Mariano Rivera

[Sweet Lu]

Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo",[1] Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer. A 12-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Rivera ranks first in MLB history in games finished (873) and second in saves (594). His achievements include winning the American League (AL) Rolaids Relief Man Award five times, the 1999 World Series MVP Award, and the 2003 AL Championship Series MVP Award.

Rivera was signed by the Yankees organization in 1990 as an amateur free agent in Panama, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1995. Initially a starting pitcher, he struggled at the position at the major league level and consequently was converted to a relief pitcher. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees' closer in 1997. In the following years, he established himself as one of baseball's top relievers, leading the major leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. His presence in the late innings of games to record the final outs has played an instrumental role in the Yankees' success in the late-1990s and 2000s. His pitching repertoire consists primarily of one pitch—a sharp-breaking, mid-90s mile per hour (mph) cut fastball that has been called an all-time great pitch.[2]

Rivera is regarded as one of the most dominant closers in baseball history.[3] In contrast to the effusiveness and volatility that typifies the closer role, Rivera is distinguished by his calm, placid demeanor and consistent play; he has finished 12 seasons with an earned run average (ERA) less than 2.50, and a record 15 consecutive seasons with at least 25 saves. An exceptional postseason performer,[4] he holds postseason records for saves (42) and ERA (0.71), among other records. Sportswriters anticipate Rivera will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame upon retirement.[5] He intends to work in philanthropy after his baseball career.

Early lifeMariano Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama, on November 29, 1969, to Mariano, Sr. and Delia Rivera.[6] His father worked as a ship captain in the fishing industry.[7] Rivera has one older sister, Delia, and two younger brothers, Alvaro and Giraldo.[8] He grew up in the Panamanian fishing village of Puerto Caimito—a town he described as "poor"[9]—frequently playing soccer with his friends. They also played baseball in the streets by substituting milk cartons for gloves and tree branches for bats,[2] and by fashioning balls by taping wads of shredded fishing nets and beat-up baseballs with electrical tape.[10] Rivera used this makeshift equipment until his father bought him his first leather glove when he was 12 years old.[6] He thought of baseball as a hobby and did not seriously consider playing professionally.[10] While attending Pablo Sanchez High School,[2] Rivera played soccer, but his aspirations of becoming a professional player ended after a series of ankle injuries.[11] After graduating from high school at age 16, he worked six-day weeks on a commercial boat on which his father was captain, catching shrimp and sardines.[7][10] Rivera did not consider taking up the profession as an adult though, as he thought the job was "way too tough", and he wanted to become a mechanic.[2][12] As a 19-year-old, he had to abandon a capsizing 120-short-ton (110 t) commercial boat, all but convincing him to give up fishing as a career.[2]

In 1988, Rivera began to play baseball as a shortstop for Panamá Oeste, an amateur team that represented his local district.[7] Herb Raybourn, the New York Yankees' director of Latin American operations, saw athleticism in Rivera but did not project him to be a major league shortstop.[13] A year later, Panamá Oeste's pitcher performed so poorly that Rivera volunteered to pitch.[7] He excelled at the position, prompting his teammates to contact Yankees scout Chico Heron. Two weeks later, Rivera was invited to a Yankees tryout camp in Panama City where Raybourn was visiting.[7] Raybourn was surprised to find Rivera pitching at the camp, since scouts passed on him as a shortstop a year prior.[13] Although Rivera had no formal pitching training and threw only 85–87 miles per hour (137–140 kilometres per hour), Raybourn was impressed by Rivera's athleticism and smooth pitching motion, along with the ease with which he threw.[7] Viewing Rivera as a raw talent, Raybourn signed the amateur free agent to a contract with a US$3,000 signing bonus ($5,042 today) on February 17, 1990.[2][7]

Professional baseball careerMinor leagues (1990–1995)After signing his contract in Panama with the Yankees organization, Rivera—who spoke no English at the time—left home for the first time. He flew to the United States to begin pitching for the Rookie level Yankees of the Gulf Coast League, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees.[10] At that point in his career, he was considered by scouts to be a "fringe prospect" at best,[14] but he made progress with a strong 1990 season for the GCL Yankees. Pitching mostly in relief, he allowed one earned run in 52 innings pitched—a 0.17 earned run average (ERA)—and he allowed only 24 baserunners.[15] His seven-inning no-hitter on the season's final day "put him on the map with the organization", according to manager Glenn Sherlock.[16] The following year, he ascended to the Class A level Greensboro Hornets of the South Atlantic League, where he started 15 of the 29 games he pitched in. Despite a 4–9 win–loss record, he recorded a 2.75 ERA in 114 2⁄3 innings pitched and struck out 123 batters while walking only 36 batters.[15] New York Yankees manager Buck Showalter took notice of Rivera's strong strikeout-to-walk ratio, calling it "impressive in any league" and stating, "This guy is going to make it."[17]

