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Mariano Rivera

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Mariano Rivera
New York Yankees – No. 42
Closer (baseball)|Reliever/Closer
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
May 23, 1995, for the New York Yankees
Career statistics
(through July 5, 2007)
Win-Loss61-43
Saves424
Earned Run Average2.34
Strikeouts815
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Mariano Rivera (born November 29 1969 in Panama City, Panama) is a relief pitcher for Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo",[1] Rivera is frequently referred to as the greatest postseason relief pitcher of all time,[2][3] and is often considered to be the greatest closer in baseball history.[4][5][6][7] He has the 3rd most regular season career saves in Major League history, is the American League's career leader in saves, and has won 4 World Series titles with the Yankees. He is the all-time Major League postseason leader in saves and ERA.

Rivera is well-known for his signature pitch, a sharp-breaking cut fastball. Rivera is the last active MLB player to wear Jackie Robinson's number 42, which was retired throughout baseball in 1997.

Career

Early career and minor leagues

In 1990, 20 year old shortstop Mariano Rivera volunteered to pitch for his Panamá Oeste team. A scout for the New York Yankees, Herb Raybourn, happened to be at the game. Although Rivera was a shortstop with no formal pitching training, Raybourn believed he was throwing 85-87 MPH with a smooth delivery. He signed Rivera to a contract, with a $2,000 signing bonus. Rivera rewarded Raybourn's faith with ERAs of 0.17 (Gulf Coast), 2.75 (Greensboro; in 52 innings he gave up 17 hits and 7 walks while striking out 58), and 2.28 (Ft. Lauderdale), with WHIPs of 0.46, 1.21, and 0.76, respectively, in 1990, 1991, and 1992.[8]

Rivera still felt he needed additional movement on his pitches to be successful. This led him to experiment with his delivery, which ultimately resulted in Tommy John surgery to fix nerve damage in his elbow. The surgery turned out to be a timely one for the Yankees, as Rivera was not selected in the 1992 expansion draft for the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies, perhaps because of his injured status. Rivera successfully rehabilitated his arm in 1993. In 1994, he moved up to AA and subsequently AAA, striking out 89 batters while issuing only 20 walks.[9]

Call-up to major leagues

Rivera's rookie year in the Major Leagues was 1995, initially as a starting pitcher. He found mixed success, posting a 5-3 record and 5.51 ERA that year. As a result, he split time between the Yankees and their Triple A affiliate. 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. 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.[11]

Set-up man

In 1996, Rivera served primarily as a set-up man for the closer John Wetteland. The Yankees had a 70-3 record that season when leading after the 6th inning.[12] Rivera typically would pitch the 7th and 8th innings, before Wetteland pitched in the 9th. Their effectiveness as a tandem effectively shortened their games to 6 innings. Rivera played an important role that year, as the Yankees won their first World Series since 1978. Setting a Yankee record for strikeouts by a reliever in a season (130)[11], he came in third for the Cy Young Award voting, behind twenty-game winners Pat Hentgen and teammate Andy Pettitte, respectively. Rivera remains the only middle reliever to finish that high in the balloting.

Conversion to closer and subsequent success

When Wetteland left the team as a free agent following that season, Rivera became the Yankees' closer. It would not be a seamless transition, as he blew 3 of his first 6 save opportunities[6], but he rebounded to have a strong year, finishing with a 1.88 ERA and 43 saves.[13] The 1997 season would not end well, however, as Rivera, four outs from advancing to the American League Championship Series, blew a save in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians by giving up a game-tying home run to Sandy Alomar, Jr. The Yankees eventually lost that game and the next, and were eliminated from the playoffs. It would turn out to be one of the few times anyone got the best of Rivera in the postseason.

In the following seasons, Rivera became one of the most consistent, dominating, and dependable closers in the Major Leagues. In a position known for its volatility and turnover, Rivera has been a model of 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. [13] His tenure as the Yankees' closer has far exceeded the ordinary lifetime of a Major League closer, as only 2 other pitchers have been tenured as closer for the same team since 2002 [14]. His success in the role was key in each of the 1990s Yankees' four World Series titles (in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000).

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. 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.

