Rivera: I wouldn't go to BoSox

[browntown653]

You can cross one team off of Mariano Rivera's wish list if he leaves the Yankees after this season.

The Yankees' legendary closer told The New York Times that he won't sign with the Bronx Bombers' archrivals, the Boston Red Sox.

"I respect the players and I respect the organization, but we've had so much happen between us. I don't think I could do it," Rivera told The Times.

Rivera said the rivalry between the two teams is too fierce for him to think about switching sides.

"There's too much between the teams," Rivera told The Times. "I like some of their players. They're my friends. I just don't think it would be possible."

Rivera, who has been grandstanding for a contract extension this spring, earlier said that if the Yankees allow him to file for free agency, New York will have no advantage in re-signing him.

General manager Brian Cashman said he told Rivera that his preference is to wait until after the season to negotiate an extension.

Wasn't expecting anything different. The Yankees better not let him to go any team though, and lock him up as quickly as possible.

[Fishercat]

I had a nice response typed up and I got boned by the quick reply, so...wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

[Dry1313]

Tada! Told you Fisher.

[Fishercat]

You told me that he wouldn't leave, he's just saying he won't doesn't think he could go to Boston. Then he'll take a steel chair to Proctor's legs and reveal a Sox jersey.

[browntown653]

Quick Reply 1, Fishercat 0

[A'sDiehard]

Best closer in history IMO and not because of what he does in the regular season but in the postseason (dude defines clutch). I'm not even a Yankees fan and I don't want to see him Boston.

[Fishercat]

You hate Boston, obviously you wouldn't want him there

[DravenX]

Well at least he is not like Damon.

[browntown653]

Well at least he is not like Damon.

I'm tired of hearing about Damon being a traitor...maybe if the Sox hadn't completely lowballed him, he wouldn't have signed with the Yankees.

[Fishercat]

4/40 was not a lowball offer. His OPS was .805, not .905.

[browntown653]

They offered him 4/40?

I relinquish my case...I heard it was much lower than that.

[browntown653]

And for those scoring at home...it's now Quick Reply 1, Fishercat 1, Browntown 0.

[brewersfan19]

I second what A'sDiehard said. The BEST ever at the closer's role!! It jsut wouldn't look right with him in a Sox uniform. With the follow-up on Damon, he was NOT a Red Sox draft pick/farmhand, so it may be a tad different. Rivera is a Yankee from the beginning of his career. I just could NOT see Rivera in anyone else's uniform.

[A'sDiehard]

You hate Boston, obviously you wouldn't want him there

That's correct.