In 1992, Rivera was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Fort Lauderdale Yankees of the Florida State League (FSL). He started 10 games in Fort Lauderdale, compiling a 5–3 win–loss record and a 2.28 ERA.[15] He attempted to improve the movement on his slider by snapping his wrist in his pitching motion, but he inadvertently caused damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.[18] He had elbow surgery in August 1992 to repair the damage, ending his season and briefly interrupting his minor league career.[18] It was expected that he would require Tommy John surgery, but during the procedure, Rivera's doctors determined that he did not need ligament replacement.[19] His rehabilitation coincided with the 1992 expansion draft to fill the rosters for the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies expansion teams. Rivera was left unprotected by the Yankees but was not drafted.[2] He successfully rehabilitated his arm in the early part of 1993 and resumed pitching that year. He first joined the Rookie level Yankees to make two abbreviated starts, before returning to the Class A level Hornets to start 10 more games.[15]

In 1994, he ascended from the Class A-Advanced level Tampa Yankees of the FSL to the Double-A level Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Eastern League, and then to the Triple-A level Columbus Clippers of the International League. For the year, Rivera finished with a strong 10–2 record in 22 starts, although he struggled with Columbus, recording a 5.81 ERA in six starts.[15] He began the 1995 season with Columbus with the ranking of ninth-best prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America.[20] At the time, he primarily threw fastballs, although his pitching repertoire included a slider and changeup as secondary pitches.[18]

Major leagues (1995–present)1995–1997After opening the 1995 season with Columbus, Rivera made his major league debut against the California Angels on May 23, 1995, as a starting pitcher. Replacing an injured Jimmy Key, Rivera pitched poorly in a 10–0 loss.[21][22] He experienced mixed success as a major league starter and as a result, he split time between the Yankees and their Columbus minor league affiliate.[20] As a 25-year-old rookie with prior major arm surgery, Rivera's role on the team was not guaranteed. Management once considered trading him to the Detroit Tigers for David Wells, but Yankees general manager Gene Michael quickly called off negotiations when he learned that Rivera began to throw at 95–96 mph (153–154 km/h) in one of his starts, 6 mph (9.7 km/h) faster than his previous average velocity. Rivera attributes his inexplicable improvement to God.[23] He also participated in a two-hit shutout of the Chicago White Sox on July 4, when he recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts.[20] Overall, he finished his first season in the major leagues with a 5–3 record and a 5.51 ERA.[24] His improvement during the year and his success in the 1995 American League Division Series, in which he pitched 5 1⁄3 scoreless innings of relief, convinced Yankees management to keep him and move him into the bullpen the following season as a full-time relief pitcher

In 1996, Rivera served primarily as a setup pitcher for closer John Wetteland, typically pitching in the seventh and eighth innings before Wetteland pitched in the ninth.[2] Their effectiveness gave the Yankees a 70–3 win–loss record that season when leading after six innings, essentially shortening the games for their opponents by three innings.[28] Across games between April 19 and May 21, Rivera pitched 26 consecutive scoreless innings, including 15 consecutive hitless innings.[29] In the regular season, Rivera finished with a 2.09 ERA in 107 2⁄3 innings pitched and set a Yankees single-season record for strikeouts by a reliever (130).[29] In the postseason, he allowed just one earned run in 14 1⁄3 innings pitched,[30] helping the Yankees advance to and win the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves for the franchise's first World Series championship since 1978. He finished third in the voting for the American League (AL) Cy Young Award, given annually to the league's best pitcher based on voting by baseball writers.[31]

Rivera impressed Yankees management enough that they chose not to re-sign Wetteland, who became a free agent in the offseason. They subsequently installed Rivera in the role of the Yankees' closer for the 1997 season to typically pitch the ninth innings of games.[2] In April, MLB retired the uniform number 42 league-wide to honor Jackie Robinson, although Rivera was one of a dozen players allowed to continue wearing the number per a grandfather clause.[32] Rivera's transition from setup man to closer was not seamless; he blew three of his first six save opportunities,[33] and he indicated that he was initially uncomfortable in the role.[34] Eventually, he settled into his new duties, earning his first All-Star selection,[35] and recording 43 saves in 52 opportunities with a 1.88 ERA in the regular season.[24] Rivera also added a cut fastball to his pitching repertoire after accidentally discovering how to throw the pitch.[36] However, Rivera was not as successful in the postseason. In the 1997 American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians, he blew a save in Game 4 by allowing a game-tying home run to Sandy Alomar, Jr., with the Yankees four outs from advancing to the next round.[23] The Yankees eventually lost that game and the next, eliminating them from the playoffs.

