She Met Reggie, Now She'll Meet Yankees' Closer Mariano Rivera

Morris Plains resident Lisa Piernot will have a longtime dream fulfilled Monday evening when she meets her sports idol, Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees.

Here is her story:

I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. I lived at 161st and Gerard Ave., two blocks from Yankee Stadium. The day my mother gave birth to my brother, Aug. 14, 1968, my grandpa walked me across the street to my first Yankee game at age 3.

From that day on my life changed. There was something magical about it to me. I was mesmerized by the stadium. I was intrigued by the fast moving ball. I was enamored by the fans.

The following weekend, I asked "Bampa. can we go to the ball game?" He answered with his thick Greek accent "Lisa likeda da Jankees." I laughed and smiled. From that point on, it became a ritual that on home games,  grandpa would hold my hand walking under the "El" to the ball game.

In 1976, my parents were on vacation in Puerto Rico and were seated nightly at a table with a nice couple. The man at the table was named "Reg." Every night for 5 nights they dined together and Reg and dad would head to the casino and gamble while mom would go to bed early. The last night, when dressed and seated for dinner, my dad looked at Reg and realized he had a World Series Ring on.

At that point he asked "Are you Reggie Jackson?" Reggie responded "You ate and gambled with me for 5 nights and did not know? I thought you were being polite!" He was a gentleman and a delight to be with and became my hero.

I continued going to more and more Yankee games yearly. I followed them through good times and bad times, staying a loyal fan with Reggie Jackson my hero. No matter who came or went, Reggie was always my idol, hero and star ... Mr. October.

Until a young pitcher named Mariano Rivera , around 1995, caught my attention. I knew that the Yankees had found another man that would end up being as big if not a bigger hero (sorry Reggie) as Reggie Jackson to me.

I followed every stat, every game and every pitch he threw. I had never seen determination, dedication ,nor talent like him before in any Yankee pitcher (aside from Goose Gossage).

I started going to more games to see him. For the past 10 years I traveled to Tampa for spring training  (which I will leave for in 2 weeks). I could not resist the draw from The Greatest Closer in the World, Mariano Rivera. This past season I went to more then 45 home games and about half a dozen away games.

I have met most of the team from 1996 until today, either at a photo shoot for them or, in the dugout, or on the field during spring training. The only person I have yet to meet is the man I idolize most. Mariano Rivera.

Last week I was told he was having a Meet and Greet, one on one, at Steiner headquarters, New Rochelle. I could not resist. I bought the package and said, if I don't do it, I may never again get the chance to personally meet him and ask him, "At age 10 what did you think you would be doing at age 40?"

Tomorrow (Monday) at 6pm, my dreams will come true. Up to New Rochelle I will go. I will meet and speak for an hour with The Greatest Closer ever in baseball history, my idol, Mariano Rivera.