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The chair was occupied, and — in its own way — that was perhaps the first clue it would not be for much longer.
When the clubhouse door opened to the media early yesterday morning, there was Mariano Rivera sitting at his locker. On the surface, so what? But there are Mo Rules in spring, and one is that he will not report on time.
No one around the Yankees cares. He is Mariano Rivera, and his history is he shows up in great shape, pinpointing pitches and needing six to eight innings in all to be ready for Opening Day. And this year, Rivera had cautioned general manager Brian Cashman at the Baseball Writers dinner in January he was going to be particularly late to spring training. So when Rivera was there yesterday on time, Cashman actually exclaimed,...
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