[Rivera] said he appreciates what Papelbon ... has done in Boston. Longevity is the hardest part, Rivera said, adding that, "I've been doing this for years." ...

But Rivera's abilities are only part of the reason he is revered. Rangers shortstop Michael Young remembers last year's All-Star Game in Detroit, when he was sitting in the dugout with Rivera next to him. A moment later, Gary Sheffield came up to Young.

"Sheff goes, 'That's a legend right there sitting next to you,'" Young said, "and Gary Sheffield is a potential Hall of Famer (yet) he's the one who singles out Mo. Those are the kinds of things that stick out in your mind. ... (Rivera) might be the most respected player in the league." ...

Alex Rodriguez shrugged when asked about Guillen tapping Rivera ahead of the other closers to handle the ninth inning tonight, as if it was obvious.

"If my life depended on it - if my daughter's life depended on it - I'd want Mariano Rivera closing," A-Rod said. "Wouldn't you?"

... When Michael Young's two-run triple gave the AL a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, it was time for Rivera to reward Guillen for his decision.

"I was honored by that," Rivera said. "We have a lot of young guys here, but he used me -- the old man." ...

"I said, 'Wow, it would be nice if we're up by one in the ninth, we can call Mariano'" Guillen said. "I know how Mr. Joe Torre feels when he's on the mound. He's done that in tough situations for so many years; we know we have confidence when Mariano was on the mound."

"He's pretty much automatic," Jeter said. "When he comes in the game, the feeling is that it's over with."