1998–2001Members of the Yankees coaching staff were concerned that the disappointing end to the previous season would affect Rivera's performance in the future.[2] He put any such concerns to rest in the following seasons, as he became one of the best closers in the major leagues. He began regularly throwing a sharp-breaking cutter, which quickly became his signature pitch and earned a reputation for breaking hitters' bats.[23] In 1998, he saved 36 games in 41 opportunities and finished with a 1.91 ERA.[24] In the process, he became the centerpiece of a reliable bullpen that aided in the Yankees' late-1990s success, with relievers Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton, and Ramiro Mendoza providing dependable middle relief.[37] Along with his success and cut fastball, Rivera's entrance music became part of his identity as a closer; the song "Enter Sandman" by the heavy metal band Metallica was selected for him by the Yankee Stadium scoreboard production staff,[38] as Rivera was indifferent about his entrance music.[39] In the 1998 postseason, Rivera saved six games and pitched 13 1⁄3 scoreless innings,[30] and he clinched the Yankees' sweep of the San Diego Padres in the 1998 World Series, capping off a season in which the Yankees won an MLB-record 125 games between the regular season and the postseason.

In 1999, Rivera was voted onto the All-Star team,[35] and he recorded a 1.83 ERA and an MLB-leading 45 saves in 49 opportunities.[40] This performance won him his first AL Rolaids Relief Man Award,[24] an annual award for the league's best closer based on their statistical performance. He was also given the World Series MVP Award for earning two saves and a win against the Braves in the 1999 World Series, in which he closed out the Yankees' championship title, his third. He finished 1999 by pitching 43 consecutive scoreless innings between the regular season and postseason,[41] and he finished third in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.[42] In the offseason, he lost his arbitration case, in which he requested an annual salary of US$9.25 million, but the US$7.25 million salary that the arbitrators awarded him instead set a baseball record for the highest arbitration award.[43] In the 2000 season, Rivera was again selected as an All-Star, and he ended the season with 36 saves in 41 opportunities and a 2.85 ERA.[24] In the postseason, he saved six games and allowed three earned runs in 15 2⁄3 innings.[30] He helped the Yankees defeat the New York Mets in the 2000 World Series by closing out a World Series championship for his team for the third consecutive year. It was his fourth championship title overall.

Rivera's postseason success during the Yankees' titles run earned him a reputation as an exceptional postseason performer.[23] Through 1998, he had allowed only two earned runs in 35 postseason innings—a 0.51 ERA[30]—qualifying him for the major leagues' record for lowest career postseason ERA; it is a record he still holds through 139 2⁄3 postseason innings.[21] From 1998 to 2001, he converted 23 consecutive postseason saves,[44] and from 1998 to 2000, he pitched 34 1⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason;[44][45] both feats are also major league records.

Prior to the 2001 season, with one year left on his contract, Rivera signed the first long-term deal of his career, agreeing to a four-year, US$39.99 million contract.[46] That season, Rivera was voted onto the All-Star team for a third consecutive year.[35] He finished the season with a 2.34 ERA, a closer career-high 80 2⁄3 innings pitched,[24] and an MLB-leading 50 saves in 57 opportunities—the second time he led the Majors in saves.[40] This earned him his second AL Rolaids Relief Man Award.[2] However, his year ended with one of his most infamous moments; in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he blew a save in the bottom of the ninth inning, in part due to his own throwing error. He lost the Series later in the inning by allowing Luis Gonzalez's bloop single with the bases loaded to score the winning run.[2]

2002–2005Injuries limited Rivera's playing time in 2002. He was placed on the disabled list three times for groin and shoulder strains,[47] and he pitched only 46 innings while accumulating just 28 saves in 32 opportunities.[24] Rivera also missed the first month of the 2003 season with another groin injury.[48] Despite concerns by sportswriters about his reliability,[49] Rivera quickly returned to form after re-assuming his closer role on May 1.[48] He recorded 40 saves in 46 opportunities with a 1.66 ERA in 64 games in the 2003 regular season.[24]

