Mariano Rivera

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Mariano Rivera

New York Yankees — No. 42
Relief pitcher
Born: November 29, 1969 (1969-11-29) (age 39)
Panama City, Panama
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
MLB debut
May 23, 1995 for the New York Yankees
Career statistics
(through July 19, 2009)
Win–Loss     69–51
Saves     508
Earned run average     2.29
Strikeouts     978
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a Panamanian right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who has played his entire Major League career with the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo",[1] Rivera debuted in the league in 1995 as a starting pitcher, but found success after being converted to a reliever role in the bullpen. After a breakthrough year in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees' closer in 1997 and has maintained that role for the team ever since. His presence in the late innings of games to record the final outs has given the Yankees an advantage over their opponents.

Rivera has become one of the best closers in baseball history,[2] recording the second-most saves in Major League history, winning the American League (AL) Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award four times, and setting multiple Major League records. In 2009, Rivera became the second pitcher in baseball history to record 500 regular season saves. Recognized as an exceptional postseason performer,[3] he is also the Major League's all-time postseason leader in saves and earned run average (ERA).[4] He has won four World Series championships and has been selected as an All-Star ten times. Rivera has made his success by primarily throwing one pitch, a sharp-breaking cut fastball that has been called an all-time great pitch.[5] Rivera will be the last MLB player to wear the uniform number 42, which was retired throughout baseball in 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama on November 29, 1969 to Delia and Mariano, Sr.[6] His father worked in fishing, a profession in which the ship owners were the only ones paid particularly well.[7] Rivera grew up in the fishing village of Puerto Caimito in Panama, frequently playing soccer with his friends. They would also play baseball in the streets by substituting milk cartons for gloves and tree branches for bats,[5] and taping beat-up baseballs.[8] Rivera used this makeshift equipment to play baseball until his father bought him his first leather glove when he was 12 years old.[6] Rivera thought of baseball as a pastime and did not seriously consider playing professionally, instead playing with his friends for most of his teenage years.[8] After graduating from Pablo Sanchez High School at age 16,[5] Rivera worked 12-hour days on a commercial shrimping boat on which his father was captain.[7][8] Rivera did not consider taking up the profession as an adult, though, calling the job "way too tough".[5] As a 19-year-old, Rivera had to abandon a capsizing 120-ton commercial boat, all but convincing him to give the job up.[5]

As a shortstop, in 1988, Rivera began to play baseball for an amateur team, Panamá Oeste, representing 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.[9] A year later, Panamá Oeste's pitcher performed so poorly that Rivera volunteered to pitch.[7] Yankees scout Chico Heron attended one of his games and after watching Rivera throw, Heron arranged for him to attend a Yankees tryout camp in Panama City where Raybourn was visiting.[7] Raybourn was surprised that scouts had shown interest in Rivera as a pitcher a year later.[9] Although Rivera had no formal pitching training and only threw 85–87 miles per hour (MPH), Rayborun was impressed by Rivera's athleticism and smooth pitching motion, along with the ease with which he threw the ball, so he considered Rivera a raw talent.[7] Raybourn signed the amateur free agent to a contract with a US$3,000 signing bonus ($5,014 in current dollar terms) on February 17, 1990, in Rivera's living room.[5][7]

[edit] Professional baseball career

[edit] Minor 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.[8] At that point in his career, he was considered by scouts to be a "fringe prospect" at best,[7] but he made good progress with a strong 1990 season for the GCL Yankees. Pitching mostly in relief, he allowed a 0.17 earned run average (ERA) in 52 innings pitched, and he allowed only 24 baserunners.[10] The following year, Rivera 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 ⅔ innings pitched and struck out 123 batters while walking only 36 batters.[10] 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."[7]

In 1992, Rivera moved up to the Class A-Advanced Fort Lauderdale Yankees of the Florida State League. He started 10 games in Fort Lauderdale, compiling a 5–3 win-loss record and a 2.28 ERA.[10] Rivera attempted to improve the movement on his slider by snapping his wrist in his pitching motion, but he inadvertently caused nerve damage to his throwing elbow.[7] He had Tommy John surgery in August 1992 to repair the damage, ending his season and briefly interrupting his minor league career.[7] 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.[5] Rivera 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.[10]

In 1994, he ascended from the Class A-Advanced level Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League 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. Over the course of the year, Rivera finished with a strong 10–2 record in 22 starts, having struck out 89 batters while walking 20 batters.[10] Rivera began the 1995 season with the Columbus Clippers with the ranking of ninth-best prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America.[7]

[edit] Major leagues (1995-present)

[edit] 1995–1997

Rivera made his Major League debut against the California Angels on May 23, 1995 as a starting pitcher in place of an injured Jimmy Key, but he pitched poorly in a 10–0 loss.[11][12] Rivera experienced mixed success as a starter in the Major Leagues and therefore found himself splitting time between the Yankees and their minor league affiliate in Columbus.[7] As a 25-year-old rookie with prior major arm surgery, Rivera's role on the team was not guaranteed. Yankees management once considered trading Rivera to the Detroit Tigers for David Wells, but Yankees general manager Gene Michael quickly called off negotiations when he learned that Rivera had begun to throw at 95–96 MPH in one of his starts, six MPH faster than his previous average velocity. Rivera attributes his inexplicable improvement to God.[13] Rivera also participated in a two-hit shutout of the Chicago White Sox on July 4, when he recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts.[7] Overall, he finished his first season in the Major Leagues with a 5–3 record and a 5.51 ERA. His improvement during the year and his success in the 1995 American League Division Series, in which he pitched 5 ⅓ scoreless innings of relief,[14] convinced Yankees management to keep him and move him into the bullpen the following season as a full-time relief pitcher.[15]

