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Mariano Rivera

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Mariano Rivera
New York Yankees – No. 42
Closer (baseball)|Closer
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
May 23, 1995, for the New York Yankees
Career statistics
(through September 7, 2007)
Win-Loss62-44
Saves437
Earned Run Average2.34
Strikeouts847
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Mariano Rivera (born November 29 1969 in Panama City, Panama) is a Panamanian baseball player. He is a relief pitcher for Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. He throws and bats right-handed. Nicknamed "Mo",[2] Rivera originally began his Major League career as a starting pitcher in 1995, but it was after he was moved to the bullpen and converted to closer that he found success.[3]

Some people within the baseball world often refer to Rivera as the greatest postseason relief pitcher [4][5][6] and the greatest closer in baseball history.[7][8][9][10] Along with having the 3rd most career regular season saves in Major League history,[11] Rivera is the Major League's all-time postseason leader in saves[12] and ERA.[13] In his career with the Yankees, Rivera has won 4 World Series titles.

Rivera is well-known for his signature pitch, a sharp-breaking cut fastball.[8] He is the last active MLB player to wear the uniform number 42, which was retired throughout baseball in 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson.[14]

Early life

Rivera grew up in Panama frequently playing baseball with his friends, substituting milk cartons for gloves and tree branches for bats.[3] Although his father was a fisherman, Rivera never dreamed of taking up the profession, calling the job "way too tough." As a 19-year old, Mariano had to abandon a capsizing 120-ton commercial boat he had been aboard, all but convincing him to give the job up.[3]

Baseball career

Minor leagues (1990-1994)

In 1990, a 20 year-old Rivera, then a shortstop, volunteered to pitch for his Panamá Oeste team. A scout for the New York Yankees, Herb Raybourn was in attendance at one his games. Although Rivera had no formal pitching training, he was throwing 85-87 MPH with a smooth delivery, prompting Raybourn to sign Rivera to a contract with a $3,000 signing bonus.[3] Rivera rewarded Raybourn's faith by posting ERAs of 2.75 (with Greensboro) and 2.28 (with Ft. Lauderdale) in 1991 and 1992, respectively. [15]

Rivera's minor league career was interrupted when he had Tommy John surgery in 1992 to fix nerve damage in his elbow. His rehabilitation coincided with the 1992 expansion draft for the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies; Rivera was left unprotected but was not drafted. Rivera successfully rehabilitated his arm in 1993 and resumed pitching that year. In 1994, he ascended from Class A to AA and then AAA, striking out 89 batters while issuing only 20 walks over the course of the year.[16]

Call-up to major leagues (1995)

Rivera's rookie year in the Major Leagues was 1995, initially as a starting pitcher.[3] He found mixed success, posting a 5-3 record and 5.51 ERA that year.[17] As a result, he split time between the Yankees and their AAA affiliate in Columbus.[18] As a 25 year-old rookie with major arm surgery in his past, Rivera's role on the team was not guaranteed. The Yankees considered trading Rivera to the Detroit Tigers for David Wells.[10] However, a surprise improvement prompted a change of heart. In one minor league start, Rivera suddenly began throwing 95-96 MPH.[10] Rivera's sudden improvement and his success in the 1995 American League Division Series convinced Yankees' management to keep him and move him into the bullpen the following season.[18]

Set-up man (1996)

In 1996, Rivera served primarily as a set-up man for the closer John Wetteland.[3] Rivera typically would pitch the 7th and 8th innings, before Wetteland pitched in the 9th. Their effectiveness as a tandem essentially shortened their games to 6 innings, as the Yankees had a 70-3 record that season when leading after the 6th inning.[19] The Yankees utilized a "6-2-1" strategy by aiming for six innings from the starting pitcher, two from Rivera, and one from Wetteland. The Yankees won 29 of 31 games in which the pair appeared.[20] Rivera played an important role in the Yankees winning the World Series that year (their first championship since 1978). In 107 2/3 innings pitched that season, Rivera only allowed one home run. Setting a Yankee record for strikeouts by a reliever in a season (130),[18] Rivera came in third for the Cy Young Award voting, behind twenty-game winners Pat Hentgen and teammate Andy Pettitte, respectively.

