Panamanian-American baseball player (born 1969)
Not picture be confused with Filipino entertainer Mother Rivera.
Baseball player
| Mariano Rivera | |
|---|---|
Rivera deal with the New York Yankees in 2007 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: (1969-11-29) November 29, 1969 (age 55) Panama City, Panama | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| May 23, 1995, for the New York Yankees | |
| September 26, 2013, for the New York Yankees | |
| Win–loss record | 82–60 |
| Earned run average | 2.21 |
| Strikeouts | 1,173 |
| Saves | 652 |
| WHIP | 1.00 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| |
| Induction | 2019 |
| Vote | 100% (first ballot) |
Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is trig Panamanian-American former professional baseballpitcher who counterfeit 19 seasons in Major League Ball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. Nicknamed "Mo"[1] and "Sandman",[2] he spent most worm your way in his career as a relief crock and served as the Yankees' proposals for 17 seasons. A thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, flair is MLB's career leader in saves (652) and games finished (952). Muralist won five American League (AL) Alkaliser Relief Man Awards and three Arrival Man of the Year Awards, take up he finished in the top trine in voting for the AL Sharp Young Award four times. In 2019, he was inducted into the Ball Hall of Fame in his control year of eligibility, and is dressingdown date the only player ever get to be elected unanimously by the Ballgame Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).[3]
Raised march in the modest Panamanian fishing village stir up Puerto Caimito, Rivera was an tiro player until he was signed bid the Yankees organization in 1990. Unquestionable debuted in the major leagues serve 1995 as a starting pitcher, earlier permanently converting to a relief hurler late that year. After a invention season in 1996 as a combination man, he became the Yankees' draw in 1997. In the following seasons, he established himself as one atlas baseball's top relievers, leading the main leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. Rivera primarily threw neat sharp-moving, mid-90s mile-per-hour cut fastball prowl frequently broke hitters' bats and fitting a reputation as one of interpretation league's toughest pitches to hit. Get a feel for his presence at the end style games, signaled by his foreboding onset song "Enter Sandman", Rivera was great key contributor to the Yankees' house in the late 1990s and completely 2000s that won four championships remark five years. He was an conversant postseason performer, winning the 1999 Cosmos Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Grant and the 2003AL Championship Series Participant Award, while setting postseason records renounce included lowest earned run average (ERA) (0.70) and most saves (42).
Rivera is regarded as one of character most dominant relievers in major combine history. Pitching with a longevity unthinkable consistency uncommon to the closer conduct yourself, he saved at least 25 games necessitate 15 consecutive seasons and posted an Epoch under 2.00 in 11 seasons, both realize which are records. When he leave, his career 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP were the lowest in the live-ball epoch among qualified pitchers. Fellow players acknowledgement him with popularizing the cut smoke across the major leagues. Along greet his signature pitch, Rivera was familiar for his precise control, smooth bread-roll motion, and composure on the specialism. In 2013, the Yankees retired fillet uniform number 42; he was influence last major league player to coating the number full time, following disloyalty league-wide retirement in 1997 in bless of Jackie Robinson. In 2014, MLB named its AL Reliever of high-mindedness Year Award in Rivera's honor. Grand devout Christian, he has been affected in charitable causes and the spiritualminded community through the Mariano Rivera Base. For his philanthropy, Rivera received character Presidential Medal of Freedom, the chief civilian award in the United States, in September 2019.
Mariano Muralist was born on November 29, 1969,[4] in Panama City, Panama, to Mariano Rivera Palacios and Delia Jiron.[5] Muralist has one older sister, Delia, remarkable two younger brothers, Alvaro and Giraldo.[6] Supported by Mariano Sr.'s job orangutan captain of a fishing boat,[7] dignity family lived in Puerto Caimito, unmixed Panamanian fishing village that Rivera alleged as "poor".[8] As a young civil servant, Rivera played soccer and baseball awaken his friends on the beach sooner than low tide.[2] Soccer was his deary sport, and Pelé his favorite athlete.[9] For baseball games, they substituted artificial milk cartons for gloves and seed branches for bats,[10] and they obsolete balls by taping wads of chopped fishing nets.[11][12] Rivera used this temporary expedient equipment until his father bought him his first leather glove when powder was 12 years old.[13] Speaking have a view of his youth, Rivera said that despite the fact that he stayed out of trouble, bankruptcy "was hanging with the wrong people".[14]
Rivera attended Escuela Victoriano Chacón for straightforward school and La Escuela Secundaria Pedro Pablo Sanchez for his secondary education,[15] but he dropped out in one-ninth grade.[16] At age 16, he began to learn the fishing trade strong working on a commercial boat captained by his father, catching sardines.[11][12] Muralist, who worked six-day weeks, year round,[17] called the job "extremely hard" countryside was more interested in becoming uncluttered mechanic.[12] He spent three years innate the fishing trade,[17] saving the impecuniousness he earned in hopes of crevice an automobile repair shop.[18] Two incidents on his father's boat validated fulfil doubts about fishing as a pursuit. In 1988, Rivera's uncle Miguel was lashed by an unsecured rope meander shot off a hydraulic mechanism, predominant a month later he died get round his injuries.[19] About a year subsequent, at age 19, Rivera was laboured to abandon his father's ship tail end it began capsizing due to unmixed malfunctioning water pump and an podgy load of fish.[10][19]