Prior to the 1996 season, the Seattle Mariners, sensing the Yankees' unease with starting rookie Derek Jeter at shortstop, offered to trade veteran shortstop Félix Fermín to the Yankees for Rivera, but no deal was ever agreed upon.[16] 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.[5] Their effectiveness gave the Yankees a 70–3 win-loss record that season when leading after the sixth inning, essentially shortening the games for their opponents by three innings.[17] Across games between April 15 and May 21, Rivera pitched 26 consecutive scoreless innings, including 15 consecutive hitless innings.[18] After the Minnesota Twins were dominated by Rivera in an April 1996 game, Twins manager Tom Kelly said in awe of Rivera, "He needs to pitch in a higher league, if there is one. Ban him from baseball. He should be illegal."[19] Rivera played an important role in the Yankees advancing to and winning the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves for the franchise's first World Series championship since 1978; Rivera recorded a 2.09 ERA and allowed only one home run in 107 ⅔ innings pitched in the regular season.[20] He set a Yankees record for strikeouts by a reliever in a season (130),[18] and he came in third in the voting for the American League (AL) Cy Young Award, given annually to the league's best pitcher.[21]

Rivera impressed Yankees management enough that they chose not to re-sign Wetteland, an offseason free agent. They subsequently installed Rivera in the role of the Yankees' closer for the 1997 season to typically pitch the ninth innings of games.[5] The transition from setup man to closer was not seamless: he blew three of his first six save opportunities,[2] and he indicated he was not initially comfortable in the role.[22] Eventually, Rivera settled into his new duties, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing with 43 saves in 52 opportunities and a 1.88 ERA for the regular season.[20] His postseason was not as successful as his regular season. In the 1997 American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians, he blew a save in Game Four by allowing a game-tying home run to Sandy Alomar, Jr., with the Yankees four outs from advancing to the American League Championship Series.[13] The Yankees eventually lost that game and the next, eliminating them from the playoffs.

[edit] 1998–2001

Members of the Yankees coaching staff were concerned that the disappointment of the previous season's end would affect Rivera's performance in the future.[5] He put any such concerns to rest in the following seasons, as he became one of the best closers in the Major Leagues by developing a sharp-breaking cut fastball, which quickly became his signature pitch and earned a reputation for breaking the bats of hitters.[13] In 1998, he saved 36 games in 41 opportunities, finished with a 1.91 ERA,[20] and clinched the Yankees' victory in the 1998 World Series against the San Diego Padres to cap off a season in which the Yankees won a Major League record 125 wins between the regular season and the playoffs. Along with his success and cutter, Rivera's entrance music became part of his identity as a closer;[23] Metallica's song "Enter Sandman" was selected for Rivera by Yankee Stadium public address staff, as Rivera was indifferent about his entrance music and was unaware who Metallica was; the song features lyrics about an evil entity giving children nightmares and accompanies Rivera's jog from the bullpen to the pitcher's mound.[23]

In 1999, Rivera was voted as an All-Star, led the Major Leagues with 45 saves in 49 opportunities,[24] and recorded a 1.83 ERA to win his first AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award,[20] 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 in the 1999 World Series against the Braves to secure a third championship title. Rivera finished 1999 by pitching 43 consecutive scoreless innings between the regular season and postseason,[25] and he finished third in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.[26] In the offseason, Rivera lost his arbitration case in which he requested an annual salary of $9.25 million, but the $7.25 million salary that the arbitrators awarded him instead set a baseball record for the highest arbitration award.[27] 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.[20] He helped the Yankees defeat the New York Mets in the 2000 World Series to win his third consecutive World Series championship and fourth title overall. It was the third consecutive year that Rivera was on the mound to clinch a World Series championship for the Yankees.

Rivera's postseason success during the Yankees' titles run earned him a reputation as an exceptional postseason performer.[13] Through the 1998 postseason, he had only allowed two earned runs in 35 postseason innings for a 0.51 ERA,[28] qualifying him for the Major League's record for lowest career postseason ERA by reaching the 30 inning minimum for eligibility, a record he still holds.[11] From 1998 to 2001, Rivera converted 23 consecutive postseason saves,[29] and from 1998 to 2000, he pitched 34 ⅓ consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason;[29][30] both feats are also Major League records.

