My Mariano Rivera Experience
So many people know that I idolize Mariano Rivera (hense the website). The day I met him was the greatest day of my life and I was so lucky to have won the contest. I want to post my story to prove how lucky I am.
Mo has been my idol since I was 11. I was a young pitcher, always started for my teams and played every game. In 7th grade when I was 12, the coach I had was the kind of softball dad that put his daughter and her friends first. I touched the mound twice that year for that team. Played the bench more than the actual field. That summer I left that team and joined the 12U team because I was still age eligable. But because technically that “wasn’t” my team, I only pitched the last inning. Every inning I pitched was a shut out, but I so badly wanted to start. I felt this way until one game when I had an amazing save, my dad called me, “Mariano Rivera.” That’s when I realized I was more important to the team than I thought. That moment motivated me the rest of my life to play softball. I continued closing that summer then the rest of my softball carreer I was the starter/closer for the 2 teams I was on. Freshman year I started/closed every game for my freshman team. Sophmore year I did the same and also threw a perfect game to go along with it. I am currently the pitcher for my JV team again and actually threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts today. All I had to say was, “good thing I wore my lucky necklace.”
In November on Mariano Rivera’s website, he posted a photo with a caption that said, “Share this photo and you can win a chance to meet Mariano Rivera.” I commented, “If I met him, my life would change forever.” Not really thinking I’d win I gave it a shot and shared it. One week later I got a direct message on twitter from Mariano himself saying I won. I was too speechless to do anything. I called up my yankee friend and said Let’s Go!
My mom was getting a new car the day of the signing and we did not think we could make it. I had messaged him back saying I was sorry that I couldn’t make it. BUT My mom got home at 1 and the signing was at 2. We had an hour to get to scarsdale. Called up my friend Chloe, and picked her up. Scarsdale here we come! We also wanted to stop at the Nick Swisher signing in NYC which was after Mo’s because Chloe loves him. On our way to scarsdale, we got lost. Of course. We had to stop and get directions from a cop, WHO WAS A METS FAN. While I was sitting in the car waiting for the cop, I went on twitter and saw that Mo replied, “Sorry you can’t make it, we’ll set up another meeting.” “I’m coming!!!” I said back, not that he’d see it. I go on facebook and saw that his page was updated with a photo at the signing and it was captioned, ” Congrats to Alexis who won the contest to meet mo.” My friend posted it on my wall. I wasn’t even there yet! It was almost 3 when we were on our way. When we got there we missed him by a half hour. The people from Steiner Sports were there. The lady gave me her card and said I could meet him at his next event.
After that we went to NYC to meet Swish. We missed him too. So me and Chloe were 0 for 2. Got home that day, went on twitter. “Mariano Rivera is now following you.” I am the only fan he follows.
A few weeks later I got an message. From Mo. December 12th, Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, Long Island is his next event and I was invited to that one. An hour for 30 seconds with my idol is worth it. That day my dad and I left my house at 4:00 pm and were on our way. We got there and went to the Steiner Sports store. I got my VIP bracelet, my blank ball to sign, and waited on line for 2 hours. Did not complain once. We met people online that paid $200-$500 for these tickets when I got a free ride. I walked up to the table when it was my turn. This is it. I am 3 feet away from God. I walked up to him and said, ” Hi you’ve been my idol ever since I started pitching and I wear this necklace everyday!” He smiled and said, “Aw thank you so much!” and signed my ball and smiled for the picture. I thanked him for following me on twitter too. He smiled and laughed. At the end the steiner sports people said to go back up to the store because they have a suprise for us. At the store they handed us a blue box. I open it and inside was a crystal container of the sand from Yankee Stadium in 2009. Yeah, the ones they sell for $300 online. I got for FREE! I crossed number 1 on my bucket list off all for nothing. You can’t put a price on that day.
teammarianorivera 