internet village as if from another century. Didn't speak English, never been on a plane, never heard of Babe Ruth. He came from nothing and ended up on the mountaintop. And the great thing is that after reading this book you know he's just what he seems, a special man. A generous spirit. Kind. But more too, perceptive and wise. He's quiet, but it surprised me how tough he is. Read the Cano stuff. Mariano Rivera, the ultimate modern Yankee. What a story. I received it as a gift. Perfect for this Yankee fan.
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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By
Denis Vukosav
TOP 100 REVIEWER on May 7, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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‘The Closer’ is recently released autobiography of Yankees legendary reliever Mariano Rivera in which he shares with fans a story of his life and greatest love – baseball.
Rivera, born 1969, besides being one of the players that marked baseball history was also special due to his origins – born in Panama, in a family of humble fisherman he was perfect symbol of American dream come true.
The beginning of his career resembles some Hollywood movie, Rivera’s thinking about working as a mechanic until been found out by Yankees scout. Back then he didn’t know to speak English, he didn’t have his own glove and Babe Ruth was name that didn’t mean anything to him.
His baseball career started in Tampa and will end him becoming thirteen-time All-Star, a Yankees icon for time to come.
In his book, that in my opinion is a bit too short with its 300 pages, besides all the expected things that Yankees fans are certainly eager to read, a reader can find numerous behind-the-scenes stories about the team managers and owners, about his teammates, rivalry with other players and teams, and probably most important, about his struggling to be different sportsman who managed to preserve and cherish his values and beliefs, not forgetting about his origins.
Rivera was finding strength in Clara, who he knew practically his whole life, and the other beloved ones which helped him going through even the saddest times of his career; in ‘The Closer’ Rivera speaks about his desire to win, his composure that became his trademark along with his cut fastball.
Therefore, if you like baseball and especially if you’re fan of Yankees Rivera’s book is absolute must-read which tells a story about one special man and his dream, that speaks about a man who despite not being too old already became a legend.
Rivera, born 1969, besides being one of the players that marked baseball history was also special due to his origins – born in Panama, in a family of humble fisherman he was perfect symbol of American dream come true.
The beginning of his career resembles some Hollywood movie, Rivera’s thinking about working as a mechanic until been found out by Yankees scout. Back then he didn’t know to speak English, he didn’t have his own glove and Babe Ruth was name that didn’t mean anything to him.
His baseball career started in Tampa and will end him becoming thirteen-time All-Star, a Yankees icon for time to come.
In his book, that in my opinion is a bit too short with its 300 pages, besides all the expected things that Yankees fans are certainly eager to read, a reader can find numerous behind-the-scenes stories about the team managers and owners, about his teammates, rivalry with other players and teams, and probably most important, about his struggling to be different sportsman who managed to preserve and cherish his values and beliefs, not forgetting about his origins.
Rivera was finding strength in Clara, who he knew practically his whole life, and the other beloved ones which helped him going through even the saddest times of his career; in ‘The Closer’ Rivera speaks about his desire to win, his composure that became his trademark along with his cut fastball.
Therefore, if you like baseball and especially if you’re fan of Yankees Rivera’s book is absolute must-read which tells a story about one special man and his dream, that speaks about a man who despite not being too old already became a legend.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By
BookVodney
on May 8, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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This book covers a man's journey from hardship, toil and heartbreak on a small fishing boat in Panama to rising as a star pitcher with an infamous team in the Major Leagues. It reminds me why I love the game so much. A game where anyone - no matter their back ground in life can demonstrate greatest . It is another story of America and it's favorite game: A tale of a kind hearted, religious, and humble man's rise to greatest.
Rivera was signed by the Yankees at age 20 when he was discovered playing on local teams in Panama. He developed and rose to invent a pitch known as the "cutter" - almost impossible to hit. His talent carried him to a long and successful career. Some may believe this book to be "sugar coated" (not typical of the scandalous books of today), but I found it to be refreshing, and it has sparked my interest in baseball this season. A story of a simple man's opportunity to rise to unbelievable heights - a story only found in America.
Rivera was signed by the Yankees at age 20 when he was discovered playing on local teams in Panama. He developed and rose to invent a pitch known as the "cutter" - almost impossible to hit. His talent carried him to a long and successful career. Some may believe this book to be "sugar coated" (not typical of the scandalous books of today), but I found it to be refreshing, and it has sparked my interest in baseball this season. A story of a simple man's opportunity to rise to unbelievable heights - a story only found in America.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By
Phil Wade
on May 13, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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He has been called the greatest relief pitcher in the history of baseball, and he holds the current record for most games saved (652). This book is his story as he would tell it. There are no skeletons in the closet and no bridges burned between teammates. Rivera is an honest, upbeat man who played his best (which was better than most).
There's a story about finding his place on the mound. He says one of the great ironies about sports is that trying too hard to succeed is about the surest way to bring on failure.
"When John Wetteland signed with the Rangers, the Yankees put me in as their closer. I didn’t let on at the time, but I really wanted to show everybody that I could do it. The ’97 season didn’t start well, and Mr. T. (Joe Torre) and the pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre, called me in.
"I said, 'I’m sorry I’ve blown so many games.'
"They said, 'Mo, do you know what you need to do? You need to be Mariano Rivera. That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less. It looks to us like you’re trying to be perfect.'
"I walked out of that office feeling 10,000 tons lighter. They wanted me to be myself. That’s when I devised a little trick. I wasn’t going to think about the inning or anything else. When I’m on the mound, I have the ball, the hitter has a bat, and my only job is to get him out one pitch at a time. The payoff was immediate. I stopped trying to be Wetteland and demanding perfection, and I run off twelve straight saves."
That's the kind of guy Rivera is. If you're a fan of his or a fan of baseball, there are many deep inside details here to mull over. I think you'll enjoy this book.
There's a story about finding his place on the mound. He says one of the great ironies about sports is that trying too hard to succeed is about the surest way to bring on failure.
"When John Wetteland signed with the Rangers, the Yankees put me in as their closer. I didn’t let on at the time, but I really wanted to show everybody that I could do it. The ’97 season didn’t start well, and Mr. T. (Joe Torre) and the pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre, called me in.
"I said, 'I’m sorry I’ve blown so many games.'
"They said, 'Mo, do you know what you need to do? You need to be Mariano Rivera. That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less. It looks to us like you’re trying to be perfect.'
"I walked out of that office feeling 10,000 tons lighter. They wanted me to be myself. That’s when I devised a little trick. I wasn’t going to think about the inning or anything else. When I’m on the mound, I have the ball, the hitter has a bat, and my only job is to get him out one pitch at a time. The payoff was immediate. I stopped trying to be Wetteland and demanding perfection, and I run off twelve straight saves."
That's the kind of guy Rivera is. If you're a fan of his or a fan of baseball, there are many deep inside details here to mull over. I think you'll enjoy this book.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By
Steffen Roy Leguisamo
on May 8, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
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I thought that I know a lot about Mariano, but at this time his soul and experience is exposed for good. Very helpful. Well written I suppose he receive a lot of help, but definitely is Mariano.
God always has been with him. Amazing the history of the day he pitch for the first time since he was 14. Don't want to be a spoiler, highly recommended and I am just in chapter 3.
Steffen Leguísamo
God always has been with him. Amazing the history of the day he pitch for the first time since he was 14. Don't want to be a spoiler, highly recommended and I am just in chapter 3.
Steffen Leguísamo
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