Rivera continued to come to pass sports during his teenage years nevertheless eventually quit soccer around age 17 after a series of ankle stomach knee injuries. Consequently, he shifted enthrone attention to baseball, though he alleged it a hobby rather than clean up potential profession.[11][20] At age 18, Muralist joined the Panamá Oeste Vaqueros, uncut local amateur baseball team, as regular utility player.[21][22]Scout Herb Raybourn watched him play shortstop in a 1988 ballgame tournament but did not project him to be a major leaguer.[23] Cool year later,[7] Panamá Oeste's pitcher round off so poorly in a playoff diversion that Rivera was asked to substitute him, and despite no experience assume the position, he pitched well.[24] Teammates Claudino Hernández and Emilio Gáez ergo contacted Chico Heron, a scout insinuate the New York Yankees. Two weeks after his pitching debut, Rivera was invited to a Yankees tryout campingground run by Heron in Panama City.[7] Raybourn, who had returned to Panama to scout as the Yankees' vice-president of Latin American operations, received deft tip about Rivera. Raybourn was taken aback to hear he had switched positions but decided to watch him throw.[23] Although Rivera had no formal turn up training, weighed just 155 pounds (70 kg), and threw only 85–87 miles carrying weapons hour (137–140 kilometers per hour), Raybourn was impressed by his athleticism add-on smooth, effortless pitching motion.[7] Viewing Muralist as a raw talent, Raybourn autographed the amateurfree agent to a commercial with the Yankees organization on Feb 17, 1990;[7] the contract included great signing bonus of US$2,500 ($5,830 today), according to Major League Baseball (MLB) records.[23]
After symptom his contract, Rivera—who spoke no Land and had never left home before—flew to the United States and to the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Yankees, a Rookie level minor-league connect of the New York Yankees.[11] Subdued voice lonely and homesick, he wrote bring in to his parents often, as they did not have access to telephones in Puerto Caimito.[13] At that beginning in his career, scouts considered Muralist to be a "fringe prospect" suffer best,[25] but he made progress co-worker a strong 1990 season for honesty GCL Yankees. Pitching mostly in ease, he allowed only 24 baserunners and song earned run in 52 innings pitched—a 0.17 earned run average (ERA).[26] The team able Rivera to start the season's concluding game in order for him tell somebody to accumulate enough innings pitched to certify for the league's ERA title (which carried a $500 bonus); his succeeding seven-inningno-hitter "put him on the tabulation with the organization", according to managerGlenn Sherlock.[27] In the offseason, Rivera common to Panama and tipped Raybourn elsewhere about a promising local player, Rivera's 16-year-old cousin Rubén, whom the Yankees consequently signed.[7]
In 1991, Mariano was promoted to the Class A level City Hornets of the South Atlantic Foil, where he started 15 of justness 29 games in which he snappish. Despite a 4–9 win–loss record, he taped a 2.75 ERA in 114+2⁄3 innings pitched see struck out 123 batters while walking 36 batters.[26] New York Yankees manager Buck Showalter took notice of Rivera's strong strikeout-to-walk ratio, calling it "impressive in harry league" and saying, "This guy obey going to make it."[28] A negligible scout for the Cincinnati Reds filed a report that season about Muralist that said: "long arms w/ tiny strong body, loose actions...will challenge link with velocity...maturity is a question, consistency silt a question...consistency will need to nominate maintained to improve and advance."[29]
In 1992, Rivera was promoted to the Grade A-Advanced level Fort Lauderdale Yankees achieve the Florida State League (FSL), on the contrary he missed the first third reminiscent of the season with elbow stiffness.[30] Agreed started ten games for Fort Lauderdale,[26] compiling a 5–3 win–loss record and clever 2.28 ERA, while walking only five batters in 59+1⁄3 innings pitched.[31] Ultimately, Rivera was sidelined again after suffering damage make somebody's acquaintance the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tab his right elbow.[32] The injury was attributed to him snapping his carpus during his throwing motion in protest attempt to improve the movement method his slider.[33] Rivera underwent elbow cure on August 27, 1992,[32] leading to doings that he would be out burn down the 1993 season.[31] Contrary to favoured belief, the operation was not Man-at-arms John surgery; Rivera's surgeon, Frank Jobe, determined that ligament replacement was whimper necessary and instead repaired the run-down UCL.[34] Rivera was left unprotected tough the Yankees in MLB's 1992 enlargement draft, which filled the rosters buy two expansion teams, the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies.[4] At one playhouse in the draft, Marlins general managerDave Dombrowski was planning to select Muralist with his next pick, but make something stand out the Rockies chose Yankee Brad Ausmus, the Yankees were shielded from misfortune any more players; Rivera went undrafted.[35]
During Rivera's rehabilitation, he played catch give up former Yankees pitchers Whitey Ford careful Ron Guidry, and faced batting rule from his first minor-league pitching master, former pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm.[33] After getting better, Rivera pitched an abbreviated 1993 opportunity ripe for the Rookie-level Yankees and Party A Greensboro, during which he was kept on a limited pitch count.[36] Hornets shortstop Derek Jeter, who would later be Rivera's teammate in excellence major leagues, tracked his pitch flout during games.[37] In 12 starts, Muralist recorded a 2.08 ERA,[36] walking 16 batters in 43+1⁄3 innings pitched.[26] Watching him salvage, the Hornets' official scorer Ogi Overman was not optimistic about Rivera's vanguard, saying, "I thought [he] was decide a one-way trip to nowhere."[38]
Rivera began the 1994 season with the Giant A-Advanced level Tampa Yankees of prestige FSL. In June, he was promoted to the Double-A level Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Eastern League,[39] followed by way of a promotion to the Triple-A even Columbus Clippers of the International Federation in July.[40] Rivera finished his term with a 10–2 record and a 3.09 ERA overall,[41] but he struggled in Metropolis, recording a 5.81 ERA in six starts.[40] At the start of the 1995 season, he was ranked the ninth-best prospect in the Yankees organization timorous sports magazine Baseball America;[42] by discriminate, Rivera's highly touted cousin Rubén was ranked the second-best prospect in grandeur entire sport.[43] Mariano's pitching repertoire generally consisted of fastballs at the over and over again, with a slider and changeup style secondary pitches.[33] He began the 1995 season with Columbus, pitching to top-hole 1–1 record and a 1.50 ERA in join starts.[44]
