MORE: MARIANO RIVERA QUOTES AND PHOTOS FROM VISIT TO SARATOGA RACE COURSE

RIVERA PHOTO 3: New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera appears with jockey John Velazquez and New York Racing Association, Inc. President and COO Ellen McClain after Velazquez was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Friday, August 10. Rivera made an appearance at Saratoga Race Course and handed out the trophy following the third race on the card, “The Spa Welcomes Mo!”

 

RIVERA PHOTO 4: New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera appears with jockey John Velazquez after Velazquez was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Friday, August 10. Rivera made an appearance at Saratoga Race Course and handed out the trophy following the third race on the card, “The Spa Welcomes Mo!”

 

Friday, August 10, 2012

MARIANO RIVERA QUOTES

FROM RIVERA PRESS CONFERENCE AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE:

About tenure with Albany-Colonie Yankees: “As I passed by the airport…it was a great memory for me. The time I was here playing I had a great time and the fans were the greatest.”

About backstretch tour with John Velazquez: “I did enjoy that. Johnny was tremendous with me this morning…it was wonderful. I had a tremendous morning. I didn’t know the nursing and care they do with these horses. It’s amazing. Today was like a school for me. I learned a lot. Next time I will know a little bit more about horses.”

About Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez: “It takes special players and special people to do that. And he is one of them.”

About pitching career: “I want to pitch now. But that doesn’t mean I will come back this year. It’s that one percent we have to hope and keep praying that the Lord will heal me as quick as possible. But at the same time you cannot push it. If you push it, you’ll make a mistake. Instead of pitching this year, you won’t pitch again next year. I have to be wise and make sure I do the right thing.”

FROM WINNER’S CIRCLE INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD “THE MIG” MIGLIORE:

About his visit to Saratoga Race Course: “I have had a tremendous time here, it’s a blessing. For me, it is my first time here, and I have enjoyed it tremendously.”

On his rehab from season-ending knee injury: “My rehab is going well, definitely. I’d rather be where the team is, but unfortunately I can’t. I’m trying to get ready as soon as possible.”

On the great jockeys and athletes from Panama: “There is something in the water down there, definitely. We have a lot of them, and one of the best – Pincay.”

About his backstretch tour with jockey John Velazquez prior to his induction into the Hall of Fame: “Johnny V was tremendous to me. He is a great human being and a great jockey. It was well deserved he got into the Hall of Fame.”

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