New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera Talks World Series 2014, Humble Beginnings As He Lends Support to Ronald McDonald House New York During Bloomberg Tradebook Charity Trading Day [Exclusive]
On Thursday, New York Yankees' legendary pitcher Mariano Rivera proved that in retirement, he's still on top of his game, but this time around his incredible cut fastballs are coming from a philanthropic direction.
The beloved former pitcher lent his support to Ronald McDonald House New York during Bloomberg Tradebook Charity Trading Day, where former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's global agency brokerage business helped raise money for 13 charitable organizations in New York, London and Hong Kong.
Rivera, who was welcomed with none-other than his anthem rock tune, Metallica's "Enter Sandman," indeed helped rock the trading desk alongside Bloomberg and a sea of Bloomberg Tradebook employees who donned creative Halloween costumes -- from Gilligan from "Gilligan's Island" to Willy Wonka's Oopma-Loompas.
In addition to Rivera, other celebrity ambassadors lent their support, including Joe Torre, Bridget Moynahan, Padma Lakshmi, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Bart Scott and Petra Nemcova.
While Yankee fans are still coming to terms with the loss of baseball greats on the roster like Rivera and, more recently, Derek Jeter, there's still work to be done in New York and abroad. Rivera, who cherishes his humble beginnings and took a cue from the late George Steinbrenner, is proving that the Yankees' legacy can have further reach even when you turn in your stripes.
"It's the right thing to do. Definitely, it's something that I always love to do -- give back to the community and that's exactly what they (Ronald McDonald House New York) do and they believe and they breathe," Mariano told Latin Post in an exclusive interview during Bloomberg Tradebook Charity Trading Day in New York.
"Ronald McDonald House New York has done a tremendous job and with Bloomberg supporting, you can't loose with that. When you have people, families who are less fortunate that are receiving a portion of this is great and that's why I am here."
Natalie Greaves, community director for Ronald McDonald New York, shared her gratitude for Rivera and Bloomberg's support.
"We're a home away from home for families battling childhood cancer. People come to Ronald McDonald House when they're looking for the best possible treatments to save their children's lives," Greaves told Latin Post.
"We talk a lot about heroes and we have a house full of children, and these children are relying on their heroes and on anything that can help them to beat their cancer. So when you have a hometown hero like Mariano Rivera, who comes in and he does this amazing thing to raise awareness on a worldwide scale on behalf of families battling cancer, it's a pretty spectacular thing. We're just overwhelmed with gratitude to him and Bloomberg for giving us this opportunity to be here today."
Rivera is as humble as ever -- coming from a fishing village, Puerto Caimito, Panama, where he played soccer and baseball on the beach and substituted baseball equipment with cardboard milk cartons for gloves, tree branches for bats and makeshift baseballs using shredded fishing nets.
With that said, how does Rivera hope to help Latino youth and his fellow Panamanians in need who aspire to become a world-class baseball player like himself?
"First of all, see baseball is a future of uncertainty, the reason why I say that is because you don't know if you are going to make it or not, but what can you do? And that's my best advice that I always give, especially to Latinos and youth coming from Latin countries. You've got to go to school. You've got to finish school," Rivera said.
"The reason why I say that is because, again, sports is no guarantee, but if you have a career in whatever you learned, you have a career in that and you can support your family -- when you have family. Baseball ... you don't know what can happen, a lot of things can happen. So, my best advice is to finish school and get a degree."
Rivera makes a point to also never forget his humble beginnings, which have molded him into the caring and spiritual person he is today.
"You have to remember where you came from -- remember where your roots are and your upbringing. I didn't have anything. She (this writer) mentioned cardboard for gloves. For a bat, I had to climb a tree to find the straightest branches that I could find, so I could have a good bat. So, when you basically remember your home and knowing you didn't have much, that will always keep you grounded," he said.
"And the rest of the game, it will be more easier -- and remember that the game will always continue. What we did and what we do has a limitation, a window of 20 or 25 years and after that, you have to live your life. So, if you do respect the game and stay humble, that what it's all about, just stay humble because that is the greatest tool that a man or women can have."
He also created the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which currently supports at least two "computer houses" in underprivileged communities in Mariano's native Panama. In addition, the foundation has restored Refugio de Esperanza (The Refuge of Hope), a Christian church and has created a community center in New Rochelle, New York.
"We're trying to take kids away from the streets especially in the summertime when they have a lot of time to invest in something that is important. ... Our belief is that if we change someone's life, maybe that life can change other lives and the change will continue," he said.
In the near future, Ronald McDonald House New York plans to name a room after the legendary former Rivera.
Rivera on the Outcome of World Series 2014, Game 7, San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals:
If anyone knows what the intensity and pressure feels like during the ninth inning of Game 7 during the World Series, it's Rivera -- as he recounts his pitch-by-pitch account of the seven-game classic between the Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series in his book, "The Closer" ("Cerrador").
So, what did the Rivera think about the pitching and the overall game between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals during the World Series, Game 7?
"It was a great game. I believe it was an extremely a well-pitching game on both sides. Unfortunately, the American League didn't win. I was rooting for Kansas City, but at the same time, you know, I appreciate baseball and it was a great series, a great baseball game and the best won -- and that was San Francisco."
Take a look back below at Rivera's emotional last pitch and relive an incredible moment in baseball history.