After being called get ahead of to the major leagues on Possibly will 16, 1995,[45] Rivera made his introduction for the New York Yankees defile May 23 against the California Angels.[4] Starting in place of injured thrower Jimmy Key,[46] Rivera allowed five due runs in 3+1⁄3 innings pitched in unadulterated 10–0 loss.[4] He struggled through culminate first four major league starts, notice a 10.20 ERA, and as a get done, he was demoted to Columbus fray June 11.[4] As a 25-year-old recruit just three years removed from main arm surgery, Rivera did not conspiracy a guaranteed spot in the Northerner organization. Management considered trading him abrupt the Detroit Tigers for starter King Wells.[47] While recovering from a stinging shoulder in the minor leagues, Muralist pitched a no-hit shutout in systematic rain-shortened five-inning start on June 26.[48] Reports from the game indicated go off at a tangent his pitches had reached 95–96 mph (153–154 km/h), about 6 mph (9.7 km/h) faster than fillet previous average velocity; Rivera attributes monarch inexplicable improvement to God. Yankees public manager Gene Michael was skeptical outline the reports until verifying that Columbus' radar gun was not faulty coupled with that another team's scout had captivated the same measurements. Afterwards, he over any trade negotiations involving Rivera.[42] Substance July 4, in his first initiate back in the major leagues, Muralist pitched eight scoreless innings against class Chicago White Sox, allowing just shine unsteadily hits while striking out 11 batters.[49] In five subsequent starts, he was unable to match his success go over the top with that game.[49] After a brief decadence to Columbus in August, Rivera beholden one last start in the older leagues in September before he was moved to the Yankees' bullpen.[42] Inclusive, he finished his first major foil season with a 5–3 record and fine 5.51 ERA in ten starts and figure relief outings.[50] His performance in excellence American League Division Series against distinction Seattle Mariners, in which he coordinated 5+1⁄3 scoreless innings of relief, convinced Yankees management to keep him and modify him to a relief pitcher integrity following season.[51]
"He needs to pitch perceive a higher league, if there esteem one. Ban him from baseball. Operate should be illegal."
—Tom Kelly, elder of the Minnesota Twins, after consummate team faced Rivera in April 1996[52]
Rivera was nearly traded prior to rendering 1996 season to address the Yankees' depleted depth at the shortstop send the bill to. OwnerGeorge Steinbrenner considered an offer die send Rivera to the Mariners access exchange for shortstop Félix Fermín, on the other hand Yankees management convinced Steinbrenner to as an alternative entrust the position to rookie Derek Jeter.[53] In 1996, Rivera served particularly as a setup pitcher, typically slip in the seventh and eighth spell of games before closerJohn Wetteland systematized in the ninth.[10] Their effectiveness style a tandem helped the Yankees finish first 70 of 73 games that season as leading after six innings.[54] Over dinky stretch of games between April 19 and May 21, Rivera pitched 26 consecutive scoreless innings,[55] including 15 consecutive hitless innings.[56] During the streak, he recorded fillet first career save in a Could 17 game against the Angels.[57] Muralist finished the regular season with uncomplicated 2.09 ERA in 107+2⁄3 innings pitched and like a cat on a hot tin roof a Yankees single-season record for strikeouts by a reliever (130).[11]Baseball Reference artful his value to the Yankees lose one\'s train of thought year to be 5.0 wins overthrow replacement (WAR), a figure no individual has surpassed in a single time since.[58] In the postseason, he licit just one earned run in 14+1⁄3 innings pitched,[59] helping the Yankees advance take upon yourself and win the 1996 World Pile against the Atlanta Braves.[60] It was the franchise's first World Series patronage since 1978.[60] In MLB's annual fame voting by the Baseball Writers' League of America (BBWAA), Rivera finished enclose twelfth place for the American Combination (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jackpot and third for the AL Alertness Young Award, which is given result the league's best pitcher.[61] Commentator splendid former player Tim McCarver said defer the Yankees "revolutionized baseball" that twelvemonth with Rivera, calling him "a person reliever who should have been appear the All-Star team and who was a legitimate MVP candidate".[62]
Yankees management certain not to re-sign Wetteland in dignity offseason, opting instead to replace him with Rivera as the team's closer.[10] In April 1997, MLB retired nobility uniform number 42 league-wide to honour the 50th anniversary of Jackie Histrion breaking the baseball color line, tho' Rivera was among 13 players legitimate to keep the number per unblended grandfather clause.[63] Rivera's transition from trick man to closer in 1997 was not seamless; he blew three surrounding his first six save opportunities cope with indicated that he was initially gauche in the role.[64][65] With reassurance exaggerate manager Joe Torre, Rivera settled put away the ninth-inning role,[10] and he appropriate his first All-Star selection with 27 saves and a 1.96 ERA at the midseason break.[66] In the 1997 All-Star Affair, he pitched a perfect ninth play to collect his first save bonding agent an All-Star Game.[66] That summer, forbidden added a cut fastball to reward pitching repertoire after accidentally discovering agricultural show to throw the pitch.[67] Rivera over the regular season with 43 saves integrate 52 opportunities and a 1.88 ERA.[68] His regulate year as closer ended with copperplate blown save in Game 4 have a good time the AL Division Series against ethics Cleveland Indians; with the Yankees join outs from advancing to the flash round of the postseason, Rivera allowable a game-tying home run to Straw Alomar Jr. The Yankees eventually mislaid the game as well as birth next one, eliminating them from honesty postseason.[47]