In the 2003 American League Championship Series against the arch-rival Boston Red Sox, Rivera delivered one of the best postseason performances of his career. In Game 7, he entered in the ninth inning with the score tied 5–5 and pitched three scoreless innings, en route to becoming the game's winning pitcher. Though Aaron Boone's eleventh-inning walk-off home run clinched the Yankees' World Series berth, Rivera was named the series' MVP for recording two saves and a win.[50] He celebrated by running to the mound and collapsing in joy and exhaustion to thank God, as Boone rounded the bases and was met by his teammates at home plate.[50] The Yankees lost in the 2003 World Series to the Florida Marlins; Rivera saved five games and allowed only one earned run in 16 innings pitched that postseason.[30]

Prior to the 2004 season, with a year left on his contract, he signed a two-year extension worth US$21 million, with an option for a third year in 2007.[51] The 2004 season was another stellar year for Rivera. In addition to becoming the 17th pitcher in MLB history to record 300 saves,[52] he made the All-Star team with 32 saves at the break, then an American League record.[35][53] Rivera finished the season with a 1.94 ERA, and he led the majors in saves for a third time with a career-best 53 saves in 57 opportunities.[24][40] He won his third AL Rolaids Relief Man Award and finished third in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.[54]

Following the Yankees' victory in the 2004 American League Division Series against the Twins, Rivera returned home to Panama after two of his relatives had been killed in a swimming accident at his home.[4] Despite his status being in doubt for the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, he returned to New York for Game 1 on the same day the funeral was held in Panama. He recorded a save later that night, as well as in Game 2.[2] Although the Yankees led three-games-to-none in the series, Rivera blew saves in Games 4 and 5, and the Red Sox won both games in extra innings to avoid elimination. In Game 4, pinch runner Dave Roberts stole second base off Rivera and scored on a base hit to tie the game.[55] In Game 5, Rivera entered with a one-run lead with runners on base and allowed a sacrifice fly to tie the score.[55] Although he allowed just one earned run in the 2004 postseason, he blew three of five save opportunities in the two series.[30] The Red Sox' comeback victories helped them become the first team in MLB history to win a best-of-seven series in which they trailed three-games-to-none.[55]

Following a career high in appearances in 2004, Rivera did not throw during the offseason, unlike previous years.[56] His 2005 season began on a low note. After missing time in spring training with elbow bursitis, he blew his first two saves of the season against the Red Sox, marking four consecutive blown opportunities against Boston, dating back to the previous postseason.[57] Fans at Yankee Stadium booed Rivera,[58] and baseball journalists speculated if his days as a dominant pitcher were over.[56][57][59] He was subsequently cheered by Red Sox fans during pre-game introductions at Fenway Park the following week, in recognition of his struggles against the Red Sox. He took the ovation with a good sense of humor and tipped his cap to the crowd.[60]

Rivera responded in dominating fashion and finished 2005 with his greatest statistical season to that point.[61] He made the All-Star team,[35] converted 31 consecutive save opportunities,[62] and finished the season with 43 saves in 47 opportunities. He set new career-best numbers in many statistical categories, including ERA (1.38) and walks plus hits per inning pitched, or WHIP (0.87).[24] Rivera limited opposing hitters to a batting average against of only .177, then a closer career best.[24] Along with winning his fourth AL Rolaids Relief Man Award, Rivera finished second in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award to starter Bartolo Colón and ninth for the AL Most Valuable Player Award—his highest finishes in voting for both awards

2006–2008

Rivera pitching in 2007Despite starting 2006 with a subpar April, Rivera made his third consecutive All-Star team, with a 1.76 ERA and 19 saves entering the All-Star break.[64] He saved the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, tying a record for three All-Star Game saves.[65] That summer, on July 16, he reached another milestone, becoming the fourth pitcher in major league history to record 400 saves.[66] He was sidelined for most of September with a strain in his throwing elbow,[67] but he finished the 2006 season with 34 saves in 37 opportunities and an ERA of 1.80—the fourth consecutive season he posted a sub-2.00 ERA.[24] For a second consecutive year, he earned the Delivery Man of the Year Award, voted on annually by fans.[68]

Before the 2007 season, Rivera attempted to extend his contract, which was to expire at the end of the year. Yankees management refused to negotiate near the start of the season, prompting him to respond that he would consider free agency after the season.[69] Rivera had an uncharacteristically poor month in April, blowing his first two save opportunities, compiling two losses, and surrendering nine earned runs in 7 2⁄3 innings.[70] Concerned sportswriters attributed his struggles to infrequent use, as the Yankees presented him with few situations to enter a game.[71] Rivera recovered, saving 30 of his next 32 opportunities and posting a 2.26 ERA over the final five months of the season.[70] He also passed John Franco for third place on the all-time saves list by recording his 425th career save.[72] Still, 2007 was his weakest statistical regular season as a closer, as he recorded closer career worsts in earned runs (25), hits (68), and ERA (3.15). His 30 saves in 34 opportunities were his second-lowest total since 1997.[24] After the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round, he stated his intentions to test the free agent market;[73] he was unhappy that long-time Yankees manager Joe Torre was not re-signed and that the team's ownership was transitioning from George Steinbrenner to his sons.[74] Speculation that Rivera would sign elsewhere ended when he agreed to a three-year, US$45 million contract with the Yankees, making him the highest-paid reliever in baseball history.[75]

