By Ryan McGowan
Mariano Rivera notched his 500th career save last weekend against the Richmond Braves New York Mets.
Back in the 90’s, or even as recently as 2003, such an event would have been greeted in Red Sox Nation with snotty, sarcastic dismissals and whiny, insecure hating. New England would have made a collective litany of excuses as to why this event was irrelevant, as to how Mo was overrated, and how 500 saves wasn’t anything to be proud of.
Thank God we’ve grown up as a fan base. Now, at least, we can fully accept and appreciate Rivera for being what he is—the greatest closer of all time. No strings attached, no questions asked.