In 2001, Rivera was voted onto the All-Star team for a third consecutive year. He finished the season with a 2.34 ERA, a closer career-high 80 ⅔ innings pitched,[20] and an MLB-leading 50 saves in 57 opportunities, the second time he led the Majors in saves,[24] earning him his second AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.[5] However, Rivera's year ended with one of his most infamous moments; in Game Seven of the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, after pitching a shutout eighth inning, he blew the save in the bottom of the ninth inning, in part due to his own throwing error to second base. Rivera lost the Series later in the inning by allowing Luis Gonzalez's bloop single with the bases loaded to score the winning run.[5]

[edit] 2002–2005

Injuries limited Rivera's playing time in 2002. He was placed on the disabled list three times for a groin pull and a right shoulder strain,[31] and he pitched only 46 innings while accumulating just 28 saves in 32 opportunities.[20] Rivera also missed the first month of the 2003 season with another groin injury.[32] Despite concerns by sports writers about Rivera's reliability,[33] Rivera quickly returned to form after re-assuming his closer role on May 1,[32] recording 40 saves in 46 opportunities with a 1.66 ERA in 64 games in the 2003 regular season.[20]

In the 2003 American League Championship Series against the archrival Boston Red Sox, winners of the wild card, Rivera recorded two-inning saves in Games Three and Five.[34] In Game Seven, Rivera delivered one of the best postseason performances of his career, entering the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 5–5 and pitching three scoreless innings en route to becoming the game's winning pitcher.[35] It was the first time he had pitched that many innings in a game since 1996.[36] Though Aaron Boone's 11th-inning homer ended the game and clinched the Yankees' World Series berth, Rivera was named the series' MVP for recording two saves and a win.[36] Rivera celebrated by running out to the mound and collapsing in joy and exhaustion to thank God, as Boone rounded the bases and was mobbed by his teammates at home plate.[35] Rivera was carried on the shoulders of his teammates during the celebration.[37] The Yankees would eventually lose in the 2003 World Series to the Florida Marlins; Rivera only allowed one run in the 16 innings he pitched that postseason.[28]

Prior to the 2004 season, with a year left on his contract, Rivera signed a two-year contract extension worth $21 million, with an option for a third year in 2007.[38] The 2004 season was another stellar year for Rivera. In addition to becoming the 17th pitcher in MLB history to record 300 saves,[39] Rivera made the All-Star team with 32 saves at the break, then an American League record.[40] Rivera finished the season with a 1.94 ERA and a career-best 53 saves in 57 opportunities,[20] the third time Rivera led the majors in that category.[24] For his performance that year, he won his third AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and finished third in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.[41]

The Yankees won their seventh straight American League East championship that season. In the 2004 American League Division Series, Rivera appeared in all four games and allowed no earned runs, despite blowing a save.[42] However, following the Yankees' victory in the Division Series, Rivera learned that two of his relatives in Panama were killed at his home when electrified guard wire fell into the pool in which they were swimming.[3] Despite his status being in doubt for the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, Rivera returned to New York for Game One on the same day the funeral was held in Panama. He recorded a save later that night, as well as in Game Two.[5] With the Yankees up three-games-to-none in the series, Rivera blew saves in Games Four and Five, and the Red Sox won both games in extra innings to avoid elimination. In Game Four, pinch runner Dave Roberts stole second base off Rivera and scored on a base hit to tie the game.[43] In Game Five, Rivera entered with a one-run lead with runners on base and allowed a sacrifice fly to Jason Varitek to tie the score.[43] Although Rivera only allowed one earned run in the 2004 postseason,[28] the Red Sox' comeback victories helped them become the first team in Major League history to win a best-of-seven series in which they trailed three-games-to-none.[43] They would eventually go on to win the 2004 World Series and break the Curse of the Bambino.

Unlike previous years, Rivera did not throw during the winter in the offseason,[44] leading to speculation that he needed more rest to recover from the 2004 season, in which he made the most appearances of his closing career. The 2005 season started out on a low note for Rivera. 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 saves against Boston, dating back to the previous postseason).[45] Fans at Yankee Stadium booed Rivera, causing his teammates to become upset over his treatment.[46] The stretch prompted baseball journalists to speculate if Rivera's days as a dominant pitcher were over.[44][45][47] He was subsequently cheered by Red Sox fans during pre-game introductions at Fenway Park the following week, as recognition for his subpar performances against the Red Sox. Rivera took the ovation with a good sense of humor and tipped his cap to the crowd.[48]

Rivera responded in dominating fashion and his 2005 season turned out to be, at that point in Rivera's career, his greatest individual statistical year.[49] Making the All-Star team, he converted a career-best 31 consecutive save opportunities, and he finished with a final tally of 43 saves in 47 opportunities, along with a career-low 1.38 ERA.[20] Rivera posted impressive numbers in many other statistical categories: he allowed an average of 0.87 baserunners per inning (see walks plus hits per inning pitched, or WHIP), then a career-best, and opposing batters only hit for a batting average of .177 against Rivera (see batting average against), then a closer career-best.[20] Rivera finished second in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award to starter Bartolo Colón and ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player Award voting, his highest finishes in voting for both awards.[50]

[edit] 2006–2008

Rivera prepares to throw against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006.

