Is Mariano Rivera a better player than Jackie Robinson?

Answer 1

A battle for the number 42. Who goes down in history as the better player?

Mariano Rivera is a superb relief pitcher/closer. He is second in all time saves and has won various relief pitcher awards. He has won 5 World Series with the New York Yankees and was MVP in one of them. Those accomplishments makes him one of the top pitchers of all times.

On the other side of the ring, we have the first player of color in the Major leagues. His short career in the Major league was very productive. He was a 6 time All-star, Rookie of the year, NL MVP, and, most importantly, a World Series champion.

In conclusion Rivera's stats are much more impressive as there is almost no player that could match his stats. His numbers are among the top for relief pitchers.

Robinson, stats were mediocre; many players were much better than he was. Willie Mays was a player of color that arrived 4 years after Robinson and is considered one of the best players ever. There are also a couple dozen of players who are much better than Robinson was. The truth is that the color of his skin got him into history books across America, got his number retired by all Major league teams, and has a day name after him in the MLB.

Rivera was the most skilled player to wear 42 in any professional sport, but Robinson will always be the topic of that legendary Number. On a side note, Rivera is among the most heard names in the MLB because he has the Grandfather clause.

The Question many are asking as Rivera approaches his final years is the retirement of his number, 42. This is a separate question that the MLB might have some difficulty answering. Unless Rivera does not want his number to be retired, there will be an issue. Why should Robinson, a rival of the Yankees organization (he didn't contribute to the well being of the Yankees; He beat them in the World Series), have his number retired over one of the stars the Yankees for the past decade and a half?

He did however, contribute to the MLB by being an example for all colored players that came after him; and that is alot of players. Rivera, being a player or color, might not seek to have his number retired over someone so historic. Rivera has meet with Rachel Robinson (Jackie Robinson's spouse) and Rivera said it was an honor. Saying that alone might sound like he has "respect" for Robinson (meaning he would want his number retired over Robinson) , but any player would want his number retired; it can only be done once it almost as good as being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since Rivera is on a Grandfather Clause, perhaps the MLB will make another exception to number retirement. There are many alternatives to how Rivera can be honored, but nothing is quite the same as getting your number retired.

That being said, sports fan could argue that Ronnie Lott is worth of being the greatest athlete to wear number 42.