Closer career (1997-present)

When Wetteland left the team as a free agent the following season, Rivera became the Yankees' closer for the 1997 season.[3] It would not be a seamless transition from set-up man to closer, as he blew 3 of his first 6 save opportunities,[8]. Eventually, Rivera settled into the role, and he finished the year with a 1.88 ERA and 43 saves.[17] It was that year that Yankee Stadium scoreboard staff began playing Metallica's "Enter Sandman" whenever Rivera entered a game. Rivera went along with the selection, as he was not concerned about his music and was not familiar with the song.[21] It was also that year that Rivera began throwing the cut fastball, which quickly became his signature pitch.[10] Despite a successful regular season as closer, the 1997 postseason would not end well for Rivera, as he blew a save in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians by allowing a game-tying home run to Sandy Alomar, Jr.,[18] with the Yankees four outs from advancing to the American League Championship Series. The Yankees eventually lost that game and the next, and were eliminated from the playoffs.

In the following seasons, Rivera became one of the best closers in the Major Leagues. In a position known for its volatility and turnover,[22] Rivera has stood out for his composure[3] and consistency, performing well in the role in the 10 years he has maintained it. As a reliever, Rivera has always finished the regular season with a sub-3.00 ERA and only once in his career has he pitched fewer than 60 innings in a season.[17] His tenure as the Yankees' closer has far exceeded the ordinary lifetime of a Major League closer, as only two other pitchers have been tenured as closer for the same team since 2002.[22][23]

Rivera's success in the postseason has been key in each of the Yankees' four recent World Series titles (in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000).[10] His 34 postseason saves and 0.80 lifetime postseason ERA are both Major League records;[12][13] no pitcher even has half as many postseason saves as Rivera. From 1998 to 2001, Rivera converted 23 consecutive postseason saves,[24] and from 1998 to 2000, he pitched 34 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason;[25] both feats are also Major League records. Rivera has a record of 8-1 in the postseason with a 0.75 WHIP. He is often called upon to convert two-inning saves in the postseason, recording 12 of this variety.[26] Additionally, he has recorded a 0.00 ERA in sixteen separate postseason series.[1]

Rivera's consistency is such that many fans remember his rare missteps more than his successes. Rivera's most disappointing moment came in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.[3] Two outs from winning a fourth consecutive World Series title, Rivera blew the save and Series in the bottom of the 9th inning when Luis Gonzalez blooped a bases-loaded single to score the winning run.

2003

In 2003, Rivera returned to form after missing significant time in 2002 on the disabled list. He appeared in 64 regular season games and posted 40 saves and a 1.66 ERA. In the postseason, Rivera threw 16.2 innings while allowing only one run, which lowered his lifetime postseason ERA to 0.75.[27]

In the American League Championship Series against the wild-card Red Sox, he recorded two key two-inning saves in Games 3 and 5. But it was in Game 7 that he delivered the best postseason performance of his career. With the game tied at 5, Rivera entered in the 9th inning and proceeded to shut out Boston’s lineup for three innings. It was the first time he had pitched that many innings in a game since 1996. 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 2 saves and a win. The most enduring image of Rivera from that game was his celebration following Boone's home run; he ran out to the mound and collapsed in joy and exhaustion, as Boone rounded the bases and was mobbed by his teammates at home plate.[28] Rivera was carried on the shoulders of his teammates during the celebration.

2004

Prior to the season, with a year left on his contract, Rivera signed a two-year contract extension. The deal also included an option of a third year (for 2007) if Rivera finished enough games. [29]

The 2004 season was another stellar year for Rivera. In addition to becoming the 17th pitcher in MLB history to record 300 saves,[30] he won his third Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and finished third in voting for the Cy Young Award,[31] posting a 1.94 ERA and a career best 53 saves.[17]

The Yankees won their 7th straight American League East championship. In the ALDS, Mariano appeared in all four games and allowed no earned runs, despite blowing a save.[32] However, following the ALDS, joy turned to mourning for Rivera. He learned that two of his relatives in Panama had been killed at his home when electrified guard wire fell into the pool they were in. Rivera immediately flew home, and his status for the upcoming ALCS was in doubt. The funeral in Panama was held on the same day as Game One against the Boston Red Sox. Flying 2,200 miles back to New York, Rivera arrived at Yankee Stadium in the 5th inning to a standing ovation.[3] Having suffered through a very emotional day, Rivera was still able to record a save later that night, as well as in Game 2.

