Rivera Should Not Start the All-Star Game

There has been a lot of talk lately about Mariano Rivera starting the All-Star Game next Tuesday, and I think that idea is ridiculous.

It's simple: Mo is a closer, he should pitch the final inning of the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. That's how it should be.

There would be nothing cooler than hearing Enter Sandman come on, and seeing those bullpen doors open up and Mo start his jog to the mound in the 9th inning of an All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Bob Klapisch, who is in favor of starting Rivera, wrote an article about it this morning and here is some of it:

In a world of crazy, outside-the-box thinking, here's one idea that has gained some traction in the Yankees' clubhouse lately: Why not give Mariano Rivera , this generation's greatest closer, a chance to be really appreciated at the All-Star Game?

How? Not by letting him get those last three outs; that's too pedestrian. There's no guarantee the American League will need a save, and there's no promise that even if Rivera takes the mound, he'll be pitching in a critical situation. A blowout by either league would render the appearance meaningless.

No, the real way to commemorate Yankee Stadium in what could be its final marquee event is to let Rivera start the game: Allow him to bask in the thunderous standing ovation, and let him know what it feels like to have a million flashbulbs go off in his face upon delivery of that first cut fastball.

A couple questions for Klapisch:

1) Do you not think Yankee Stadium will erupt with a "thunderous standing ovation" when he comes in to Enter Sandman in the 9th (regardless of the situation)?

2) Don't cameras work in the 9th inning as well?

Oh, and I think Mo "know(s) what it feels like to have a million flashbulbs go off in his face upon delivery of that first cut fastball," unless they stopped allowing cameras in stadiums over the last 12 years.


Here's what Cashman said about the idea:

"To be honest with you, asking Mariano to be a starting pitcher would be like asking Alex [Rodriguez] to play center field. I don't like it."

Apparently Klapisch felt Rivera wasn't too fond of the idea either:

Rivera paused and considered the outside-the-box -- OK, outside-the-brain -- concept one last time. Starting?

After 811 consecutive appearances in relief?

"Interesting," Rivera said, which is how civilized men put it when they mean, "Don't get your hopes up."

What do you guys think? Should Mo start or close the All-Star Game?