In 2008, Rivera posted career-best numbers in many statistical categories.Rivera rebounded in 2008, starting the year with 16 scoreless innings and 28 consecutive saves converted, both personal bests to start a season.[21] His first-half performance, highlighted by a 1.06 ERA and 23 saves in as many opportunities, earned him his ninth All-Star selection.[76] With the 2008 MLB All-Star Game being held at Yankee Stadium in the venue's final year of existence, a few sportswriters proposed making Rivera the AL's starting pitcher as a tribute to him and his home ballpark;[77][78] he instead was used as a reliever in the AL's extra-inning win. Despite struggling in non-save situations in the second half of the season,[21] he finished the season well and recorded two milestones in the final month: on September 15, he recorded his 479th save to pass Lee Smith for second all-time in regular season saves;[79] on September 21, in the final game in Yankee Stadium history, Rivera threw the final pitch, retiring the Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts on a ground-out.[80] After the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in his career, Rivera disclosed that he had suffered from shoulder pain throughout the year. Tests revealed calcification of the acromioclavicular joint in his throwing shoulder, for which he underwent minor arthroscopic surgery in the offseason.[81]

Rivera finished 2008 with perhaps the best individual season of his career. Along with a 1.40 ERA and 39 saves in 40 opportunities, he set career bests in multiple statistical categories, including WHIP (0.67), on-base plus slugging (OPS)-against (.422), batting average-against (.165), save conversion rate (97.5%), walks (6), earned runs (11), and blown saves (1). He averaged 9.81 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, his best mark as a closer.[24][35] He had a historical season in terms of his control, as his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 12.83 made him the second pitcher since 1900 to record a figure that high in a season.[21] He placed fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.[82]

2009–present

Rivera during the 2009 World Series victory parade, celebrating his fifth championshipRivera struggled early in 2009, allowing home runs on a more frequent basis, which led to speculation about his cutter's effectiveness and his shoulder's health at age 39.[83] As the season progressed, he pitched better, and he reached a historic milestone on June 28 by becoming the second pitcher to earn 500 regular season saves. In the same game, he recorded his first career run batted in by drawing a walk with the bases loaded against fellow closer Francisco Rodríguez.[84] Rivera earned a tenth All-Star selection with 23 saves in 24 opportunities and a 2.43 ERA in the first half.[85] At the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, he set a record by saving his fourth All-Star Game.[86] In the season's second half, Rivera dominated, allowing earned runs in only two of his final 40 appearances,[87] while setting a new personal best for consecutive save opportunities converted with 36.[88] He finished the regular season with a 1.76 ERA, 44 saves in 46 opportunities, and a 0.90 WHIP.[24] In the postseason, he pitched 16 innings, allowing one earned run and saving five games,[30] and he was on the mound to clinch the Yankees' victory in the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies—his fifth championship. He was the only closer among postseason teams that did not record a loss or blown save.[89] He collected several awards at season's end, including his third Delivery Man Award,[90] his fifth AL Rolaids Relief Man Award, and the 2009 Sporting News Pro Athlete of the Year Award.[91] ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick called Rivera the most valuable major league pitcher of the first decade of the 21st century.[92]

In 2010, Rivera and teammates Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada became the first trio in any of the four North American major sports leagues to play together on the same team in 16 consecutive seasons.[93] Rivera began with one of his best first halves, and he set a personal best streak of 24 consecutive batters retired in June.[94] He earned an 11th All-Star selection with a 1.05 ERA, 20 saves in 22 opportunities, and 0.64 WHIP in the first half,[95] but he withdrew from the game to rest lingering oblique and knee injuries.[96] His second-half performance was less dominant, and he struggled in September, recording three blown saves and a 4.76 ERA.[95] His final numbers included a strong 1.80 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, but his 33 saves in 38 opportunities and 6.75 strikeouts per 9 innings ratio were among the lowest of his career.[24] In the postseason, he pitched 6 1⁄3 scoreless innings while saving three games.[24] After becoming a free agent in the offseason, Rivera agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract to remain with the Yankees.[97]

In the offseason, all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman retired with a final tally of 601, leaving Rivera as the active lead in saves to start 2011 and 42 behind Hoffman's record.[98] On May 25, Rivera became the 15th pitcher to make 1,000 appearances, and the first to do so with a single team.[99] Rivera was named an All-Star for the 12th time with a 1.85 ERA and 22 saves in 26 opportunities at the break,[100] but for the second consecutive year, he decided to skip the game to rest injuries.[101] His road numbers in the first half, marked by a 4.85 ERA and all four blown saves, were decidedly weaker than his home numbers, which included a 0.00 ERA and 0.52 WHIP.