Rivera's fortunes turned for the worse, though. With the Yankees up 3-0 in the series, Rivera blew saves in Games 4 and 5, allowing the Red Sox to avoid elimination. In Game Four, protecting a 4-3 lead in the 9th inning, Rivera walked Kevin Millar. Pinch runner Dave Roberts stole second base, and later scored on a single by Bill Mueller to tie the game. The Red Sox eventually won in extra innings. The following night, with the Yankees staked to 4-3 lead in the 8th inning, Rivera entered the game with runners on 1st and 3rd base and no outs. He allowed only a sacrifice fly to Jason Varitek, but it tied the score. Like the night before, the Red Sox would win in extra innings. Rivera only allowed one earned run in the entire 2004 post-season,[33] but the comeback wins in Games Four and Five allowed Boston to survive and begin its historic comeback; they would win the series in seven games.

2005

The 2005 season started out on a low note for Rivera, as he blew his first two saves of the season against the Red Sox (marking 4 consecutive blown saves against Boston, dating back to the previous postseason).[34] The stretch prompted some people in the baseball world to question whether Rivera was a dominant pitcher anymore.[34][35] Rivera was subsequently cheered by Red Sox fans during pre-game introductions at Fenway Park the following week, as recognition for his subpar performance against the Red Sox. Rivera took the ovation with a good sense of humor and tipped his cap to the crowd.[36]

Rivera would have the last laugh, though, as 2005 proved to be the greatest year of his already sparkling career.[37] He converted 31 consecutive save opportunities en route to recording a total of 43 saves in 47 opportunities. His 1.38 ERA was a career low, as was his 0.87 WHIP. His batting average against was .177 (the second best mark of his career), his OPS against was .465 (a career low), and his K/9 was 9.19 (the second best mark of his career as a closer).[17] Rivera finished second in the race for the AL Cy Young Award to Bartolo Colon and ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player voting.[38] He also notched the save in the 2005 All-Star Game.

2006

File:Mariano clutch delivery.jpg
Rivera's delivery, clockwise, starting from top left.

In 2006, despite a rough April, Rivera made his third consecutive All-Star Team, with a 1.76 ERA, 19 saves in 21 opportunities, and a 0.91 WHIP going into the All-Star Break. Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen announced in advance that he would use Rivera to close the All-Star Game, a compliment considering Guillen's closer for the White Sox, Bobby Jenks, also made the team.[39] Mariano ended up saving the game for the American League in a comeback victory against National League closer Trevor Hoffman, the only active player with more saves than Rivera. The save was Rivera's third in an All-Star Game, making him and Dennis Eckersley the only 2 pitchers to reach the milestone.[40]

On June 20 2006, Rivera had his first career regular season at-bat, during which he struck out.[41]

On July 16 2006, Rivera became the 4th pitcher in Major League history to record 400 saves, converting a 2-inning save against the White Sox.[42]

At the beginning of September, Rivera was sidelined with an elbow strain in his throwing arm.[43] With the Yankees leading the Red Sox in the AL East divisional race by a large margin, the team decided to rest him for most of September.[44] Rivera 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.[17] Although he was well-rested for the postseason for the first time in years, the Yankees were unable to advance past the first round. He pitched just one inning against Detroit, in a non-save situation.

During the regular season, Rivera finished enough games to earn the option for a 3rd year on his contract, which now expires after the 2007 season. His performance in 2006 also won him the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award for a 2nd consecutive season,[45] and MLB.com's Closer of the Year Award for the 3rd consecutive season.[46]

2007

Prior to the season, Rivera attempted to extend his contract past the end of the 2007 season. The Yankees were reluctant to negotiate a deal, due to the proximity of the negotiations to the start of the season. Rivera made headlines by responding if he did not receive an extension from the Yankees, he would pursue free agency. No extension has yet been reached.

On April 15, 2007, players around the league wore #42 in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. Rivera took part in the festivities by wearing the number as usual. For his entire career, Rivera has worn #42, which has been retired by all Major League Baseball teams since 1997 in honor of Robinson. Rivera is permitted to use the number due to a grandfather clause allowing active players to retain it if they had worn the number prior to its league-wide retirement. As the only remaining player covered by the clause, Rivera will be the last Major League player to wear the number full-time.[14]

Despite a sparkling spring training, Rivera had an uncharacteristically bad month in April. He blew his first two save opportunities, compiled two losses, and recorded a 10.57 ERA.[47] Rivera saved one game that month and his performance prompted writers to question whether something was wrong.[48] Many attributed his struggles early in the year to infrequent use, as the Yankees presented him with few opportunities to enter a game.[22] Rivera responded by converting 19 consecutive saves and posting a 1.47 ERA from May through July. However, he began to struggle again in August, giving up 5 runs in a span of 3 straight appearances.