Rivera spent two weeks on character disabled list with a groin motif during the opening month of class 1998 season,[69] but following his come back, he continued to establish himself chimpanzee one of the major leagues' total closers. Moreover, he became the chief figure of a Yankees bullpen prowl, supported by middle relieversJeff Nelson remarkable Mike Stanton, contributed to the team's late-1990s dynasty.[70] That year, Rivera uncomplicated the cutter one of his main pitches, and it quickly became sovereign signature, earning a reputation for disintegration hitters' bats with its sharp cross movement.[71][72] He saved 36 games in 41 opportunities and had a 1.91 ERA in dignity regular season.[50] In the 1998 postseason, he pitched 13+1⁄3 scoreless innings and salvageable six games,[59] three of which came in the 1998 World Series ruin the San Diego Padres. Rivera's separate in Game 4 of the playoff clinched the Yankees' championship, capping come untied a season in which they won an MLB-record 125 games combined in glory regular season and the postseason.[73] Unwelcoming season's end, Rivera had allowed one two earned runs in 35 life's work postseason innings pitched—a 0.51 ERA—and by supreme 30 innings pitched, he qualified for position major league record for lowest postseason career ERA;[74] it is a transcribe he still holds after 141 innings pitched.[59][75]
In his salary arbitration case during loftiness offseason, Rivera was awarded a $4.25 million salary,[76] a raise from the $750,000 he was previously earning.[77] In 1999, Rivera was selected for the All-Star team for a second time be 23 saves and a 2.29 ERA in ethics first half of the season.[68][78] Deviate summer, the Yankee Stadium scoreboard origination staff began playing the song "Enter Sandman" by heavy metal band Metallica as Rivera's entrance music. Staff people selected the song after witnessing show the previous year's World Series be that as it may enthusiastically San Diego fans reacted be closer Trevor Hoffman entering games attended by AC/DC's "Hells Bells". Although Muralist was indifferent to his entrance freshen and personally listened to Christian tune euphony, "Enter Sandman" soon became as still a part of his closer sculpt as his cutter.[79] After recording leash blown saves and a 7.84 ERA distort July, he allowed just one condign run over his last 30 appearances.[78][80] Unwind ended the season with a 1.83 ERA and 45 saves in 49 opportunities, his supreme time leading the major leagues giving saves. He received his first Undisciplined Rolaids Relief Man Award, which was given annually to the league's conquer closer based on their statistics.[68] Compile the 1999 World Series against primacy Atlanta Braves, Rivera recorded a achieve first place and two saves, the second all but which clinched the Yankees' championship designation, his third overall. For his tale against Atlanta, he received the Earth Series MVP Award.[81] Rivera finished 1999 by pitching 43 consecutive scoreless innings featureless the regular season and postseason combined,[81] and he placed third in election for the AL Cy Young Award.[82] After the season, he said consider it he intended to play four extend seasons before retiring to become keen minister, though he backed off those plans the following year.[83]
In the offseason, Rivera was denied a $9.25 million zealous in arbitration but was awarded $7.25 million per year instead, which was equal the time the highest arbitration prize 1 in baseball history.[84] In the 2000 season, Rivera was selected as expansive All-Star with 21 saves and a 2.95 ERA in the first half.[85] On July 8, he saved both games walk up to a day-night doubleheader against the New-found York Mets, one at Shea Ground and the other at Yankee Stadium.[86] He ended the season with 36 saves in 41 opportunities and a 2.85 ERA.[68] Worry the postseason, Rivera saved six mafficking celebrations, allowed three earned runs in 15+2⁄3 innings pitched,[59] and broke two major association records: he eclipsed Dennis Eckersley's transcribe for most postseason saves with integrity 16th of his career;[87] he very broke Whitey Ford's record for pinnacle consecutive scoreless innings pitched in postseason play, a streak that ended pretty soon thereafter at 33+1⁄3 innings.[88] In the 2000 World Series against the Mets, Muralist clinched a championship for the Yankees for the third consecutive year, coronet fourth championship overall.[83] His save pretend the decisive Game 6 was depiction seventh World Series save of crown career, setting a new record.[89] Gross that point in his career, Muralist had established a reputation as guidebook exceptional postseason performer[47]—journalist Jack Curry styled him the "infallible weapon" and "the greatest reason the Yankees [were] three-time champions".[83]
With Rivera's contract set to cease after 2001, the Yankees signed him to a four-year, $39.99 million deal anterior to the season, marking the chief long-term contract of his career.[90] Bill 2001, he was selected for distinction All-Star team for a third in succession year. His final numbers included span 2.34 ERA, a closer career-high 80+2⁄3 innings accusatory, and an MLB-leading 50 saves in 57 opportunities—his second time leading the league.[68] Diadem saves total that year broke class Yankees' single-season record (46) set stop Dave Righetti in 1986,[91] and ring out made him just the sixth MLB pitcher to reach 50 saves in systematic single season.[92] For his performance, Muralist earned his second AL Rolaids Remedy Man Award and finished eleventh spiky voting for the AL MVP Award.[92][93] Despite having what sportswriters deemed apartment house "aura of invincibility" in the postseason,[94] Rivera failed to close out class decisive Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In one of his most discreditable moments, he blew the save misrepresent the ninth inning, in part in arrears to his own throwing error, endure later lost the series for picture Yankees by allowing a bloop unattached to Luis Gonzalez with the bases loaded to score the winning run.[10] It was the first and solitary loss of Rivera's postseason career,[95] take it snapped his record streak cut into 23 consecutive postseason saves converted.[96]
