* With the announcement of the retirement of Mariano Rivera at the close of this season, the end of an era nears. Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte likely will retire within a few years, and an amazing 20-year stretch that has already produced five World Series championship, seven AL pennants, and 13 AL East titles will come to an end. During this time, we fans were incredibly fortunate to see homegrown players like Rivera, Jorge Posada, Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Pettitte (except for his three-year stretch with the Astros) spend their entire careers with the Yankees and form the core of teams we will still be talking about fondly for many decades to come. This year, everyone is predicting doom and gloom for the Yankees. It’ll be 1965 all over again according to so many. If those dire predictions should materialize, however, I hope Yankees fans will remember what a great ride it has been and appreciate the end of Rivera’s career, as well as what still remains of the careers of Pettitte and Jeter, and this era of Yankees baseball. It is players such as these we should honor, remember and appreciate, and who have made the Yankees the great organization they are. Perhaps a new core can be built around Robinson Cano, another homegrown Yankee.
STEVEN ALENGAKIS
Brooklyn
* As the great Mariano Rivera closes out 2013 and retires from baseball, we are left to the realization there will never be another closer as great as this guy. His records speak for themselves and his presence on the mound has been a sight to see. He closes games with such little effort that it is like child’s play. In sports you have great players such as Wayne Gretzky in hockey, Michael Jordan in basketball, Joe Montana in football — and Mariano Rivera in baseball. There will never be another like him.
KENNY CULLEN
Throggs Neck
Really, Robbie?
* If Robinson Cano really turned down a seven-year deal at $27 million per season after his miserable 2012 postseason, I would reluctantly agree the Yankees owe him no counter offer. At some point, a player has to take some responsibility, notwithstanding that his agent, Scott Boras, wants to bleed every last penny out of the Yankees. The fans ultimately pay for these ridiculous salaries with $14 beers and $8 hot dogs.
STEVEN PALUMBO
Bellmore, N.Y.
Crash and learn
* First Yankees general manager Brian Cashman rappells down the side of a building and then he breaks his ankle skydiving. What’s next, jumping on a trampoline with Joba Chamberlain?
BOB BUSCAVAGE
Moriches, N.Y.
Third string
* The Yankees’ brass are going to have some job convincing the paying customers their team will not only make the playoffs, but have a realistic chance of winning the World Series. With the injuries to Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, how can that happen? The pitching staff would have to be lights-out for the entire summer for the Yankees to have the slightest chance. I’m thinking third place in the division — if they’re lucky.
GENE VanAMBURGH
Albany N.Y.
To the mat
* I had a nightmare in which IOC President Jacques Rogge agreed to keep wrestling in the Olympics — but only on the condition the rules committee be headed by the WWE’s Vince McMahon.
RICHARD SIEGELMAN
Plainview, N.Y.