On July 14, 2007, Rivera passed John Franco for third place on the all-time saves list by recording his 425th career save in a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Rivera only trails Lee Smith and Trevor Hoffman on that list.[11]

The cutter

Rivera's signature pitch is his cut fastball or "cutter". He mixes this pitch with both a four-seam and two-seam fastball. Rivera explained to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Bergen Record that he discovered the cutter accidentally while playing catch with Ramiro Mendoza. He told Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, "It was just from God. I didn’t do anything. It was natural."[49] Rivera's cutter is a heavily feared pitch by Major League hitters,[3][50] such as Chipper Jones, who compared it to a "buzzsaw,"[51] (referring to its tendency of breaking left-handed hitters' bats) and Jim Thome, who called it "the single best pitch ever in the game."[52] Buster Olney of ESPN.com referred to Rivera's cut fastball as "the most dominant pitch of a generation."[53] 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 Rivera to avoid being jammed on the hands by his cutter.[54][55]

Legacy

Although the subject is continuously debated, some people in the baseball world consider Rivera the best relief pitcher in postseason history[4][5][6] and the greatest closer in baseball history.[7][8][9][10] 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."[10] Joe Torre, who has managed Rivera 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."[29] Elliott Kalb rated Rivera as the 62nd greatest player of all time and suggests Rivera may be the "best relief pitcher in Yankee history" and the "possibly best relief pitcher in baseball history."[56] Although voters have historically been reluctant to allow relievers into the Hall of Fame,[8] many sports writers and baseball experts anticipate Rivera will be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, once he retires.[6][8][37]

Additionally, many have praised Rivera for his humility and generosity.[3][6][37] Rivera is very involved with philanthropic contributions in his native Panama, which includes 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.[57]

Awards and honors

Rivera won the World Series MVP Award and Babe Ruth Award in 1999, after recording 2 saves and a win in the World Series, as well as the 2003 American League Championship Series MVP Award.[1] Rivera has also won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award four times (1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005).[1] In honor of the men and women who served New York City during the 9/11 attacks and since relief pitchers are sometimes referred to as "firemen", he donated his 2001 trophy to the New York City Fire Department.[57] It is on permanent display at the FDNY's Brooklyn headquarters. Rivera has also won MLB.com's Closer of the Year Award in 2004, 2005 and 2006[46] and the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award in 2005 and 2006.[45] Rivera is also a five-time The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award recipient, earning the honor in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005. Other honors include being voted Baseball America's 1st-Team Major League All-Star reliever in 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005 and being named the New York Yankees Player of the Year in 2005.

Accomplishments

Rivera has accomplished numerous feats in his Major League career:

  • Holds MLB record for lowest postseason ERA of all-time (0.80) (as of 2006)[13]
  • Holds MLB record for most postseason saves of all-time (34) [12]
  • Holds MLB record for lowest career ERA of closers with at least 150 career saves (2.29) (as of 2006) [58]
  • Holds MLB record for pitching 34 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in postseason[25]
  • Holds MLB record for converting 23 consecutive postseason saves [24]
  • Second-best save conversion percentage of closers with at least 150 saves (89.8%) (1999-2006) [59]
  • One of two pitchers to record 40 saves in 6 different seasons [60]
  • 3rd all-time in career saves (437), 2nd all-time among active pitchers (as of September 7, 2007)[11]
  • One of five pitchers to record 300 saves with one team, and the second to record 400 with one team [61]
  • One of eight pitchers to record at least 50 saves in a season [62]
  • One of two pitchers to record at least 50 saves in two separate seasons [62]
  • Holds MLB record for most two-inning postseason saves (12)[26]
  • Holds MLB record for most saves in American League history (437) (as of September 7, 2007)[42]
  • Holds MLB record for most World Series saves (9) [63]
  • Holds MLB record for lowest ERA in Division Series (0.42) [57]
  • Has 3rd most seasons with at least 30 saves (9)[57]
  • Has 2nd most consecutive seasons with at least 25 saves (10)[57]
  • Only reliever to win ALCS MVP (2003) and World Series MVP (1999) awards[64]
  • Holds MLB record for most seasons with 20-plus saves and sub-2.00 ERA (7) [65]
  • 8-time All-Star (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)[1]
  • 4-time World Series champion (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000)[1]
  • Holds Yankee record for single season strikeouts by a reliever (130)[66]
  • Holds MLB record for most appearances in postseason history (73) [12]
  • Yankees' all-time leader in WHIP (1.04), saves (437), appearances (777), and games finished (651) (as of September 7, 2007) [67]
  • Named the relief pitcher on Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team
  • Finished 3rd in voting for American League Cy Young Award in 1996,[68] 1999,[69] 2004;[31] finished 2nd in 2005[38]
  • One of three pitchers since 1998 to finish in top 10 in voting for American League Most Valuable Player Award (2004,[31] 2005[38] - 9th place)
  • One of two pitchers to save 3 All-Star Games (1997, 2005, 2006)[40]
  • Only pitcher to close out 3 World Series