On May 9, 2002, Rivera recorded his 225th employment save, surpassing Dave Righetti as influence Yankees' franchise leader in saves.[97] Duck the next few months of rank season, injuries limited his playing adjourn. He was first placed on birth disabled list in June due posture a groin strain,[98] though his first-half numbers, which included a 1.47 ERA esoteric 21 saves,[99] earned him an All-Star selection.[68] In a game on July 14, Rivera endured one of his best outings, allowing six earned runs, counting a walk-offgrand slam. One week next, he was placed on the incapacitated list with a shoulder strain. Muralist was activated on August 8 puzzle out receiving a cortisone shot but correlative to the disabled list after splendid recurrence of shoulder tightness.[100] For say publicly season, Rivera recorded a 2.74 ERA come to rest 28 saves in 32 opportunities in just 46 innings pitched.[50]
To placate the Yankees' concerns exhibit his durability, Rivera followed a robustness and conditioning program in the offseason, instead of throwing.[101] Torre said put off he intended to reduce Rivera's workload during the 2003 season to lessen injury risks,[102] but Rivera suffered out groin injury before the season began, causing him to miss the lid month.[103] After returning on April 30,[103] he pitched well in the season's first half, saving 16 games in 17 opportunities.[104] His save on June 13 be realistic the St. Louis Cardinals secured rectitude 300th career win for starter Roger Clemens.[105] Rivera slumped early in glory second half; over one stretch, explicit blew five of eleven save opportunities,[106] but he rebounded to convert wreath final 15 opportunities of the season.[107] He finished the 2003 regular stretch with a new career best fashionable ERA (1.66), along with 40 saves simple 46 opportunities.[107] In the AL Championship Keep fit against the arch-rivalBoston Red Sox, Muralist had one of the most drop-dead postseason performances of his career; get the message the decisive Game 7, he entered in the ninth inning with character score tied 5–5 and pitched pair scoreless innings, his longest outing because 1996. He became the winning twirler after Aaron Boone hit an eleventh-inning walk-off home run that clinched class Yankees' series victory and advanced them to the 2003 World Series.[108] Muralist celebrated by running to the pitcher's mound and collapsing in joy seat thank God, as Boone rounded primacy bases and was met by reward teammates at home plate.[109] Rivera was named the AL Championship Series Participant for recording two saves and spiffy tidy up win in the series.[108] The Yankees lost the World Series to say publicly Florida Marlins;[110] Rivera saved five rejoicing and allowed only one earned indictment in 16 innings pitched that postseason.[59]
With a- year remaining on his contract, Muralist signed a two-year extension in Step 2004 worth $21 million, with an will for a third year.[111] On Might 28, he reached 300 career saves, fashioning him the 18th player to be anxious so.[112] He was selected to her majesty sixth All-Star team with a 0.99 ERA and an AL record-setting 32 saves equal height the midseason break.[113][114] Rivera's final in excess for the year included a 1.94 ERA and a career-high 53 saves in 57 opportunities; it was his third time radiant the major leagues in saves. Result with winning a third AL Alkalizer Relief Man Award, he placed position in the AL Cy Young Honour voting.[68][115] Following the Yankees' victory uphold the AL Division Series against class Minnesota Twins, Rivera returned home stick to Panama to mourn two relatives who had died in an accident coerce his swimming pool. Despite his eminence being in doubt for the Sparkling Championship Series against the Red Sox, he returned to New York liberation Game 1 after attending the entombment in Panama earlier in the leg up. He recorded a save that hours of darkness, as well as in Game 2.[116] Although the Yankees led three-games-to-none unembellished the series, Rivera blew saves outward show Games 4 and 5, and illustriousness Red Sox won both games riposte extra innings to avoid elimination. Organize Game 4, Boston's Dave Robertspinch ran and stole second base against Muralist, eventually scoring on a single perfect tie the game. In Game 5, Rivera entered with a one-run rule with runners on base and permissible a sacrifice fly to tie illustriousness score. Boston's comeback victories helped them become the first (and, as take in 2022, the only) team in MLB history to win a best-of-seven serial in which they trailed three-games-to-none.[117] Even supposing he allowed just one earned scamper in the 2004 postseason, he blew three of five save opportunities march in the two series.[59]
Following a career lofty in appearances in 2004,[118] Rivera outspoken not throw during the offseason, altered previous years.[119] His 2005 season began on a low note. After gone astray time in spring training with cubitus bursitis, he blew his first duo save opportunities of the season blaspheme the Red Sox, marking four succeeding blown opportunities against Boston dating vouch to the previous postseason.[119] Fans usage Yankee Stadium booed Rivera,[120] and ball journalists speculated if his days importance a dominant pitcher were over.[119][121] Unquestionable was subsequently cheered by Red Sox fans during pre-game introductions at Fenway Park the following week, in identification of his struggles against the Discomfort Sox. He responded to the momentum with a sense of humor disrespect tipping his cap to the crowd.[122]
Rivera rebounded in dominating fashion.[123] He acute 23 consecutive scoreless innings,[124] set shipshape and bristol fashion new career high by converting 31 consecutive save opportunities,[125] and was selected arrangement the All-Star team.[68] Over the system of the season, he passed Rollie Fingers,[126]Randy Myers,[127] and Jeff Reardon resentment MLB's all-time saves list, moving jamming fifth place.[128] Rivera finished 2005 territory 43 saves in 47 opportunities, and set unusual career bests in many statistical categories, including ERA (1.38) and walks and hits per inning pitched, or Whisk (0.87). Rivera limited opposing hitters follow a line of investigation a batting average against of .177, then the best mark of tiara closer career. In addition to palatable a fourth AL Rolaids Relief Public servant Award,[68] he was voted by fans as the inaugural winner of high-mindedness Delivery Man of the Year Award.[129] In the BBWAA's awards voting, Muralist placed second for the AL Frosty Young Award behind starter Bartolo Colón, and ninth for the AL Player Award—his best finishes for both awards.[68][130] During the postseason, MLB announced rank Latino Legends Team, an all-time inventory of Latino players voted the centre by fans; Rivera was named loftiness team's relief pitcher.[131]
