Mariano Rivera is considered the most excellent reliever in New York Yankees history. He is a legendary figure both within the Yankees organization and in the entire history of baseball. Let’s take a closer look at his career and legacy.
Mariano Rivera
Background
- Early Life: Mariano Rivera was born on November 29, 1969, in Panama City, Panama. He grew up playing baseball on makeshift fields.
- Career Beginnings: Signed as an amateur free agent by the Yankees in 1990, Rivera began his career as a starting pitcher before transitioning to relief pitching.
MLB Career
- Debut and Rise:** Rivera made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on May 23, 1995. After facing some challenges early in his career, he transitioned to the bullpen and, by 1997, had established himself as the Yankees’ closer.
- Signature Pitch:** Rivera was renowned for his devastating cut fastball. This broke numerous bats and puzzled hitters across the league.
Achievements
- Mariano Rivera retired as Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in saves, totaling 652. He finished his career with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.21. Having pitched over 1,283 innings and recorded 1,173 strikeouts.
- Postseason Excellence:**
- Rivera is renowned for his exceptional postseason performance. He achieved 42 saves and maintained a remarkable 0.70 ERA over 141 innings. He also played a crucial role in securing five World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009.
- Awards and Recognition:**
- Rivera was a 13-time All-Star and a five-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner. He was named the ALCS MVP in 2003 and received the World Series MVP award in 1999.
- In 2019, Rivera made history as the first player in MLB to be unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest closers of all time..
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