Prior to the 2006 season, a minor controversy occurred in New York City when Yankees fans objected to new Mets closer Billy Wagner using "Enter Sandman" as his entrance music, as they believed he had encroached on Rivera's territory in New York; many were unaware Wagner had used the song longer than Rivera had.[23] In the regular season, despite a subpar April, Rivera made his third consecutive All-Star team, with a 1.76 ERA entering the All-Star break.[51] Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén announced in advance that he would use Rivera to close the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, a compliment considering Guillén's closer for the White Sox, Bobby Jenks, was also selected to the All-Star team.[51] Rivera ended up saving the All-Star Game, his third time doing so.[52] That summer, Rivera reached a milestone, when on July 16, he became the fourth pitcher in Major League history to record 400 saves.[53] Rivera was sidelined for most of September because of an elbow strain in his throwing arm,[54] but he still 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.[20] His performance in 2006 won him the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award for a second consecutive season,[55] as well as This Year in Baseball's Closer of the Year Award for the third consecutive season,[56] both awards voted on annually by fans.

Before the 2007 season, Rivera attempted to negotiate a new contract to remain with the Yankees beyond the end of the season. Team management refused to negotiate near the start of the season, prompting Rivera to respond that he would consider pursuing free agency after the season.[57] On April 15, 2007, Rivera participated in Jackie Robinson Day by wearing his uniform number 42 as usual. Though MLB retired the number league-wide in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson, Rivera is still permitted to wear it due to a grandfather clause. As the only remaining player covered by the clause, Rivera will be the last Major League player to wear the number full-time.[58]

Rivera had an uncharacteristically poor month in April, blowing his first two save opportunities, compiling two losses, and surrendering nine earned runs in 7 ⅔ innings.[59] Concerned baseball journalists attributed his struggles to infrequent use, as the Yankees presented him with few opportunities to enter a game.[60] Rivera recovered, saving 30 of his next 32 opportunities and posting a 2.26 ERA over the final five months of the season.[59] He also passed John Franco for third place on the all-time saves list by recording his 425th career save.[61] Still, 2007 was Rivera's weakest statistical regular season as a closer, as he recorded reliever career worsts in earned runs (25), hits (68), and ERA (3.15). His 30 saves in 34 opportunities was his second-lowest total as a closer.[20] After the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, Rivera stated that he intended to test the free agent market,[62] as he was unhappy that long-time Yankees manager Joe Torre was not re-signed and that the Yankees' ownership was transitioning from George Steinbrenner to his sons.[63] Speculation that Rivera would sign elsewhere ended when he agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the Yankees, making him the highest paid reliever in baseball history.[64]

Rivera throws against the Seattle Mariners on May 25, 2008.

Rivera rebounded in 2008, starting the season by pitching 16 scoreless innings and converting his first 28 saves, both personal bests, as well as earning the DHL Presents the Delivery Man of the Month Award for April.[65] His first-half performance, highlighted by a 1.06 ERA and 23 saves in as many opportunities, earned him his ninth All-Star selection.[66] Since the 2008 MLB All-Star Game was held at Yankee Stadium in the venue's final year of existence, a few sports writers proposed making Rivera the American League starting pitcher,[67][68] although he appeared for the AL as a reliever.[11] Despite struggles in non-save situations, Rivera finished the season well and recorded two milestones in September: on September 15, he recorded his 479th save to pass Lee Smith for second all-time in regular season saves;[69] on September 21, in the final game in Yankee Stadium history, Rivera threw the final pitch in the venue's history, retiring the Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts on a ground-out.[70] After the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in Rivera's career, he mentioned that he had suffered from shoulder pain throughout the year. After tests revealed calcification of the acromioclavicular joint in his throwing shoulder, Rivera underwent minor arthroscopic surgery in the offseason.[71]

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 percentage (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.[20][72] Rivera 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.[11] Rivera placed fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.[73]

[edit] 2009–present

Rivera struggled through the first two months of the 2009 season, surrendering five home runs, which was more home runs than he allowed in the entire previous season. This includes an outing where he allowed back-to-back home runs for the first time in his career.[74] His cutter has occasionally suffered from diminished velocity and movement, which have been attributed to a lack of arm strength after offseason surgery.[74] Rivera recovered by allowing only one earned run in 13 appearances leading into the All-Star break and recording a historic milestone; on June 28, against the New York Mets, Rivera earned his 500th regular season save, becoming the second pitcher in history to do so. In the same game, he earned his first career run batted in by drawing a walk with the bases loaded against fellow closer Francisco Rodríguez.[75] Rivera's first-half performance, highlighted by his 23 saves in 24 opportunities and 2.43 ERA,[76] earned him his tenth All-Star selection. At the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, he set a record by saving his fourth All-Star Game.[77]

[edit] Pitching style

Rivera'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 mixes the cutter with both a four-seam and two-seam fastball.[78] He throws all three fastballs between 91–97 MPH, usually at 92–95 MPH.[13][78][79][80] Rivera claims that he discovered the cutter accidentally while playing catch with Ramiro Mendoza in 1997, saying, "It was just from God. I didn't do anything. It was natural."[78][81] Rivera's cutter is a respected pitch among Major League hitters.[5][79] Chipper Jones once compared it to a "buzzsaw",[47] (referring to its tendency of breaking left-handed hitters' bats) after witnessing teammate Ryan Klesko break three bats in a plate appearance against Rivera in the 1999 World Series.[12] Jim Thome called it "the single best pitch ever in the game".[82] In 2004, ESPN.com ranked Rivera's cutter as the best "out pitch" in baseball.[83] Buster Olney referred to Rivera's cut fastball as "the most dominant pitch of a generation".[84] 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 the hands by his cutter.[85][86] Since Rivera relies on variations of a fastball, all of similar speed, much of his success is attributed to his impeccable control and ability to consistently throw strikes. Rivera's 3.94 career strikeout-to-walk ratio in the regular season ranks fourth best in Major League history.[87] Rivera has achieved his success with a smooth, "fluid" pitching delivery,[78] as an easily repeatable throwing motion allows a pitcher to yield consistent results.