[Sweet Lu]

Player profileRivera's signature pitch is his cut fastball or "cutter". The pitch breaks sharply towards left-handed hitters, exhibiting late movement similar to a slider, but with the velocity of a fastball. He varies the movement on his cutter by adjusting the pressure he puts on the ball with his fingertips.[36] He almost exclusively throws cutters—according to baseball statistics website Fangraphs, 84.9% of Rivera's pitches in 2010 were cutters.[102] He occasionally mixes in a four-seam and two-seam fastball, and he throws all three of these pitches in the low-to-mid 90s mph.[23][103][104][105]

Rivera accidentally discovered the cutter while playing catch with Ramiro Mendoza in June 1997, finding that the fastballs he threw in the bullpen were moving sharply and unpredictably. After failing to straighten out the pitch and prevent the movement altogether, he accepted it and began to use the pitch in games, prominently featuring it beginning in 1998.[36] When asked where his ability to throw the pitch came from, he explained, "It was just from God. I didn't do anything. It was natural."[

Rivera's cut fastball is a respected pitch among major league hitters.[2][104] It frequently breaks the bats of hitters—Chipper Jones compared it to a "buzzsaw" after witnessing teammate Ryan Klesko break three bats in one plate appearance against Rivera in the 1999 World Series.[22][59] Jim Thome called it "the single best pitch ever in the game".[107] In 2004, ESPN.com ranked his cutter as the best "out pitch" in baseball.[108] Buster Olney described his cut fastball as "the most dominant pitch of a generation".[109] Although switch-hitters usually bat left-handed against right-handed pitchers to better see the ball's release point, many switch-hitters bat right-handed when facing the right-handed Rivera to avoid being jammed on their hands by his cutter.[110][111]

Rivera is well-known for his composure and calm, placid demeanor,[23] which contrasts with the emotional, demonstrative nature of many other closers.[112] Derek Jeter called him the "most mentally tough teammate [he's] ever played with".[61] On his ability to quickly forget bad performances, Rivera explained, "it doesn't matter what the results are in the game. You win or lose, you have to forget about it. Right on the spot... Because you have to play tomorrow, and the game that you're going to play tomorrow is not going to be the same game that you just played."[113]

Since Rivera relies on variations of a fastball, all of similar speed, much of his success can be attributed to his ability to consistently throw strikes.[114] His 4.04 career strikeout-to-walk ratio in the regular season ranks fourth-best in major league history.[115] Rivera's impeccable control is a product of his smooth, "fluid" pitching delivery,[103] as an easily repeatable throwing motion allows a pitcher to yield consistent results.[36]

Rivera is considered an exceptional athlete, distinguished by his slender physique and durability.[116] His propensity to shag balls during batting practice convinced scouts he could be a top AL center fielder. Buster Olney compared his regimen of physical preparation and guidelines for staying healthy to Satchel Paige's "Rules for Staying Young".[117]

Legacy"You know when you come to New York, you're going to get Mariano. It's not just before the game. I start thinking about him on the plane ride up. I know he's there waiting, and he'll be out there, and I will have to see him with the game on the line. So I start getting ready for him. I start thinking, 'What am I going to do to try to hit Mariano?'"

—Gabe Gross[36]Rivera has been a dominant reliever throughout his career, performing with a consistency and longevity uncharacteristic of the typical closer. His 15-year stint as the Yankees' closer is rare for a role commonly marked by volatility and turnover[71]—he is the longest tenured closer by more than nine years.[118] The 12-time All-Star is the majors' all-time leader with 873 games finished, and his 594 saves are the most in AL history and second-most all-time.[35][119] His save conversion rate of 89.19% is the best percentage among pitchers with at least 250 save opportunities.[120] He has finished 15 consecutive seasons with least 25 saves and 14 seasons with at least 30 saves, both of which are records.[121][122] Statistically, Rivera ranks as one of the top pitchers of his generation, amongst both starters and relievers; his WHIP (1.00) and ERA (2.23) are the lowest of any pitcher in the live-ball era, making him one of the top pitchers since 1920 in preventing runners from reaching base and scoring.[123][124] Rivera also has the best adjusted ERA+ (205) in MLB history, meaning his career ERA is 104% better than the league average, adjusted for ballpark.[125]

