Starting Mariano Rivera Is a Stupid, Stupid Idea

I don't know who hatched this dopey idea originally, but he (or she) should be fined or suspended for creating such a circus around one player. Starting Mariano Rivera in the All-Star game is like stunt-casting Paris Hilton on Broadway in "King Lear." Sure, more people would watch, but the overall production wouldn't be any better for it.

It's a bad idea. Really bad. Stupid, in fact. A really bad, stupid, stupid idea.

Am I being clear here?

Here are my reasons against it:

1. First of all, doesn't Cleveland's Cliff Lee, who is now 12-2, deserve the honor of starting the game? What message is he getting when the best starter in baseball is passed over for a reliever who hasn't started a game since 1995?

2. Why are we honoring Rivera anyway? He's in the first season of a three-year deal. He's not retiring any time soon. The theme (and logo) for the game is a tribute to Yankee Stadium and all the spectacular seasons played within its confines. The only person who deserves a grand tribute is one George M. Steinbrenner, who, for better or worse, has changed the business of baseball more than any team owner person in the game's history. They should make as big a deal for George as the Sox did in 1999 for Ted Williams, back when Teddy Ballgame was still at room temperature.

3. Rivera isn't even the face of the New York Yankees. While you could argue that the Yanks wouldn't have won those World Series back in the 90s without Mariano, it's pretty clear to me that the biggest star and most recognizable and appreciated player is the captain, Derek Jeter. Hey, let's have Jeter be the closer, since Rivera's starting! Woo-hoo!

4. What if Rivera fails as a starter? Have we considered this, O Great Baseball Mind who planted this potentially disastrous idea? Closing and starting are very different situations. In fact, closing and pitching in any other inning are entirely different. Just ask Eric Gagne, who last year in Boston treated the eighth inning like batting practice.

5. For those concerned that the American League will be trailing in the ninth (yeah, sure) or that the game will be a blowout in the AL's favor (more likely), Rivera will probably pitch anyway. And besides, the players are introduced individually before the game even starts. That will be the fans' chance to cheer the Greatest Closer of All Time.

6. In the end, Terry Francona will speak with the Yankees brass and the decision will be made. If they truly want Rivera on the mound in the first inning, it will happen. But don't count on it. Tuesday night will be all about the Yankees, as it should. But I don't want to remember the game for Mariano Rivera's stunt-start. I want to remember seeing a parade of living legends like Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, and other greats take one last bow in the stadium that hosted more championships than any other. The stadium that I loved visiting as a kid. The stadium that made me a baseball fan.