Mariano Rivera Hints at Retirement

[EmpireWF]

Speaking to the media today, he was pretty coy about his future. He sounded like he will retire at the end of the season.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2012/02/yankees_great_mariano_rivera_h.html

TAMPA, Fla. – Mariano Rivera didn't come out and say it. But the greatest closer of all time left plenty of hints today that this will be his final season. Rivera, 42, said that several weeks ago he made his decision. For now, it is a decision he will keep to himself, one that can't be changed despite what happens this year.

“This one is different,” Rivera said about his decision. “This is it.”

As he did last season, Rivera said it was difficult to leave his family behind for camp. But Rivera, the all-time saves leader, refused to make any definitive comments. His two-year contract is up at the season's end.

“I won't let you know now,” Rivera said. “But I know.”

He was joking around with them, too, about making a decision and when he'd let them know.

[Chrispy]

I see him retiring after this season. I would hate to be the guy to follow him though.

[Youk]

Honestly, I hope he has a pretty good season. Would be nice to see someone go out with a decent season instead of a shit one.

[Guest]

He's lost velocity, but with his cutter being as great a pitch as it is, Rivera can still function off it and he still has the makeup. Definitely hoping he goes out with a great year as a baseball fan, and since the Orioles have no playoff aspirations to speak of, maybe he goes out on top?

So I'll be the first to ask the question, first ballot HOF'er?