In the postseason, Rivera has recorded even stronger numbers.[4][5] He has a postseason win–loss record of 8–1 and WHIP of 0.77, and he holds numerous postseason records, including lowest ERA (0.71),[21] most saves (42),[126] most consecutive scoreless innings pitched (34 1⁄3),[44][45] most consecutive save opportunities converted (23),[44] and most appearances (94).[126] No pitcher has half as many postseason saves as he does.[5] Joe Torre, who managed Rivera for most of his career, said, "Let's face it. The regular season for Mo is great, but that's the cupcakes and the ice cream. What separates him from everybody else is what he's done in the postseason."[36] Rivera's dominance in postseason games has often led to him being utilized for two-inning appearances,[5] as he has a record-14 saves of this variety.[127] Between 1998 and 2008, he recorded 26 postseason saves of four or more outs; the second-highest total by any other pitcher was four such saves, and the rest of baseball combined had 33.[36] Among all players, Rivera ranks third all-time in win probability added (WPA) in the World Series with 2.40.[128] Reflecting on his postseason statistics, ESPN writer Jayson Stark pointed out that the Yankees' perennial appearances in the playoffs allowed Rivera to accumulate such lofty totals.[129] Life recognized his postseason success by naming him one of the 17 most "clutch" professional athletes.[130] In a 2009 ESPN.com poll, Rivera was voted one of the top five postseason players in MLB history.[131]

Rivera shakes Jorge Posada's hand after finishing a game.Many baseball experts unfavorably compare modern closers to those who pitched between the 1960s and 1980s.[112] The role of the modern closer has received criticism for becoming too specialized and easy; closers in past decades often pitched multiple innings and inherited runners when entering games, whereas modern closers are usually called upon to start the ninth inning with the bases empty.[112][132] Despite being utilized like a modern closer,[112] Rivera has achieved a reputation as an all-time great reliever, with many writers calling Rivera the greatest closer in baseball history.[3][23][133] Hall of Fame starter-turned-closer Dennis Eckersley called him "the best ever, no doubt",[22] while Trevor Hoffman said he "will go down as the best reliever in the game in history".[23] Buster Olney said, "No other player can instill calm in his team's fans as reliably as Mariano Rivera, the game's dominant closer and arguably the best relief pitcher of all time."[23] Torre said, "He's the best I've ever been around. Not only the ability to pitch and perform under pressure, but the calm he puts over the clubhouse."[51] Many baseball journalists consider Rivera to be the most valuable Yankees player from the team's late-1990s championship years.[61][134] Although voters have historically been reluctant to allow relievers into the Baseball Hall of Fame, sportswriters anticipate he will be voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, five years after retirement.[5][134][135][136]

Rivera is well respected among his peers for his professionalism. Fellow closer Joe Nathan said, "I look up to how he's handled himself on and off the field... You never see him show up anyone and he respects the game. I've always looked up to him and it's always a compliment to be just mentioned in the same sentence as him."[137] Michael Young said of Rivera, "I respect Mo more than anybody in the game. The guy goes out there, gets three outs and shakes (Jorge) Posada's hand. You appreciate someone who respects the game like he does, respects the people he plays with and against, and obviously his results speak for themselves."[138]

Rivera will be the last MLB player to wear the uniform number 42 on a regular basis, as he is the only active player still wearing the number after its league-wide retirement in 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson

Personal lifeRivera and his wife Clara have known each other since elementary school,[116] and they were married on November 9, 1991. They have three sons: Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel.[21] Rivera is a cousin of former Yankee Rubén Rivera.[21] Over the course of his professional career, Rivera learned English, beginning in 1991 with the Greensboro Hornets, when he realized none of his teammates spoke Spanish.[139] He is now a proponent of Latino players learning English and of American press members learning Spanish, in order to bridge the cultural gap.[140]

Rivera is a devout Christian. During his childhood, neither he nor his family attended church, but after a born-again experience in his early 20s, Rivera—and subsequently his parents—became religious.[116] He maintains that God has a reason for everything that happens. For example, he found his failure in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series easier to deal with when he learned of the consequences it had on a teammate. Had the Yankees won Game 7 and the World Series, teammate Enrique Wilson would have remained in New York a few extra days for the ticker tape parade and would have flown home to the Dominican Republic on American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 260 people aboard. Rivera told Wilson, "I am glad we lost the World Series, because it means that I still have a friend."[141] Rivera's pitching glove is inscribed "Phil. 4:13", in reference to the Bible verse Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me").[142]