Despite this rare failure, Rivera is widely considered the best pitcher in the history of postseason baseball. His lifetime postseason ERA of 0.80 is the Major League record. From 1998 to 2001, Rivera converted 23 consecutive postseason saves[15] and pitched 34 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason[16], both Major League records. Rivera is 8-1 in the postseason with a 0.75 WHIP. His 34 postseason saves are more than twice that of the next person, Dennis Eckersley. He has posted a 0.00 ERA in sixteen separate postseason series. Additionally, he has very often been called upon to record 2-inning saves in the postseason, notching 12 of this variety[17].

2003 season

In 2003, Rivera returned to form after missing significant time in 2002 on the disabled list. He continued to build upon his legacy, as 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.[18]

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. Rivera 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. Rivera was carried on the shoulders of his teammates during the celebration.

2004 season

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. [19]

2004 was another stellar year for Rivera. He won his third Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award, posting a 1.94 ERA and a career best 53 saves. The Yankees won their 7th straight American League East championship. In the ALDS, he appeared in all four games and allowed no earned runs, despite blowing a save.[20]

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.[21] 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 Game Four in the 12th inning with a two-run home run by David Ortiz off Paul Quantrill.

The following night, the Yankees had a 4-2 lead in the 8th inning. Tom Gordon gave up a home run to David Ortiz, a walk to Millar, and a single to Trot Nixon. With runners on 1st and 3rd base and no outs, Rivera entered the game. He allowed only a sacrifice fly to Jason Varitek, but it tied the score. Like the night before, this game would be an extra-inning Red Sox win, with Ortiz hitting the game-winning single in the 14th inning off Esteban Loaiza. The comeback wins in Games 4 and 5 allowed Boston to begin its historic comeback; they would win the series in seven games.

2005 season

Rivera's year started out on a low note, 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). The stretch prompted some people in the baseball world to question whether Rivera was a dominant pitcher anymore.[22][23] 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.[24]

Rivera would have the last laugh, though, as 2005 proved to be the greatest year of his already sparkling career. 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 2nd 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). Rivera finished second in the race for the Cy Young Award to Bartolo Colon, and ninth in the Most Valuable Player voting in the American League. He also notched the save in the 2005 All-Star Game.

2006 season

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

April was a rough patch for Rivera, as he posted a 3.72 ERA, a blown save, and 2 losses for the month, with batters hitting .272 off him.[13] However, Rivera rebounded as spring turned into summer, and 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 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.[25] Mo ended up saving the game for the AL in a comeback victory against National League closer Trevor Hoffman, the only active player to have 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.

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

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.

At the beginning of September, Rivera was sidelined with an elbow strain in his throwing arm. 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. 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. 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, and MLB.com's Closer of the Year Award for the 3rd consecutive season.

2007 season

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.

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.[26] Rivera saved one game that month and his performance prompted writers to question whether something was wrong.[27] Many attributed his struggles early in the year to infrequent use, as the Yankees presented him with few opportunities to enter a game. Rivera recovered from this slump, posting a 1.61 ERA from May through June. Even so, it was only the second year since 1998 Rivera was not elected to the All-Star team.

On July 5, 2007, Rivera tied John Franco for 3rd on the all-time saves list by recording his 424th save in a game against the Minnesota Twins.

As of July 7, 2007, Rivera has a 3.71 ERA with 11 saves in 13 opportunities and a record of 2-3.[28]

The cutter

Rivera's signature pitch is his cut fastball, or cutter, a 95 mile-per-hour fastball that breaks at the last second. He mixes this pitch with both a four-seam and two-seam fastball. The cutter has drawn comparison to a mid-90s slider that breaks down and in to a left-handed batter and down and away to a right-hander.

Rivera's cutter is regarded as one of the most feared pitches in baseball history.[29] Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves once compared Rivera's cutter to a "buzzsaw",[30] due to its tendency of shattering the bats of opposing left-handed hitters. Jim Thome of the Chicago White Sox called the cutter "the single best pitch ever in the game."[31] Buster Olney of ESPN.com referred to Rivera's cut fastball as "the most dominant pitch of a generation."[32] Despite the fact that batters anticipate the cutter, most have not been able to consistently hit it. Although Rivera has relied on one pitch, he has managed to dominate the opposition throughout his career.

