Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, a surefire future Hall of Famer considered by many to be "The Greatest Closer of All-Time."

Related Topics:
November 29 - 1969 - Relief pitcher - New York Yankees - Hall of Famer - Closer

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Born in Panama City, Panama, his rookie season in the Major Leagues was 1995, in which he made a limited number of appearances. In 1996, he served primarily as a set-up man for the closer John Wetteland. During that season, if the Yankees were leading after six innings, they were nearly assured of victory due to the stellar pitching of both relievers. Despite playing in a position that rarely gets respect, Rivera still managed to come in third for the Cy Young Award voting, behind twenty-game winners Pat Hentgen and teammate Andy Pettitte, respectively.

Related Topics:
Panama City - Panama - Rookie - Major Leagues - 1995 - 1996 - Set-up man - Closer - John Wetteland - Cy Young Award - Pat Hentgen - Andy Pettitte

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When Wetteland left the team following that season (in which they won the World Series), Rivera became the Yankees' closer and has remained so through 2005. He has been one of the most consistent, dependable relief pitchers in the Major Leagues during his tenure as a closer for the Yankees. Rivera has been especially overpowering in the postseason, in which his lifetime ERA of 0.75 is the Major League record. Rivera's postseason dominance played a key role in the Yankees' four championships in five years in the late 1990s.

Related Topics:
World Series - 2005 - Postseason - ERA - 1990s

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From 1997 to 2001, Rivera converted 23 postseason saves successfully and pitched 34 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason, both Major League records. Rivera's most infamous moment in the postseason occurred in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, when he blew the save in the bottom of the 9th inning despite striking out the side the previous inning. Since then, Rivera has been less consistent in the postseason, but Rivera's performance after blowing that save is second only to his performance before that game. In 2003, he would have arguably his best postseason performance ever, when he pitched 3 shutout innings in a Game 7 victory over the powerful Boston Red Sox.

Related Topics:
1997 - 2001 - Saves - 2001 World Series - 2003 - Boston Red Sox

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In 2005, Rivera converted 31 consecutive save opportunities, his career record, in addition to his save in the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit.

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Rivera has won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award three times, in 1999, 2001, and 2004. He donated his 2001 trophy to the New York City Fire Department, and the trophy is on permanent display at the FDNY's Brooklyn headquarters. He won the World Series MVP Award in 1999, when which the Yankees swept the Atlanta Braves in four games and Rivera earned two saves.

Related Topics:
Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award - 1999 - 2004 - New York City Fire Department - World Series MVP Award - 1999 - Atlanta Braves

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Rivera's signature pitch is his cut fastball, or cutter, which he mixes with both a four-seam and two-seam fastball.

Related Topics:
Cut fastball - Four-seam - Two-seam fastball

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As Rivera enters a game in Yankee Stadium, the song "Enter Sandman" by Metallica is played on the loudspeaker system.

Related Topics:
Yankee Stadium - Enter Sandman - Metallica

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His uniform number is 42, which has been retired by all Major League Baseball teams since 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson. However, Rivera is permitted to use the number due to a grandfather clause, and he is the last active Major League player to wear the number.

Related Topics:
Jackie Robinson - Grandfather clause

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Some of Rivera's accomplishments include:

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• Lowest postseason ERA of all-time (0.75) (as of 2004)
• Most postseason saves of all-time (25) (as of 2004)
• Lowest career ERA of closers in top 50 of career saves (2.35) (as of 2005)
• Second-best save conversion percentage of closers with at least 150 saves (87.5%) (as of 2004)
• Only 2nd closer in history to record 40 saves in 5 different seasons
• 5th all-time in career saves (379), 2nd all-time among active pitchers (through the 2005 season)
• Only 3rd pitcher in history to notch 300 saves with one team
• One of only 8 pitchers to record at least 50 saves in a season
• One of only 6 pitchers to record at least 53 saves in a season
• Holds record for 34 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings pitched in postseason
• Recorded 11 2-inning saves in the postseason (as of 2003)
• Most saves in World Series play (8)
• Only reliever to win ALCS (2003) and World Series MVP (1999) awards
• 7-time All-Star
• 4-time World Series champion
• Yankees' all-time leader in saves and appearances

See also

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• List of players from Panama in Major League Baseball
 
Mariano Rivera: External links ►