SUMMER SCHOOL: Yankees fill-in closer Rafael Soriano has made an impact off the field as well, like visiting children at St. Raymond Elementary in The Bronx (inset). (Anthony J. Causi)
Rafael Soriano sat in an SUV on River Avenue, gazing to his right at the edifice that is Yankee Stadium. On this side of the ballpark rest enormous, promotional banners of the Yankees’ biggest stars: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and more.
No Rafael Soriano, though, and the Yankees’ interim closer would like that to change.
“I want to show the fact that I’m going to be there, a workhorse,” he told The Post through Yankees community relations consultant Ray Negron. “I want to be here.”
“He should have [a banner],” Yankees president Randy Levine agreed. “Based on his performance, he should have one.”
It has been (sorry) a banner 2012 for the soft-spoken right-hander, one critical to the Yankees’ AL East title. But it’s far from over, as Soriano knows. As the Yankees kick off their quest tonight to win a 28th World Series title, they will look to Soriano to fill the enormous shoes of the injured Mariano Rivera, baseball’s best-ever closer.
“I won’t change the routine,” Soriano said, looking ahead. “I’m going to go forward like it’s another game and give it everything I’ve got.”
The 32-year-old has taken a circuitous route to this high-pressure, high-profile role, and he benefited from the help of friends up and down the Yankees’ hierarchy. In the process, he has embraced not only his Yankees job, but also the Yankees community. On Sept. 21, Soriano received the “Most Valuable Yankee” award from the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
It was that day when I rode with Soriano and Negron from the Stadium to St. Raymond Elementary in the Bronx, where an auditorium full of young students greeted Soriano with screams and cheers. Soriano, wearing a dark, pinstriped suit, and sunglasses, spoke just three words in English: “Let’s go Yankees!” That sufficed in firing up the crowd.
“If you could see where I came from, and if you saw the poverty that’s been around me, then you would understand why I have to do what I have to do,” said Soriano, who grew up in the Dominican Republic. “I wholeheartedly believe in God, and I know God talked to me to let me know there’s things I have to do. I’m a chosen one, and I’ve chosen to do baseball to help the people that I need to help.”
Soriano has taken a special interest in St. Raymond student Jerry Gonzalez, 11, who lost his mother, his sister and two grandparents in the horrible Bronx River Parkway accident on April 29, when an SUV drove off the side of the road and plunged onto the Bronx Zoo, killing seven people. Hours before Wednesday’s Red Sox-Yankees game at the Stadium — the final game of the regular season, one the Yankees badly
wanted to win to clinch the division — a relaxed-looking Soriano stood on the field with Gonzalez, offering him tips on his pitching delivery.
The scene exemplified the transformation that has occurred since Soriano’s controversial arrival in January 2011 and a rocky first season, in which Soriano perpetually wore a mopey expression.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted, at Soriano’s introductory news conference, that he opposed giving Soriano a three-year, $35-million contract. Levine and Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner pushed for the move, which indeed seemed suspect last year when Soriano suffered a right elbow injury and alienated folks with his dourness.
Time, good health and necessity heal such wounds, however. Soriano helped the Yankees as a seventh-inning setup man in the second half last year, and when Rivera suffered a season-ending right knee injury — and David Robertson fizzled and suffered his own injury in a very brief audition — the former Braves and Rays closer
Soriano stepped in and thrived. He converted 42 of 46 save opportunities.
“I think it takes every player some time to adjust to New York,” manager Joe Girardi said. “But I think his adjustment was more in his role. He’s been in a role this year where his role was extremely familiar. “
Girardi, Levine and Negron are among those whom Soriano credits for his transition. Levine essentially took ownership of the decision to sign Soriano, checking in with him regularly and serving as a resource, particularly during last year’s tough beginning. When the Yankees clinched the AL East title in 2011, Soriano celebrated by dousing Levine with champagne.
“He’s my friend,” Soriano said. “If I can’t pour a little champagne on his head, then what good is it?”
“I’m very fond of him,” Levine said, “and we’ve become friends.”
Negron has coordinated and executed Soriano’s appearances
at Bronx schools, and the longtime Yankees employee has shared with Soriano his tales of pinstriped past. Soriano particularly was intrigued by Negron’s chapter in “Yankee Miracles,” his new memoir, on Thurman Munson and how dedicated the Yankees’ captain was to his family.
On Saturday, July 14, Soriano saved a Yankees victory over the Angels and went straight to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, where he boarded a private plane for the Dominican Republic. The Yankees granted him permission to fly home for the night — about a four-hour flight — to celebrate the 15th-birthday celebration, or Quinceanera, of his daughter Rafaella. Soriano left home early the next morning and returned to The Bronx in time for the Yankees’ early afternoon game.
“Family things are important,” Girardi said. “You keep your fingers crossed that there are no delays, but usually if there’s a weather delay in New York, we’re not playing, anyway.”
His comfort with the Yankees and theirs with him will be tested this winter, when Soriano can opt out of the final year of his deal. Instead of making $14 million in 2013, he can receive a $1.5 million buyout and explore free agency. Rivera’s announced intention to return clouds the issue of Soriano’s role next year and figures to impact his decision.
“I haven’t thought about that,” said Soriano, who is represented by Scott Boras. “I haven’t talked to them about it. It hasn’t even really hit my head at all.
“I’m enjoying this. It’s been a great experience.”
For The Man Replacing Mariano, it’s about to get even greater or far worse. If he makes a parade possible, and he remains a Yankee, he will be far from the only one calling for a Soriano banner on River Avenue.
kdavidoff@nypost.com