[edit] Legacy

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.[88]

— Michael Young

Rivera is considered by many baseball experts to be the greatest closer in baseball history,[2][13][89] despite many baseball experts unfavorably comparing modern closers to those who pitched between the 1960s and 1980s.[90] The role of the modern closer has received criticism for becoming too specialized and easy; closers in past decades often entered games in the middle of innings with runners on base and had to pitch multiple innings, while modern closers are usually called upon to only pitch the ninth inning from the start.[90] Despite being utilized like a modern closer,[90] Rivera has achieved a reputation as an all-time great reliever. Hall of Fame starter-turned-closer Dennis Eckersley calls Rivera "the best ever, no doubt",[12] while Trevor Hoffman, the only closer with more saves than Rivera, says he "will go down as the best reliever in the game in history".[13] Buster Olney says, "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."[13] Joe Torre, who managed Rivera for most of his career, says, "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."[38] Based on his career performance, many baseball journalists consider Rivera to be the most valuable Yankees player from the team's late 1990s championship years.[49][91] Although voters have historically been reluctant to allow relievers into the Baseball Hall of Fame,[2] sports writers and baseball experts anticipate Rivera will be voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (five years after retirement), due to his career statistics and perception as a dominating pitcher.[2][49][92]

Rivera is well-known for his composure and calm, placid demeanor,[13] which contrasts with the rough-edged, emotional, and demonstrative nature of many other closers.[90] Derek Jeter called Rivera the "most mentally tough teammate [he's] ever played with".[49] On his ability to quickly forget bad performances, Rivera explains, "You just keep going. It's frustrating and it's tough, but at the same time, you just have to move on and get the next opportunity."[93] Rivera is well-respected among his peers for his professionalism. Fellow closer Joe Nathan says, "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."[94] Despite the closer role being characterized by volatility and turnover,[60] Rivera is known for his consistency.[5] His tenure as the Yankees' closer has exceeded the ordinary lifetime of a closer, as he has the longest active tenure for a closer by more than six years.[60][95] His 14-year tenure with the Yankees is tied for the longest of any active pitcher.[96] Rivera has been one of the most successful pitchers at closing games, as he has converted 89.22% of his save opportunities, the fourth-best percentage among relievers with at least 200 save opportunities.[11] Rivera ranks highly in many statistical categories amongst both starting and relief pitchers; Rivera has the lowest career WHIP (1.01) and ERA (2.29) 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.[97][98] Rivera also has MLB history's best adjusted ERA+ (199), meaning Rivera's career ERA is nearly half of the league average, adjusted for the pitcher's ballpark.[99]

Rivera is also considered one of the best relief pitchers in postseason history.[2][3][92] He sports a postseason win-loss record of 8–1 and WHIP of 0.75, and he holds numerous postseason records, including lowest ERA (0.77),[11] most saves (34),[4] most consecutive scoreless innings pitched (34 ⅓),[30] most consecutive saves converted (23),[29] and most appearances (76).[4] No pitcher has half as many postseason saves as Rivera. His dominance in postseason games has often led to him being utilized for two-inning appearances,[92] as he has recorded a record-12 saves of this variety.[100] Additionally, he has allowed no earned runs in 17 postseason series.[72] Life recognized his postseason success by naming him one of the 16 most "clutch" professional athletes.[101]

[edit] Personal life

Rivera married his wife Clara on November 9, 1991. They have three sons: Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel.[11] Rivera is the cousin of former Yankee Rubén Rivera.[11]

Over the course of his professional career, Rivera learned English. He is now a proponent of Latino players learning English and of American press members learning Spanish, in order to bridge the cultural gap.[102]

Rivera is a devout Christian. He maintains that God has a reason for everything that happens. For example, Rivera 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, Enrique Wilson would have flown home to the Dominican Republic and been aboard the deadly American Airlines Flight 587. "I am glad we lost the World Series," Rivera told Wilson, "because it means that I still have a friend."[103] 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.")[104]

Rivera is a partner in a restaurant in New Rochelle, New York called "Mo's New York Grill".[1] He is also 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.[11]

Rivera is signed to an endorsement deal with sports apparel company Nike, Inc.[105]

