Everyone hates the Yankees. That’s not a secret. What’s not a secret is that, even for Yankees haters, Mariano Rivera is the best closer in baseball, in my generation, and is universally respected. He carries himself without bombastic flair. Simply grace and class. He comes out of the bullpen, takes the mound, unleashes that feared cutter pitch, and batters go down in flames.

He is a first ballot Hall of Famer. Lock, stock, two smoking barrels. No questions asked. No debate is needed.