MLB

Mariano Rivera jokes: ‘I am not retired yet’

BOSTON — Having been presented the prestigious Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award by Bud Selig, Mariano Rivera put a look of bewilderment on the commissioner’s face. And if Yankees fans had been in the room on the middle floor of Fenway Park, they would have applauded.

“I am not retired yet, it’s the offseason,’’ Rivera said. “Since I did the whole American League and all the gifts and all the time with the family travelling all over, I have decided I am going to give it another shot in the National League.’’

While Rivera talked, Selig stared at the all-time saves leader in disbelief, but each man smiled when Rivera was done joking.

“We will make sure that happens,’’ Selig said.

Since Rivera announced his retirement in spring training, he knew the 2013 season was the final one of a career that will land him in Cooperstown and possibly be the first unanimous Hall of Famer.

Because being at home this time of the year is normal, Rivera hasn’t felt the emotional tug of a game that has made him wealthy and popular.

However, the time is coming when January turns to February and the Yankees start descending on Tampa for spring training.

“Now you aren’t talking about retirement any more, now you are talking about temptation,’’ said Rivera, who was introduced on the field before Game 2 of the World Series and got a hug from David Ortiz. “I am going to go as far as I can go where people don’t play baseball.’’

Rivera admitted he doesn’t know what he will be doing when David Robertson takes the first steps in Tampa toward replacing him at the end of games.

“I don’t know, I know that I will be busy,’’ Rivera said. “It’s something that is going to happen. I am going to be retired and enjoy it.’’

Rivera said he owes his family time because of all the time he missed playing baseball. However, he didn’t rule out a visit to George M. Steinbrenner Field in March.

“I may go back to say hello to the boys, spend time with them again, I don’t know,’’ Rivera said. “I hope that my feelings will continue with what they are right now. If I am in Tampa, I will take a half an hour, an hour. Why not? I love them. That’s what I have done my whole career. They won’t be a stranger to me. Those are my boys and they always will be.’’

The historic achievement award is not given annually, but whenever the commissioner feels a person or group has achieved a “major impact” on the sport. The first recipients were Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa after their home run chase of 1998. Other recipients were Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Roberto Clemente, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, Rickey Henderson, Rachel Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki and the 2001 Seattle Mariners.