[edit] Career highlights

[edit] Awards and honors

Award / Honor Time(s) Date(s)
American League All-Star[72] 10 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
American League Championship Series MVP Award[72] 1 2003
American League Player of the Week[106][107] 2 May 26 – June 1, 2008; June 22–28, 2009
American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award[72] 4 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005
Babe Ruth Award[72] 1 1999
DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award[55] 2 2005, 2006
DHL Delivery Man of the Month Award[65] 1 April 2008
The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award[108] 5 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005
This Year in Baseball's Closer of the Year Award[56] 3 2004, 2005, 2006
Thurman Munson Award[11] 1 2003
World Series MVP Award[72] 1 1999
World Series champion[72] 4 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000

[edit] Records

MLB Records
Accomplishment Record (as of July 19, 2009)
Regular season
Highest career adjusted ERA+ (minimum 1,000 innings pitched)[99] 199
Lowest career ERA among relievers (minimum 1,000 innings pitched)[109] 2.29
Most saves in American League history[53] 509
Most consecutive seasons with at least 25 saves (tied)[110] 13 (1997-2009)
Most seasons with 20-plus saves and sub-2.00 ERA[111] 8 (1997-99, 2003-06, 2008)
Most seasons with 20-plus saves, sub-2.00 ERA, and sub-1.00 WHIP[112] 4 (1999, 2005-06, 2008)
Most games saved for a single winning pitcher[113] 60 (Andy Pettitte)
Most interleague saves[114] 59
Most saves in a single ballpark[11] 230 (original Yankee Stadium)
Postseason
Lowest career ERA (minimum 30 innings pitched)[11] 0.77
Most saves[4] 34
Most consecutive scoreless innings pitched[30] 34 ⅓
Most consecutive saves converted[29] 23
Most two-inning saves[100] 12
Most saves in World Series history[11] 9
Lowest career ERA in Division Series history[11] 0.38
Most appearances[4] 76
Most games finished[4] 56
Most times recording the final out of a World Series[115][116] 3
Most consecutive postseasons with an appearance 13
All-Star Game
Most All-Star selections as reliever[117] 10
Most All-Star Game saves[77] 4
Yankees Records
Accomplishment Record (as of July 19, 2009)
Regular season
Most career saves[118] 505
Most saves in a single season[119] 53 (2004)
Lowest career WHIP[118] 1.01
Most appearances[118] 890
Most games finished[118] 748
Most strikeouts in a single season by reliever[18] 130 (1996)
Highest strikeouts per 9 innings in single season[118] 10.87 (1996)

[edit] Other accomplishments

Rivera has accomplished other feats in his career (all as of the July 19, 2009):

  • Finished second in voting for American League Cy Young Award in 2005;[50] finished third in 1996,[21] 1999,[26] 2004;[41] finished fifth in 2008[73]
  • Only reliever to win both an LCS MVP Award (2003) and World Series MVP Award (1999)[120]
  • Fourth-best save conversion percentage (minimum 200 save opportunities) (89.22%)[11]
  • One of two pitchers to record 40 saves in six separate seasons[121]
  • Second in regular season saves (509) all-time and among active pitchers[69]
  • One of two pitchers to record at least 50 saves in two separate seasons[121]
  • Has second-most seasons with at least 30 saves (11)[11]
  • Fourth pitcher to record 300 regular season saves with one team,[122] and second pitcher to record 400 and 500 regular season saves with one team[75]
  • One of nine pitchers to record at least 50 saves in a season[121]
  • Named the relief pitcher on Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team[123]
  • Threw the final pitch in Yankee Stadium history[70]
  • Part of only duo of teammates (along with Derek Jeter) to make 10 All-Star appearances representing the same team[124]

[edit] Career statistics

Current as of July 18, 2009:[72]

Regular season Postseason
Season Team W L ERA SV IP H ER BB K W L ERA SV IP
1995 New York Yankees 5 3 5.51 0 67.0 71 41 30 51 1 0 0.00 0 5.1
1996 New York Yankees 8 3 2.09 5 107.2 73 25 34 130 1 0 0.63 0 14.1
1997 New York Yankees 6 4 1.88 43 71.2 65 15 20 68 0 0 4.50 1 2.0
1998 New York Yankees 3 0 1.91 36 61.1 48 13 17 36 0 0 0.00 6 13.1
1999 New York Yankees 4 3 1.83 45 69.0 43 14 18 52 2 0 0.00 6 12.1
2000 New York Yankees 7 4 2.85 36 75.2 58 24 25 58 0 0 1.72 6 15.2
2001 New York Yankees 4 6 2.34 50 80.2 61 21 12 83 2 1 1.13 5 16.0
2002 New York Yankees 1 4 2.74 28 46.0 35 14 11 41 0 0 0.00 1 1.0
2003 New York Yankees 5 2 1.66 40 70.2 61 13 10 63 1 0 0.56 5 16.0
2004 New York Yankees 4 2 1.94 53 78.2 65 17 20 66 1 0 0.71 2 12.2
2005 New York Yankees 7 4 1.38 43 78.1 50 12 18 80 0 0 3.00 2 3.0
2006 New York Yankees 5 5 1.80 34 75.0 61 15 11 55 0 0 0.00 0 1.0
2007 New York Yankees 3 4 3.15 30 71.1 68 25 12 74 0 0 0.00 0 4.2
2008 New York Yankees 6 5 1.40 39 70.2 41 11 6 77 – – – – –
2009 New York Yankees 1 2 2.31 25 39 31 10 3 44          
15 years Totals 69 51 2.29 507 1062.2 831 270 247 978 8 1 0.77 34 117.1

