BOSTON — The Yankees did not reach the playoffs, but Mariano Rivera will be at the World Series.
Rivera will receive the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award in a ceremony at Fenway Park on Thursday.
The 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 — as historically bizarre as it seems now — were Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa after their home run chase of 1998.
Continuing the awkward theme, Barry Bonds (2002) and Roger Clemens (2004) also received the honor. Other recipients were Roberto Clemente, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, Rickey Henderson, Rachel Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki and the 2001 Seattle Mariners.
Rivera is retiring as the all-time saves leader with 652 and as arguably the most dominant postseason pitcher ever with 42 saves and a 0.70 ERA in 141 innings. He is the last active player who will wear the No. 42, which was retired across the sport in honor of Jackie Robinson.
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Red Sox manager John Farrell said Clay Buchholz, who is battling shoulder tightness, will start Game 4 in St. Louis. Jake Peavy is expected to pitch in Game 3.
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The only visual for the Red Sox on Michael Wacha has been on video since none of their hitters have faced the Cardinals right-hander who is scheduled to start Game 2.
Asked to compare the 22-year-old stud to another pitcher, Farrell couldn’t.
“Without seeing him first-hand I don’t know that we could go that far yet, but it’s clear that in a very short period of time he has not feared the environment,’’ Farrell said of Wacha, who is 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA in three postseason games in which he has whiffed 22 batters and walked four in 21 innings. “He is a strike-thrower with two premium pitches, fastball and change-up. To do it at this time of the year in which he is, at the age he is, to me that’s what stands out the most.’’
Wacha doesn’t seem overwhelmed with the enormity of his assignment. What he does understand is Fenway can cause problems other parks can’t.
“This is a kind of tricky little ballpark with the dimensions and that kind of stuff. One pitch can really change a game,’’ Wacha said. “You try not to think too much about it, just try to approach it just like any other game, any other stadium.’’
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Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said he believes there is more to being a Cardinal than how his players perform on the field.
“We hold ourselves to such a high level of how we play, not just wins and losses but how you go about your business,’’ Matheny said. “I think it’s been something that’s just been passed down.’’
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Despite hitting .188 (3-for-16) against the Tigers in the ALCS, Jonny Gomes was Farrell’s choice to start in left field in Game 1 against right-hander Adam Wainwright. Farrell could have used Daniel Nava, a switch-hitter.
Gomes was 0-for-3 in Boston’s 8-1 win Wednesday night.
Nava might get into the lineup when the Series shifts to St. Louis for Games 3, 4 and 5 for his defense.
“With more ground to cover in St. Louis that will be something that will be factored in with the lineup over there,’’ Farrell said.