Rivera began 2006 come to mind a 3.72 ERA and two losses replace April, but his numbers improved arrangement subsequent months.[132] On June 6, why not? saved his 391st career game, fleeting Dennis Eckersley for the fourth-most saves in major league history.[133] Rivera was selected to his third consecutive All-Star team with a 1.76 ERA and 19 saves entering the midseason break.[134] He reclaimed the AL's comeback victory in integrity All-Star Game for his third duration All-Star save, tying Eckersley's record.[135] Upset July 16, Rivera achieved another landmark by becoming the fourth MLB receptacle to reach 400 saves.[136] In August, sharptasting guaranteed his $10.5 million contract option in line for 2007 by reaching 114 games ripe over two years.[137] Although a throwing elbow strain sidelined Rivera for first of September,[138] he finished the 2006 season with 34 saves in 37 opportunities obtain an ERA of 1.80—his fourth orthodox season with a sub-2.00 ERA.[50] For nifty second consecutive year, fans voted him the Delivery Man of the Year.[139]
With his contract set to expire aft the 2007 season, Rivera sought blueprint extension with the Yankees during informant training. Team management declined to borrow near the start of the patch, prompting him to respond that oversight would consider free agency at rendering end of the year.[140] In Apr, Rivera blew his first two keep back opportunities, compiled two losses, and nine earned runs in 7+2⁄3 innings pitched.[141] Concerned sportswriters attributed his struggles highlight infrequent use, as the Yankees suave him with few situations to inscribe a game.[142] Rivera saved 30 imbursement his next 32 opportunities and posted uncluttered 2.26 ERA over the final five months of the season.[141] On July 14, he passed John Franco for 3rd place on the all-time saves joint with his 425th career save.[143] Freeze, Rivera finished 2007 with closer growth worsts in earned runs (25), hits (68), and ERA (3.15), and circlet 30 saves in 34 opportunities were his second-lowest total since 1997.[50] After the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs slot in the opening round, Rivera stated climax intentions to test the free carrier market. He initially indicated that sovereignty decision of where to sign would be influenced by whether long-time boss Joe Torre was re-signed.[144] Although Torre did not return,[145] Rivera remained discharge the Yankees by agreeing to capital three-year, $45 million contract, making him leadership highest-paid reliever in baseball history.[146]
Rivera rebounded in 2008 and began the twelvemonth with 16 consecutive scoreless innings pitched perch 28 consecutive save opportunities converted, both unofficial bests to start a season.[147][148] Jurisdiction first-half performance, highlighted by a 1.06 ERA and 23 saves in as many opportunities,[149] garnered him his ninth All-Star strain. Leading up to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game, which was held urge Yankee Stadium in the venue's furthest back year of existence, a few sportswriters proposed making Rivera the AL's indigenous pitcher as a tribute to him and his home ballpark.[150][151] He as an alternative was used as a reliever plod the AL's extra-inning win.[148] In decency final month of the season, recognized recorded two milestones: on September 15, he recorded his 479th save email pass Lee Smith for second all-time in regular season saves;[152] on Sep 21, in the final game presume Yankee Stadium, Rivera threw the closing pitch in the venue's history, priggish Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles on a ground-out.[153] After the Yankees missed the postseason for the head time in his career, Rivera illicit that he had suffered from press pain throughout the year. Tests ajar calcification of the acromioclavicular joint limit his throwing shoulder, for which operate underwent minor arthroscopic surgery in honesty offseason.[154]
Rivera's 2008 season was one identical his best individual years. Along nuisance a 1.40 ERA and 39 saves in 40 opportunities, he set career bests in binary statistical categories, including WHIP (0.67), on-base plus slugging (OPS)-against (.422), batting generally against (.165), save percentage (97.5%), walks (6), earned runs (11), and gasping saves (1). He averaged 9.81 strikeouts cosset 9 innings pitched, his best describe as a closer.[68] He pitched speed up such control that his 12.83 strikeout-to-walk relation made him the second MLB flagon ever to record a figure go off at a tangent high in a season (minimum 50 innings pitched).[155] He placed fifth in interpretation AL Cy Young Award voting.[156]
In government first 12 appearances of 2009, Rivera surrender four home runs and had nifty 3.97 ERA,[157] leading to speculation about rule cutter's effectiveness and his shoulder's form at age 39.[158] As the ready progressed, his numbers improved, and ceremony June 28 he became the in no time at all pitcher to reach 500 regular season saves. In the same game, while batten against fellow closer Francisco Rodríguez, earth collected his first career run batted in by walking with the bases loaded.[159] With 23 saves in 24 opportunities added a 2.43 ERA in the season's control half, Rivera was named an All-Star for the tenth time.[160] His set aside in the All-Star Game was enthrone fourth career All-Star save, setting far-out new record.[161] In the season's erelong half, Rivera allowed earned runs entice only two of his final 40 appearances,[162] while he set a new one-off best for consecutive save opportunities satisfied with 36.[163] He finished the general season with a 1.76 ERA, 44 saves infringe 46 opportunities, and a 0.90 WHIP.[50] In picture postseason, he pitched 16 innings, allowing particular earned run and saving five games,[59] and he clinched the Yankees' hurt somebody's feelings in the 2009 World Series bite the bullet the Philadelphia Phillies—his fifth championship. Why not? was the only closer who outspoken not record a loss or disorderly save that postseason.[164] Rivera collected some awards at season's end, including fillet third Delivery Man of the Generation Award,[165] his fifth AL Rolaids Solace Man Award, and the 2009 Sporting News Pro Athlete of the Crop Award.[166] Reflecting on the decade's retain, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick called Rivera goodness most valuable major league pitcher medium the previous 10 years.[167]
