Mariano Rivera is spending his first spring training in retirement and has no regrets about his decision to leave the game.
“It’s definitely different because I’ve been in baseball so many years,” Rivera said. “But at the same time I’m with my wife and kids and I’m enjoying what I’m doing with my family and the next chapter in my life. … I miss it, I do miss it. But I miss my family too. I’m fine.”
Rivera briefly will get back into baseball when the Yankees visit Rivera’s native Panama next month to play two exhibition games against the Marlins in the Legend Series at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City.
That likely will be the first time he speaks to Derek Jeter since the shortstop announced he would follow Rivera into retirement after this season.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet,” Rivera said during a conference call Wednesday promoting his association with the Panama games. Proceeds from the games will benefit his foundation. “I want to do it in person and congratulate him on his career. It’s a decision he made [based] on the way he feels. He wanted to move on. I can respect that.”
But that doesn’t mean Rivera saw it coming.
“For sure, I was one of guys that said they will have to pull his uniform off of his body to take him out,” Rivera said. “I was wrong. It was a surprise for me. But at the same time, if he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Though Jeter said he doesn’t know what to expect on his farewell tour, Rivera would like to see him get a send-off similar to his.
“It will be better, I hope, because he deserves it,” Rivera said. “He has given everything to the game. … I will be praying for him to stay healthy the whole year so he can really enjoy it.”
So far, Jeter said his legs and surgically repaired ankle feel good, and he doesn’t expect to be limited.
As for Rivera, he remained in one piece during his last season after right knee surgery sidelined him in 2012.
His emotional finale in The Bronx left him content, but he admitted he needed to adjust.
“Right now I would be in Florida, but I understand that all things must come to an end,” Rivera said in Spanish after insisting he won’t be stepping on the mound in Panama. “I miss hanging out and joking with my teammates. And of course, I miss throwing, competing, which is something I always loved and it is something I will miss for the rest of my life. But I am happy at home.”