Personal life

Rivera married his wife Clara on November 9, 1991. They have three sons: Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel.[57]

Mariano is the cousin of former Yankee Rubén Rivera.[57]

Rivera, a deeply religious Christian, maintains that God has a reason for everything that happens. For example, Rivera found his failure in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series much 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." [70] Perhaps as a way to illustrate his faith, Rivera's pitching glove is inscribed with a reference to Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.")

Rivera recently became a partner in a new restaurant in New Rochelle, New York called "Mo's New York Grill".[71]

Career statistics

    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 3.44 24 55.0 57 21 6 56  -  -  -  -  -
13 years Totals 62 44 2.35 437 936.2 748 266 232 839 8 1 0.80 34 112.2

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Mariano Rivera Statistics". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
  2. ^ Mariano's stats and biobox from Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Rivera has also been called "The Sandman".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Antonen, Mel (2006-10-09). "Yanks' Rivera continues to learn". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-08-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Yankees closer will return for game". Associated Press. 2004-10-12. Retrieved 2006-08-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Curry, Jack. "Familiarity helps Sox hit Rivera". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  6. ^ a b c d Verducci, Tom (2004-06-01). "Gotta get to Mo". Sports Illustrated. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b Pedulla, Tom (2005-10-03). "Yankees' Rivera saves best for last". USA Today. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e f O'Dwyer, Kieran (2006-07-27). "A cutter above". The Sporting News. Retrieved 2006-08-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b Kornheiser, Tony (2004-02-16). "Time to Put Away the Sox". Washington Post. p. D01. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Buster Olney (2004-06-28). "The Confidence Man: Inside the mind of baseball's greatest closer, Mariano Rivera". New York Magazine.
  11. ^ a b c "Rivera's 425th passes Franco". NY Daily News. 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2007-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d "Career Pitching Postseason Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  13. ^ a b c Botte, Peter (2005-10-10). "Mo shuts door to keep season very much open". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b "Rivera 'blessed' to wear No. 42". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  15. ^ "Mariano Rivera Career Stats". CBS Sportsline.
  16. ^ "Mariano Rivera: Major League, Minor League and college statistics". The Baseball Cube. 2006-07-19. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Mariano Rivera Stats". ESPN.com.
  18. ^ a b c d "Mariano Rivera Biography". Baseball Library.
  19. ^ Verducci, Tom (1998-09-25). "In '96, everyone was Mr. October". CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2007-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Frommer, Harvey (1996). The New York Yankee Encyclopedia. Simon & Schuster.
  21. ^ "Enter Sandman Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
  22. ^ a b c Paul White. "Confidence game as closer has few winners". USA Today.
  23. ^ Current Major League Baseball closers
  24. ^ a b Schoenfield, David (2001-11-05). "Frozen Moment: Rivera finally fails". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ a b "New York Yankees 9, Seattle Mariners 7". Retrosheet. 2000-10-17. Retrieved 2007-07-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) The boxscore states Rivera's streak was broken at 34 innings, but the record-keeping done by this website only counts whole innings. For all intents of purposes of demonstrating the full length of the streak, it is listed here as 34 1/3 innings. Checking individual box scores on Retrosheet from the beginning until the end of the streak confirms this.
  26. ^ a b Schechter, Gabriel. "A Closer Look: The Evolution of the Closer". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  27. ^ Chris DeRosa. ""C" is For Closers: Enter Sandman". ESPN.com.
  28. ^ Fordin, Spencer (2003-10-17). "Press Row: Move over, Dent". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-07-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ a b "Yankees' Rivera inks extension". CBC. 2004-03-23.
  30. ^ Gagliano, Anthony (2004-05-29). "Rivera earns 300th career save". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-07-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ a b c "Baseball Awards Voting for 2004". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  32. ^ "2004 AL Division Series-Yankees vs. Twins". Baseball-Reference.
  33. ^ "Mariano Rivera Individual Player Stats - 2004 Postseason". MLB.com.