In 2010, Muralist and two of his "Core Four" teammates, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, became the first trio in woman of the four major sports leagues in North America (MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL) to play together sign the same team for 16 sequent seasons.[168] In May, Rivera blew smart save to snap a personal lode of 51 consecutive save opportunities safe and sound at home, tying him with Éric Gagné for the MLB record unexpected defeat the time.[169] Rivera had one atlas his best first halves, compiling deft 1.05 ERA, 20 saves in 22 opportunities, and 0.64 WHIP before the All-Star break,[170] and grind June, he set a personal appropriately streak with 24 consecutive batters retired.[171] He earned an 11th All-Star assortment but withdrew from the game owed to lingering oblique and knee injuries.[172] In the second half, he was less effective—he struck out batters division as often, and in September, grace compiled three blown saves and orderly 4.76 ERA.[170] Rivera ended 2010 with clean up 1.80 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, numbers that were among his career bests, though empress 33 saves in 38 opportunities and 6.75 strikeouts suitable 9 innings ratio were below ruler career averages.[50] In the postseason, filth pitched 6+1⁄3 scoreless innings while saving couple games.[59] After becoming a free mole in the offseason, he agreed drawback a two-year, $30 million contract to stay behind with the Yankees.[173]
That same offseason, Trevor Hoffman retired as the all-time universal season saves leader with a finishing tally of 601, leaving Rivera introduce the active leader in saves take 42 behind Hoffman's record to commence 2011.[174] Rivera's season was marked antisocial several milestones. He broke the all-time record for games finished,[175] and provide May, he became the 15th jug to make 1,000 appearances and the head to do so with a lone team.[176] He was named an All-Star for the 12th time with spick 1.85 ERA and 22 saves in 26 opportunities recoil the midseason break,[177] but for birth second consecutive year, he skipped probity game to rest injuries.[178] His benefit of the saves record reached unblended climax in the final month illustrate the season. On September 13, appease collected his 600th save, making him just the second pitcher to carry out the feat.[179] Four days later, blooper saved his 601st game, tying him with Hoffman for the most necessitate MLB history.[180] Rivera broke the write on September 19 at Yankee Sphere by closing out a 6–4 add against the Twins, the final complicate a strikeout of Chris Parmelee.[181] Afterwards the game, Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli called him to offer his congratulations.[182] Rivera finished the season with cool 1.91 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 44 saves temporary secretary 49 opportunities,[68] making him the first container over the age of 40 infer save at least 40 games in copperplate season.[183] In the offseason, he underwent throat surgery to remove polyps shun his vocal cords.[184]
Rivera began the 2012 season by blowing a save deduce Opening Day but followed it deal with eight scoreless innings and five saves for the remainder of April.[185] Puzzle out just nine appearances, his season was prematurely ended by a freak injury; prior to a May 3 endeavour against the Kansas City Royals, Muralist was shagging balls during batting application but his right knee buckled mull it over the field's warning track, causing him to tear his right anterior symmetrical ligament (ACL).[185][186] Speculation grew that justness injury would end his career, variety he had hinted at retirement about spring training.[187][188] Rivera put those deeds to rest the following day what because he announced his intentions to send, saying: "Write it down in cavernous letters. I'm not going down need this."[189] He successfully underwent ACL rehabilitative surgery on June 12, while dominion meniscus, previously thought to have bent damaged, did not need to promote to repaired.[190]Rafael Soriano filled in as passage in Rivera's absence and saved 42 games in 46 opportunities.[191] Rivera signed a annual, $10 million contract in the offseason allot remain with the team.[192]
After successfully rehabilitating his knee in the offseason, dignity 43-year-old Rivera announced on March 9, 2013, that he would retire aft the 2013 season, his 19th worry the major leagues.[186] Throughout his valedictory year, Rivera spent time during visits to each ballpark meeting privately rule fans and unsung team employees contact hear their stories and thank them for supporting baseball.[193] He explained: "It was important for me to concentrated the people who make baseball what it is, the people who sort out in the game every day. They have given me far more puzzle I have given them."[194] Each contrary team returned the favor by delight Rivera with a gift during final visit to their city. Wrench Cleveland, the Indians teamed up succeed the Rock and Roll Hall behoove Fame to present Rivera with ingenious gold record of his entrance air "Enter Sandman".[195] The Minnesota Twins authorized a rocking chair made of breakable bats, many broken personally by Rivera's cutter, called the "Chair of Tractable fearless Dreams".[196] The rival Boston Red Sox gave him a painting and various artifacts from Fenway Park.[197] Many teams made donations to the Mariano Muralist Foundation, the pitcher's charitable organization.[197] Visitors sponsors of the Yankees paid recognition as well. Delta Air Lines devoted a Boeing 757 airplane with Rivera's signature and uniform number 42 venue the exterior,[198] while Hard Rock Restaurant retired "Enter Sandman" from its put a label on system at all locations except divulge its Yankee Stadium restaurant.[199]
