Tom Rowe

Contributor

Whenever Mariano Rivera, the great New York Yankees relief pitcher, left the mound following one of his late-inning performances, his poker-faced demeanor never indicated whether he had emerged the victor or had been humbled by defeat. His facial expression and body language were always stoic-like; not at all mirroring the fist-pumping, rah-rah types who eked out a win, or the expletive-filled, glove-throwing tirades exhibited by many losers.

Rivera, who saved more games (652) than any other pitcher in Major League Baseball history, toiled 19 years for the Bronx Bombers, and is a lock to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next summer in his first year of eligibility.

Much like Rivera, John Pluta’s demeanor prior to, during and after a football game was every bit as stoic as the former Yankees hurler. He didn’t berate his players, criticize the officials or heap unnecessary praise upon himself. Instead, he went quietly about racking up the best winning percentage of any Norwich grid mentor with more than three years of service. And, like Rivera, who will certainly enter the hallowed halls of Cooperstown in 2019, Pluta will take his rightful place among Purple greats when his plaque is unveiled during ceremonies at the eighth annual Norwich High School Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this fall.