Mariano Rivera strikes out Alex Rios, Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas in order

With only a 1-run lead, score 5-4 v Toronto, maybe 24 hours after a game where he'd gotten 4 outs. Don't tell those who say(wish) Mariano Rivera is done: Dan Graziano, John Delcos, Bob Nightengale, the ESPN staff and all those trusted guardians of the game.

• "Player of the Game" on Yankee radio: Mariano Rivera
• ("Player of the Game" on YES Network: 2 other players--as usual, bypassing the great Rivera).

P.S. Did you know closers are "a dime a dozen?" Rivera K/BB: 10.00.

• Tyler Kepner told you none of the details of Rivera's performance in his NY Times article, saying only, "and turning the game over to Mariano Rivera, who saved it in the ninth." Kepner's version will be syndicated around the world.
• Update: Mr. Kepner has been kind enough to let me know that this version/description of the game will shortly be expanded upon and was just the usual kind of preliminary report he's required to turn in on a rush basis.

FINAL VERSION OF TYLER KEPNER'S NY TIMES STORY INCLUDES KEY DETAILS:

• "Luis Vizcaino came in to work two crucial innings before Rivera’s overpowering ninth.
• “It’s amazing he still throws that hard, and the ball’s back to cutting, with command,” Pettitte said of Rivera.
• “That’s why he’s the best there is.”"

Last 3 sentences from Tyler Kepner's NY Times article for 8/7/07, "Yankees' Young Catalysts Stir Up Another Victory."

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