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Mo Gets More on his Plate". Daily News. 2006-07-14. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2006/07/14/2006-07-14_mo_gets_more_on_his_plate.html. Retrieved on 2006-08-10. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f O'Dwyer, Kieran (2006-07-27). "A cutter above". Sporting News. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=111983. Retrieved on 2006-08-09. 
  3. ^ a b c "Rivera says he will be back for Game 1". Associated Press. 2004-11-11. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1898875. Retrieved on 2009-04-24. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Career Pitching Postseason Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/Playoffs_pitching.shtml. Retrieved on 2006-08-10. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Antonen, Mel (2006-10-09). "Yanks' Rivera continues to learn". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soac/2006-10-09-rivera_x.htm. Retrieved on 2006-08-20. 
  6. ^ a b Hermoso, Rafael (1998-08-31). "Where Rivera goes for relief takes hat off to Panama". Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1998/08/31/1998-08-31_where_rivera_goes_for_relief.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-28. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Sherman, Joel (2007). "Excerpt from "Chapter 1 - The Perfect Ending/Beginning" for Birth of a Dynasty: Behind the Pinstripes with the 1996 Yankees". Rodale. http://images.rodale.com/wcpe/USRodaleStore/pdf/121520/1594862441CHP.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-28. 
  8. ^ a b c d Bamberger, Michael (1997-03-24). "Strikeouts By The Boatload". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1009676/1/index.htm. Retrieved on 2009-02-11. 
  9. ^ a b Curry, Jack (2009-07-05). "Scout saw effortless ability in young Mariano Rivera". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/sports/baseball/06scout.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-06. 
  10. ^ a b c d e "Mariano Rivera Career Stats". CBS Sportsline. http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/8019. Retrieved on 2008-05-19. 
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "2008 Career Highlights". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=121250&y=2008. Retrieved on 2009-04-06. 
  12. ^ a b c Associated Press (2006-07-17). "A decade later, Rivera still dominates". NBC Sports. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/13907073/site/21683474/. Retrieved on 2008-10-24. 
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i Olney, Buster (2004-06-28). "The Confidence Man: Inside the mind of baseball's greatest closer, Mariano Rivera.". New York. http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/sports/features/9375/. Retrieved on 2008-05-18. 
  14. ^ "1995 AL Division Series - SEA vs. NYY". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1995_ALDS2.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-05-31. 
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  17. ^ Verducci, Tom (1998-09-25). "In '96, everyone was Mr. October". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/features/1998/yankees/comparisons/1996vs1998.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-28. 
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  19. ^ Smith, Claire (1996-04-29). "Rivera Completes 'No-Hitter' In Victory". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/29/sports/baseball-rivera-completes-no-hitter-in-victory.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-29. 
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  27. ^ Olney, Buster (2000-02-20). "Rivera Loses Ruling on Salary, but Takes It in Stride". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/20/sports/baseball-rivera-loses-ruling-on-salary-but-takes-it-in-stride.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-12. 
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  29. ^ a b c d Schoenfield, David (2001-11-05). "Frozen Moment: Rivera finally fails". ESPN.com. http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2001/s/frozen/game7.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-05. 
  30. ^ a b c "New York Yankees 9, Seattle Mariners 7". Retrosheet. 2000-10-17. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B10170NYA2000.htm. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.  The boxscore states Rivera's streak was broken at 34 innings, but Retrosheet's record-keeping only counts whole innings. To demonstrate the full length of the streak, the record in the article is stated as 34 ⅓ innings. Checking individual Retrosheet box scores confirms this.
  31. ^ Kepner, Tyler (2002-08-20). "Rivera Is Out With Injury For 3rd Time". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/20/sports/baseball-rivera-is-out-with-injury-for-3rd-time.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-25. 
  32. ^ a b Kepner, Tyler (2003-05-01). "Mondesi's Slam and Rivera's Debut Frame Victory". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/01/sports/baseball-mondesi-s-slam-and-rivera-s-debut-frame-victory.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-31. 
  33. ^ Habib, Daniel J. (2003-03-31). "New York Yankees: 2003 Preview". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1028354/index.htm. Retrieved on 2009-06-03. 
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  37. ^ Olney, Buster (2003-10-16). "Boones' blast, Rivera's arm lift Yankees". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=231016110. Retrieved on 2009-05-12. 
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  39. ^ Gagliano, Anthony (2004-05-29). "Rivera earns 300th career save". MLB.com. http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040529&content_id=755613&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp. Retrieved on 2007-07-29. 
  40. ^ Newman, Mark (2004-07-23). "It's always a classic, so own it now". MLB.com. http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040723&content_id=807352&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp. Retrieved on 2008-07-10. 
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  45. ^ a b Shaughnessy, Dan (2005-04-07). "Opening series almost too much for us to take". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/04/07/opening_series_almost_too_much_for_us_to_take/. Retrieved on 2006-08-18. 
