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          New York Yankees

          Joe: Betances has been like Mo in '96

          Joe Girardi said Dellin Betances's 2014 performance reminds him of a young Mariano Rivera in 1996. Getty Images
          • Andrew Marchand, ESPN Senior WriterJul 19, 2014, 12:26 PM ET
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              Andrew Marchand is a senior writer for ESPNNewYork. He also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, ESPNews, ESPN New York 98.7 FM and ESPN Radio. He joined ESPN in 2007 after nine years at the New York Post. Follow Andrew on Twitter »
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          NEW YORK -- It didn't take long to replace Mariano Rivera, did it?

          Well, not exactly, but when asked whom Dellin Betances' performance this year reminds him of, Yankees manager Joe Girardi brought up Saint Mo and his first full season.

          Dellin Betances

          Dellin Betances

          #68 RP
          New York Yankees

          2014 STATS

          • GM41

          • W4

          • L0

          • BB16

          • K87

          • ERA1.42

          "Mo was that way in '96," Girardi said. "That was the kind of season Mo burst onto the scene with. He became a pretty good closer."

          Let's see the tale of the tape: In 41 games, Betances has pitched 57 innings, striking out 87 with a 1.42 ERA. In 1996, Rivera threw 77 innings in his first 41 games. His ERA was 2.22. He struck out 85.

          Betances said he was "disappointed" to not get into the All-Star Game.

          "I would have liked to have seen him get in," Girardi said. "Obviously, you don't want to see him go two or three innings, but I understand that. You have to hold somebody back. That's why I talk about if you go, you should get a chance to play in the game. I really do. But that is not the way it is."

          Girardi said that All-Star manager John Farrell or a member of his staff checked in with the Yankees' coaches, presumably meaning pitching coach Larry Rothschild. Betances pitched the Friday prior to the All-Star Game on Tuesday.

          "I'm not going to say what we said or didn't say," Girardi said. "Dellin's worked a lot. Like I said, Dellin was one of the guys that was save 'til the end. We were OK with that, but I still wish that everyone could get one batter or one at-bat or in the field for one inning. I just like that. Could he use the rest? The rest didn't hurt him. I can tell you that. I think if you go, everyone should get to play. Everyone."