  34. ^ a b Shaughnessy, Dan (2005-04-07). "Opening series almost too much for us to take". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Klapisch, Bob (2005-04-07). "Red Sox show Rivera who's boss". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2006-12-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Feinsand, Mark (2005-04-11). "Rivera has some fun with Sox fans". MLB.com. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ a b c O'Connor, Ian (2005-11-08). "Rivera's season stellar despite Cy Young results". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-07-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ a b c "Baseball Awards Voting for 2005". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  39. ^ Feinsand, Mark (2006-07-10). "Guillen tabs Rivera as AL stopper". MLB.com. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  40. ^ a b "Young's two-run triple in ninth lifts AL All-Stars". ESPN. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Associated Press (2006-06-20). "Howard's 7 RBIs not enough for Phils". The Sporting News. Retrieved 2007-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ a b Mink, Ryan (2006-07-16). "Rivera notches save No. 400". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-07-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ Associated Press (2006-08-31). "Rivera's MRI shows mild muscle strain". Sporting News. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
  44. ^ Feinsand, Mark (2006-09-10). "Notes: Rivera to sit one more week". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
  45. ^ a b "Delivery Man of the Month/Year Award by DHL". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  46. ^ a b "2006: This Year in Baseball Awards". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  47. ^ "Mariano Rivera Stats and Splits". ESPN.com.
  48. ^ Howard, Johnette (2007-05-09). "Mo's expressions worrisome". Newsday. Retrieved 2007-05-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ Verducci, Tom (2000-03-22). "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. Retrieved 2007-05-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  50. ^ Stark, Jayson. "The pitches that scare major leaguers". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  51. ^ "Authors take on Ruthian legends". The San Diego Union-Tribune. March 8, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  52. ^ Curry, Jack (2006-07-17). "End in Sight, Guillén Shows Respect With a Rare Retreat". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) (preview only)
  53. ^ Buster Olney (2006-09-29). "20 best postseason weapons". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-09-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) (preview only)
  54. ^ Kepner, Tyler (2004-03-23). "For Yankees and Rivera, It's Case Closed". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-07-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  55. ^ "AL East". Sporting News. 2005-07-08. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ Kalb, Elliott (2005). Who's Better Who's Best in Baseball?. McGraw Hill.
  57. ^ a b c d e f g "Mariano Rivera Biography and Career Highlights". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  58. ^ "Major League Baseball Pitching Stats, Career All Time". MLB.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  59. ^ "Mariano Rivera: Sure Thing". Baseball-fever.com. 2003-10-17. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  60. ^ "Career Leaders for Saves". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  61. ^ "MLB scoreboard: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Devil Rays". ESPN. 2004-05-28. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. ^ a b "Single-Season Leaders for Saves". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  63. ^ "Mariano Rivera Individual Player Postseason Stats". MLB.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  64. ^ Dennis Eckersley is the only other reliever to win the ALCS MVP Award and he did not win the World Series MVP.
  65. ^ Stark, Jayson (2006-01-10). "Sutter's time is now". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. ^ "Mariano Rivera 1996 Career Highlights". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
  67. ^ "New York Yankees Pitching Leaders". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
  68. ^ "1996 American League Cy Young Award". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  69. ^ "1999 American League Cy Young Award". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  70. ^ Olney, Buster (2005-05-02). "Epilogue: 'The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty'". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ "Mo Gets More on his Plate". New York Daily News. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Preceded by World Series MVP
1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Babe Ruth Award
1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American League Championship Series MVP
2003 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mariano_Rivera&oldid=156469162"