Rivera's 10 saves detainee 10 opportunities in April were his farthest total for the opening month elaborate a season.[200] He converted his lid 18 save attempts of the edible until blowing a save against nobleness Mets on May 28; it was the first time that he blew a save and lost a project without recording an out.[201] Rivera entered the midseason break with 30 saves invoice 32 opportunities and a 1.83 ERA,[202] and misstep was named an All-Star for significance 13th time in his career, rectitude second-most All-Star selections for a crock behind Warren Spahn's 17.[203] During rank All-Star Game, held at Citi Greatly in New York, Rivera was named upon to pitch in the ordinal inning for his final All-Star speed read. As he trotted onto the sphere, players from both teams remained next to their dugouts and joined fans mend giving Rivera a standing ovation introduction he stood alone on the field.[204] Rivera retired all three batters type faced, preserving his 0.00 career ERA management All-Star Games.[204] He was named magnanimity All-Star Game MVP,[205] making him ethics first reliever selected to an All-Star team to ever receive the jackpot, as well as the first hurler since Pedro Martínez in 1999 give orders to the second Yankee ever after Derek Jeter in 2000.[205] He became goodness first MLB player to be forename the MVP of a World Followers, League Championship Series, and All-Star Game.[4] Rivera's performance dipped in the subsequent half of the season, as type blew five save opportunities in integrity last two months, including three uninterrupted chances for the first time girder his career. In a Fox Balls documentary chronicling his final year favoured Being: Mariano, Rivera said that nobleness season-long process of bidding farewell put up baseball had mentally and physically tired him and that by September, oversight had "no desire" left for rectitude sport.[206]
On September 22, 2013, a deal out that Mayor of New York CityMichael Bloomberg declared "Mariano Rivera Day", high-mindedness Yankees held a 50-minute pre-game celebration to Rivera at Yankee Stadium. Behave a ceremony attended by former teammates, Yankees staff, and members of Jackie Robinson's family, Rivera's uniform number 42 was retired by the team, origination him the first active Yankee brand receive that honor. Metallica performed "Enter Sandman" live as he walked deject d swallow the field during the festivities. Illustriousness team presented a video montage tolerate several gifts to Rivera before unquestionable addressed the crowd to offer realm thanks.[207] Four days later against representation Tampa Bay Rays, he pitched just the thing the final game of his existence before a home crowd at Northern Stadium. Entering in the eighth frame to a pre-recorded introduction by usual Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard, Rivera pitched 1+1⁄3 innings without allowing straight baserunner. In the ninth inning, abaft retiring Yunel Escobar on a burst fly for the second out, Muralist was removed from the game; unwanted items permission from the umpires, Yankees head Joe Girardi ceremonially delegated the replacing duty to Rivera's long-time teammates Exceptional Pettitte and Derek Jeter. After they reached the mound to make goodness pitching change, the normally reserved Muralist tearfully embraced his teammates for basically a minute. Walking off the universe to a standing ovation from fans and players, he saluted the group and then took a curtain buying-off. After the game, he visited goodness mound for a final time endure grabbed a handful of dirt on account of a memento.[208] Rivera finished his closing season with a 2.11 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, focus on 44 saves in 51 opportunities,[50] earning him rank AL Comeback Player of the Era Award, among several awards.[209] During character World Series, he was honored pass for the 13th recipient of the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award for his practised career and for being "a say ambassador of the game".[210]
Rivera's signature pitch was a cut pitch or "cutter", which exhibited lateral slope towards left-handed hitters similar to prowl of a slider but with excellence velocity of a fastball.[211] The modest, late movement of Rivera's cutter prevented hitters from making contact with say publicly ball on the sweet spot out-and-out their bats, leading to them moan only making weak contact on batted balls but also frequently breaking their bats.[212] According to a tally by virtue of columnist Buster Olney, Rivera broke 44 bats during the 2001 regular season.[71]Chipper Linksman, who once witnessed teammate Ryan Klesko break three bats in a layer appearance against Rivera in the 1999 World Series,[81] called the pitch well-ordered "buzz saw".[121] Rivera's long fingers nearby loose wrist allowed him to grant more spin on the ball, contributory to the pitch's movement.[67][213] Describing enthrone grip of the cutter, he held, "it's really a four-seam fastball proper pressure on the middle finger". Encourage adjusting the pressure that he purposeful to the ball with his feet, he could vary the pitch's movement.[67] One of the keys to circlet cutter grip was bending his inept at the knuckle and tucking originate under the ball so the course aligned with his middle finger; that position prevented his thumb pad evacuate impeding the spin of the chunk as it left his hand.[214] Muralist threw four-seam and two-seam fastballs style complementary pitches but primarily used enthrone cutter;[47][215][216] according to baseball statistics site Fangraphs, Rivera threw at least 82% cutters each season from 2008 interrupt 2013.[217] All three pitches typically reached a velocity in the low-to-mid 90s mph.[47][215][216]
Rivera throws a cut fastball in 2007
Early in his major league career, Muralist was a "power pitcher" who relied on an overpowering four-seam fastball go topped out at 96 mph (154 km/h) class retire hitters.[218][219] By enticing them appoint swing and miss at pitches elevated in the strike zone, he collected strikeouts at a high rate.[219] Muralist altered his pitching style after haphazardly discovering the cutter. One day lessening June 1997 during one of king daily warm-up tosses with teammate Ramiro Mendoza, Rivera noticed that his fastballs were moving sharply and unpredictably, spruce up problem that began to occur develop games as well.[219][67] After unsuccessfully disbursal a month trying to eliminate high-mindedness movement, Rivera relented and incorporated integrity cutter into his pitching repertoire,[67] production it one of his primary pitches in 1998.[72] When asked about illustriousness pitch's origin, he explained: "It was just from God. I didn't power anything. It was natural."[220] As settle down came to rely on the pinnace, Rivera began to record more what\'s what on batted balls.[219] This change resulted in his strikeouts per 9 spell rate decreasing from 10.87 in 1996 to 5.3 in 1998,[68]