Again, Reports of Rivera's Demise Exagerrated

Do you remember June 6th? I do.  Yes, in 1944 it was D-Day, the day mostly American forced stormed the northern coast of France with the goal of pushing the Germans back to where they came from.  I don't actually remember that day since I wasn't around at the time. I remember June 6th, 2009 though.  That was the day that Mariano Rivera was pulled in the 9th inning against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after giving up 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk.  For the rarity of the moment, it might as well have been Sasquatch making the long walk from mound to dugout, a silent stadium stunned at what they had just witnessed. Rivera's finished, they said.  We're finally seeing the end, some ruminated.  It's about time, many cheered. We have seen this type of media hub-bub before.  Remember 2007?  Mo gave up 9 earned runs in 2.2 innings, 6 of them to the Red Sox.  The "finished" Rivera posted a 2.23 ERA the rest of the season with a WHIP just over 1.00. How about 2005?  Rivera gave up 6 runs (2 earned) over 2 innings in April against the Red Sox.  He posted a 1.17 ERA the rest of the season with a 0.78 WHIP. This year?  Well, it's not over yet, but since Rivera's little blowup on June 6th, he's thrown 13.2 innings, given up four hits, one walk, one earned run, and struck out 15.  With his few bad outings this season, Rivera's WHIP for the season is still a measly 0.892. Clearly, Rivera's not done.  Not even shoulder surgery over the winter could put an end to his freakishly incredible career.  It's a testament to the incredible run Mariano Rivera has had as a pitcher that people are so quick to proclaim him finished.  What Rivera has done doesn't make any sense.  The fact that he is still doing it at the age of 39 makes even less sense. Of course people expect Mo to suddenly hit a wall and not be able to pitch anymore.  He never should have been able to rattle off the career he has had in the first place.  Just look at Rivera's numbers and tell me how it makes sense.  He's averaged 71 innings a year, as durable a relief pitcher as there ever was.  Since his rookie season (where Rivera started 10 of his 19 appearances), Rivera's lowest ERA+ was 142 in 2007 (100 being league average).  His career ERA+ 199 is the best ERA+ of any pitcher who has ever thrown a baseball. Oh, and his postseason ERA?  .77 in 117.1 innings. He can't do it forever.  Nobody can.  Not even Rivera.  Eventually, the cutter won't cut, the giddyup will slow down, and Rivera will just be average, maybe a little bit below. I just hope Mo decides to retire before we get a chance to see it.