Flickr image by BaseballBacks

Maybe I’m in denial – and it wouldn’t be the first time for me – but I refuse to believe that Mariano Rivera is going to retire.

I just can’t imagine that he would want our last image of him in his Yankee uniform to be the tossing of a ceremonial first pitch during the playoffs.

Or worse yet, our last image of him as an active Yankee player to be the sight of his writhing in agony on the warning track of Kauffman Stadium after tearing his ACL.

Instead, I’m going to believe that Mariano Rivera is going to arrive in Tampa in mid-February just like all of the other pitchers and will start getting ready for the 2013.

Never mind that he will be 43-years-old and coming off a major knee surgery. Mo is otherworldly. He’ll be fine and pick up where he left off.

Right?

I cannot think of the other scenario.

I cannot think of us never hearing “Enter Sandman” blaring from the Stadium speakers again. I cannot imagine not seeing Mo at the end of the game, shaking the hand of his catcher as they celebrate a victory.

And yes, we went through most of this past season without Mo and we did get a glimpse of what life would be like after Mo but I’m not ready for it to be permanent yet. I don’t think you’re ready for it yet and I also don’t think he is either.