Mariano Rivera sat on a chair in the corner of the visitor’s clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, his right knee tightly wrapped Friday night and crutches resting against a nearby locker.  In one declarative statement, the Yankees’ closer put to rest any notion that he’d shuffle off into retirement after a devastating injury sustained the previous night in batting practice.  Read more after the jump.
“I’m coming back. Write it down in big letters. I’m not going out like this,” Rivera said.
The 12-time All-Star vowed he will return to the mound by 2013, despite hinting in spring training that this season may be his last. He said he reflected on the injury at his hotel room in the wee hours of Friday morning before making his decision.
“I love to play the game. To me, I don’t think going out like this is the right way,” Rivera said. “I don’t want to retire because I got hurt in the way that it happened. I don’t think like that. With the strength of the Lord, I just have to continue.”
Rivera tore his ACL and damaged his meniscus when his foot caught near the outfield wall before the series opener against Kansas City. An MRI taken during the game revealed the extent of the injury, and Rivera dabbed tears from his eyes when he spoke in the clubhouse Thursday night.
He wasn’t sure at the time whether he would return.
He was certain of it less than 24 hours later.
“Miracles happen,” Rivera said with a smile. “I’m a positive man. The only thing is that I feel sorry I let down my teammates. Besides that I’m OK.”