Rivera is involved with philanthropic contributions in his native Panama, which include building an elementary school and a church, providing Christmas gifts to children, and developing a program that provides computer access and adult mentors to youths.[21] The Mariano Rivera Foundation annually distributes more than US$500,000 to underprivileged children in the US and Panama through church-based institutions. Rivera intends to dedicate himself to philanthropy after retiring from baseball.[116]

Rivera is a partner in a restaurant in New Rochelle, New York formerly called "Mo's New York Grill".[1] He is signed to endorsement deals with Nike sports apparel[143] and Canali, a premium men's clothing company. He is the first athlete Canali has used in a marketing campaign.[144] A 2011 list by the marketing firm Nielsen ranked Rivera as the second-most marketable player in baseball. The list accounted for personal attributes such as sincerity, approachability, experience, and influence.

[Sweet Lu]

Career highlightsAwards and honorsAward/Honor # of Times Dates Refs

American League All-Star 12 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

American League Championship Series MVP Award 1 2003

American League Player of the Week 2 May 26–June 1, 2008; June 22–28, 2009

American League Rolaids Relief Man Award 5 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009

Babe Ruth Award 1 1999

Clutch Performer of the Month 1 June 2010

Delivery Man of the Year Award 3 2005, 2006, 2009

Delivery Man of the Month Award 2 April 2008, July 2009

Sporting News Pro Athlete of the Year Award 1 2009

Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award 6 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009

This Year in Baseball's Closer of the Year Award 4 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009

Thurman Munson Award 1 2003

World Series MVP Award 1 1999

World Series champion 5 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009

[Sweet Lu]

RecordsStats updated through August 30, 2011

MLB Records Accomplishment Record Refs

Regular season

Highest career adjusted ERA+ (minimum 1,000 innings pitched) 205

Most saves in American League history 594

Most games finished 873

Highest save conversion rate (minimum 250 save opportunities) 89.19%

Most consecutive save opportunities converted at home 51

Most appearances with single team

Most appearances in American League history 1,031

Most seasons with at least 20 saves

Most seasons with at least 25 saves

Most consecutive seasons with at least 25 saves 15 (1997–2011)

Most seasons with at least 30 saves[nb 2] 14 (1997–2001, 2003–11)

Most consecutive seasons with at least 30 saves 9 (2003–11)

Most seasons with 20-plus saves and sub-2.00 ERA 10 (1997–99, 2003–06, 2008–10)

Most seasons with 20-plus saves, sub-2.00 ERA, and sub-1.00 WHIP 6 (1999, 2005–06, 2008–10)

Most saves for a single winning pitcher 68 (Andy Pettitte)

Most interleague saves 68

Most saves in a single ballpark 230 (original Yankee Stadium)

Postseason

Lowest career ERA (minimum 30 innings pitched) 0.71

Most saves 42

Most consecutive scoreless innings pitched 34 1⁄3

Most consecutive save opportunities converted 23

Most two-inning saves 14

Most appearances 94

Most saves in each postseason round 18 (LDS), 13 (LCS), 11 (WS)

Most appearances in each postseason round 37 (LDS), 33 (LCS), 24 (WS)

Lowest career ERA in Division Series history 0.33

Most saves to clinch series 9

Most times recording the final out of a series 16

Most times recording the final out of a World Series 4

Most consecutive postseasons with an appearance 13 (1995–2007)

All-Star Game

Most All-Star selections as reliever 12

Most All-Star Game saves 4

Yankees Records Accomplishment Record Refs

Regular season

Most saves 594

Most saves in single season 53 (2004)

Lowest career WHIP 1.00

Most strikeouts by a reliever in single season 130 (1996)

Highest strikeouts per 9 innings in single season 10.87 (1996)

Most consecutive save opportunities converted 36

1.^ Tied for most times with Éric Gagné

2.^ a b Tied for most times with Trevor Hoffman

Other accomplishmentsRivera has accomplished other feats in his career (as of 2010):

One of two pitchers to record at least 40 saves in seven separate seasons

One of two pitchers to record at least 50 saves in two separate seasons

Fourth pitcher to record 300 regular season saves with one team, and second pitcher to record 400 and 500 regular season saves with one team

One of nine pitchers to record at least 50 saves in a season

Named the relief pitcher on Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team

[LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE]

GREAT addition babe

[Sweet Lu]

thanks hun. even though he is a Yankee (blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) he is still the greatest ever for closers