Metro

Pol proposes bill to name block after Mariano Rivera

This time the City Council saved one for Mo.

Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo (D-Bronx) introduced a bill Friday to name a block outside Yankee Stadium after Mariano Rivera, just a few weeks after a campaign launched by a fan and The Post to honor the Yankees’ ace relief pitcher.

“He’s a local hero and that’s what we use street co-naming efforts to honor — those who have contributed to the local community. What he accomplished as a Yankee will be part of New York City for centuries to come,” Arroyo told The Post.

She submitted the request to co-name one block — River Avenue at East 161st Street — “Rivera Avenue.”

The proposal must be approved by the full council, which is scheduled to vote on a package of street co-namings before year’s end.

Arroyo acknowledged it’s unusual, and even against council rules, to name a street after someone who is still alive.

But she said she went to bat for Rivera because he’s such a big hit with her constituents, who demanded recognition for the retiring popular pitcher.

Bronx Bombers fan Thomas Ferrera persuaded Arroyo, whose district includes Yankee Stadium, to file the paperwork.

“Mariano Rivera’s inspiration and class has done so much for not only New York City but for the game of baseball,” Ferrera said in his pitch.

“To honor the greatest closer of all time, if not one of the best baseball players of all time, rally together with us to have New York City change the popular River Avenue behind Yankee Stadium to Rivera Avenue,” he added.

After The Post proposed the tribute last month, the movement gained steam.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn quickly came out in support, saying “many New Yorkers and many council members would enthusiastically support renaming River Avenue in his honor.”

Her staff pointed out that while streets can only be co-named for the deceased, the living can be honored through a separate procedure which requires re-naming a block without the official co-name attached.

In July, baseball legend Willie Mays had two separate streets named after him in Washington Heights.