Rivera explained to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Bergen Record that he discovered the cutter accidentally while playing catch with Ramiro Mendoza. Two years prior, he told Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, "It was just from God. I didn’t do anything. It was natural."[33]

Many switch-hitters bat right handed when facing Rivera (who is a right randed pitcher) because of his cutter.

Legacy

Many people in the baseball world have called Rivera the greatest closer in Major League history. 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."[34] 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."[19] Rivera has always been accountable for his actions, accepting the fault when pitching poorly. After his blown save in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, he took full blame for the game's outcome and spent extra time answering postgame questions from the media.[35]

Additionally, many have praised Rivera for his modesty, generosity, and kindness, characteristics some consider difficult to find in many superstar athletes.[5] 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.[36]

Most 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. Voters have historically been reluctant to allow relievers into the Hall of Fame, which would make Rivera's expected induction especially impressive.

In Chris Russo's book, The Mad Dog Hall of Fame: The Ultimate Top-Ten Rankings of the Best in Sports, Rivera was named number 10 on a list of the Greatest Baseball Players of All-Time.

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. Rivera has also won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award four times, in 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005. 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. 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 and the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award in 2005 and 2006. 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

Some of Rivera's accomplishments include:

  • Holds MLB record for lowest postseason ERA of all-time (0.80) (as of 2006 season) [37]
  • Holds MLB record for most postseason saves of all-time (34) [38]
  • Holds MLB record for lowest career ERA of closers among top 50 list for career saves (2.29) (as of 2006 season) [39]
  • Holds MLB record for pitching 34 consecutive scoreless innings in postseason[16]
  • Holds MLB record for converting 23 consecutive postseason saves [15]
  • Second-best save conversion percentage of closers with at least 150 saves (89.8%) (1999-2006) [40]
  • One of 2 pitchers to record 40 saves in 6 different seasons [41]
  • 3rd all-time in career saves (424), 2nd all-time among active pitchers (as of July 6, 2007)
  • One of 5 pitchers to record 300 saves with one team, and the second to record 400 with one team [42]
  • One of 8 pitchers to record at least 50 saves in a season [43]
  • One of 2 pitchers to record at least 50 saves in two separate seasons [43]
  • Holds MLB record for 12 two-inning postseason saves, twice as many as the next player on the list.[17]
  • Holds MLB record for most World Series saves (9) [44]
  • Holds MLB record for lowest ERA in Division Series (0.42) [36]
  • Has 3rd most seasons with at least 30 saves (9)[36]
  • Has 2nd most consecutive seasons with at least 25 saves (10)[36]
  • Only reliever to win ALCS MVP (2003) and World Series MVP (1999) awards
  • Holds MLB record for most seasons with 20-plus saves and sub-2.00 ERA (7) [45]
  • 8-time All-Star (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006) [46]
  • 4-time World Series champion (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000)
  • Holds Yankee record for single season strikeouts by a reliever (130)
  • Holds MLB record for most appearances in postseason history (73) [38]
  • Yankees' all-time leader in WHIP (1.04), saves (424), and appearances (752) (as of July 7, 2007)
  • Named the relief pitcher on Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team
  • Finished 3rd in voting for American League Cy Young Award in 1996[47], 1999[48], 2004[49]; finished 2nd in 2005.[50]
  • One of 2 pitchers since 1997 to finish in top 10 in voting for American League Most Valuable Player Award (2004[51], 2005 - 9th place[52])
  • One of 2 pitchers to save 3 All-Star Games (1997, 2005, 2006) [53]
  • Only pitcher to close out 3 World Series

Entrance music

His entrance music is Metallica's "Enter Sandman". After Rivera established himself as a dominant closer, members of the scoreboard operations staff at Yankee Stadium selected the song. Rivera went along with the selection, as he was not concerned about his music and was not familiar with the song.[54]

The song is also used by the New York Mets' closer Billy Wagner and caused a minor stir among New York baseball fans over who deserved the song when the Yankees and Mets faced each other in 2006. Still, Wagner had used the same song since he first became a closer with the Houston Astros in the mid-1990s.

Personal life

Rivera married his wife Clara on November 9, 1991. They have three sons: Mariano Jr., Jafet, and Jaziel.[36]

Mariano is the cousin of former Yankee Rubén Rivera.

