One was a Yankee bullpen savior the year Mariano Rivera busted up his knee. The other was a pest whose play against the Yanks prompted a colorful quote from Derek Jeter.
Both Rafael Soriano and Chone Figgins formally ended their playing careers this weekend, announcing their retirements. Soriano, who had signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays, had not reported to spring camp because of visa issues and Figgins had not played in the majors since 2014.
Soriano, of course, was the Yanks’ closer-in-waiting in 2012 when Rivera blew out his knee shagging fly balls in batting practice in Kansas City.