  46. ^ Cristodero, Damian (2005-04-10). "Boo birds lose perspective with closer Rivera". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/10/Sports/Boo_birds_lose_perspe.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-07-10. 
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  78. ^ a b c d McCarron, Anthony (2001-10-27). "Poetry in Motion". Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2001/10/27/2001-10-27_poetry_in_motion.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-27. 
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  81. ^ Verducci, Tom (1999-10-25). "The Yankees allowed the Red Sox their day of Fenway glory, then dispatched Boston to resume their inexorable march back to the World Series". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/2000/03/22/out_at_home/. Retrieved on 2007-05-27. 
  82. ^ Curry, Jack (2006-07-17). "Guillén's Rare Retreat Is a Show of Respect for Rivera". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/sports/baseball/17curry.html. Retrieved on 2006-08-10. 
  83. ^ McAdam, Sean (2004-04-20). "Knockout pitches". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1786041. Retrieved on 2008-10-24. 
  84. ^ Olney, Buster (2006-09-29). "20 best postseason weapons". ESPN.com. http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2606205&name=olney_buster. Retrieved on 2006-09-29.  (preview only)
  85. ^ Kepner, Tyler (2004-03-23). "For Yankees and Rivera, It's Case Closed". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/23/sports/baseball/23YANK.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-25. 
  86. ^ "AL East". Sporting News. 2005-07-08. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_27_229/ai_n14713597. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. 
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  88. ^ Feisand, Mark (2009-07-14). "Yankees Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera praised at 10th All-Star trip". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/07/14/2009-07-14_derek_jeter_and_mariano_rivera.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-14. 
  89. ^ DiComo, Anthony (2009-06-29). "Friends, foes respect Rivera's dominance". MLB.com. http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090628&content_id=5587344. Retrieved on 2009-06-29. 
  90. ^ a b c d Caple, Jim (2008-08-05). "The most overrated position in sports". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/080805. Retrieved on 2009-05-12. 
  91. ^ Graham, Bryan Armen (2009-05-05). "On-field achievement gives Rivera edge over instinctive pick Robinson". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/05/02/robinson.rivera/. Retrieved on 2009-05-14. 
  92. ^ a b c Verducci, Tom (2004-06-01). "Gotta get to Mo". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/tom_verducci/06/01/rivera.yankees/. Retrieved on 2008-05-17. 
  93. ^ Hoch, Bryan (2007-04-21). "Rivera's blown save dooms Yanks". MLB.com. http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070420&content_id=1921024. Retrieved on 2009-07-08. 
  94. ^ Rodriguez, Justin (2009-07-14). "All-Starry-eyed Nathan". Times Herald-Record. http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090714/SPORTS/907140330/. Retrieved on 2009-07-14. 
  95. ^ Trevor Hoffman, the only other pitcher with a longer closer tenure, became a Brewer in 2009, ending his long tenure as closer with the Padres.
  96. ^ Stark, Jayson (2009-01-09). "Three Strikes: End of Two Eras Edition". ESPN.com. http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3821949&searchName=stark_jayson. Retrieved on 2009-05-19. 
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  101. ^ "16 Great Clutch Athletes". Life. http://www.life.com/image/493815/in-gallery/23143/16-great-clutch-athletes. Retrieved on 2009-06-16. 
  102. ^ Bryant, Howard (2009-06-12). "At 39, the great Rivera fighting mortality". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4251481. Retrieved on 2009-07-12. 
  103. ^ Olney, Buster (2005-05-02). "Excerpt from the "Epilogue" for The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty: The Game, the Team, and the Cost of Greatness". ESPN.com. http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=2051491. Retrieved on 2009-05-12. 
  104. ^ Hollander, Dave (2005-05-27). "Keeping the faith". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/dave_hollander/05/27/mariano.rivera/index.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-09. 
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  107. ^ Dittmeier, Bobbie (2009-06-29). "Rivera, Dye take home AL weekly award". MLB.com. http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090629&content_id=5599550. Retrieved on 2009-07-02. 
  108. ^ "Fireman of the Year / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News". Baseball Almanac. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snfi.shtml. Retrieved on 2009-06-19. 
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  111. ^ "For single seasons, From 1871 to 2008, (requiring ERA≤1.99, At least 80% games in relief, and At least 60 Innings Pitched)". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/b4V6. Retrieved on 2008-09-29. 
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  116. ^ Fraley, Gerry (2009-03-30). "Lidge saved the day but he's two behind Yankees' Rivera". Philadelphia Inquirer. http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20090330_Lidge_saved_the_day_but_hes_two_behind_Yankees_Rivera.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-01. 
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  120. ^ Dennis Eckersley, Rob Dibble, and Randy Myers are the only other relievers to win a LCS MVP Award and none won the World Series MVP.
  121. ^ a b c "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Saves". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SV_season.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-09-29.  Trevor Hoffman is the other closer.
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  123. ^ "Chevrolet Presents the Major League Baseball Latino Legends Team unveiled today". MLB.com. 2005-10-26. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20051026&content_id=1260180&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp. Retrieved on 2009-04-27. 
  124. ^ Navarro, Manny (2009-07-14). "AL ace Roy Halladay's future still uncertain". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/1140445.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-14. 

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