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." [55] 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".[56]

See also

References

  1. ^ In addition to "Mo", Rivera has also been nicknamed "Sandman", and "The Hammer of God".
  2. ^ "Yankees closer will return for game". Associated Press. 2004-10-12. Retrieved 2006-08-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Curry, Jack. "Familiarity helps Sox hit Rivera". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  4. ^ Tom Pedulla (2005-10-03). "Yankees' Rivera saves best for last". USA Today.
  5. ^ a b Tom Verducci (2004-06-01). "Gotta get to Mo". Sports Illustrated.
  6. ^ a b O'Dwyer, Kieran (2006-07-27). "A cutter above". The Sporting News. Retrieved 2006-08-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Kornheiser, Tony (2004-02-16). "Time to Put Away the Sox". Washington Post. p. D01. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  8. ^ "Mariano Rivera Career Stats". CBS Sportsline.
  9. ^ "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)
  10. ^ Smith, Chris (1999-10-25). "October 24, 1999: the Yankees vs. the Braves, World Series Game Two". New York. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b "Mariano Rivera Biography". Baseball Library.
  12. ^ ["In '96, everyone was Mr. October" by Tom Verducci, CNN Sports Illustrated, September 25, 1998
  13. ^ a b c "Mariano Rivera Stats". ESPN.com.
  14. ^ Current Major League Baseball closers
  15. ^ 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)
  16. ^ a b http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B10170NYA2000.htm
  17. ^ a b Schechter, Gabriel. "A Closer Look: The Evolution of the Closer". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  18. ^ Chris DeRosa. ""C" is For Closers: Enter Sandman". ESPN.com.
  19. ^ a b "Yankees' Rivera inks extension". CBC. 2004-03-23.
  20. ^ "2004 AL Division Series-Yankees vs. Twins". Baseball-Reference.
  21. ^ Antonen, Mel (2006-10-09). "Yanks' Rivera continues to learn". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-08-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ 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)
  23. ^ 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)
  24. ^ 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)
  25. ^ Feinsand, Mark (2006-07-10). "Guillen tabs Rivera as AL stopper". MLB.com. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  26. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?statsId=5400
  27. ^ Howard, Johnette (2007-05-09). "Mo's expressions worrisome". Newsday. Retrieved 2007-05-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=121250&statType=2
  29. ^ Stark, Jayson. "The pitches that scare major leaguers". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  30. ^ "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)
  31. ^ 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)
  32. ^ Buster Olney (2006-09-29). "20 best postseason weapons". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-09-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) (preview only)
  33. ^ 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)
  34. ^ Buster Olney (2004-06-28). "Inside the mind of baseball's greatest closer, Mariano Rivera". New York Magazine.
  35. ^ Kay, Michael. June 12, 2007 broadcast of New York Yankees vs Arizona Diamondbacks. WWOR-TV (My9)
  36. ^ a b c d e "Mariano Rivera Biography and Career Highlights". MLB.com accessdate = 2007-06-13. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |work= (help)
  37. ^ 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)
  38. ^ a b "Career Pitching Postseason Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  39. ^ "Major League Baseball Pitching Stats, Career All Time". MLB.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  40. ^ "Mariano Rivera: Sure Thing". Baseball-fever.com. 2003-10-17. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "Career Leaders for Saves". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  42. ^ "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)
  43. ^ a b "Single-Season Leaders for Saves". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  44. ^ "Mariano Rivera Individual Player Postseason Stats". MLB.com accessdate = 2006-08-10. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |work= (help)
  45. ^ Stark, Jayson (2006-01-10). "Sutter's time is now". ESPN. Retrieved 2006-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ "Mariano Rivera stats". TSN. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  47. ^ "1996 American League Cy Young Award". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  48. ^ "1999 American League Cy Young Award". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  49. ^ "2004 American League Cy Young Award". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  50. ^ "2005 American League Cy Young Award". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  51. ^ "2004 American League Most Valuable Player". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  52. ^ "2005 American League Most Valuable Player". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  53. ^ "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)
  54. ^ Enter Sandman Songfacts. Songfacts. Retrieved May 2 2007.
  55. ^ 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)
  56. ^ "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
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