40 Facts About Mariano Rivera

Birth and Early Life

Mariano Rivera's journey from a small fishing village in Panama to becoming a baseball legend is nothing short of inspiring. Let's dive into his early years and how he got started.

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   Birth and Early Life: Mariano Rivera was born on November 29, 1969, in Panama City, Panama. He grew up in the small fishing village of Puerto Caimito, where he developed a passion for baseball and soccer in his spare time.

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   High School and Early Career: Rivera finished high school at 16 and began working on his father’s fishing boat. He played baseball and soccer using makeshift equipment on the beach. At age 20, he was signed by a Yankees scout and left for the United States to play in the club’s minor-league system.

Major League Debut and Career Highlights

Rivera's transition to Major League Baseball marked the beginning of an illustrious career. Here are some key moments and milestones.

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   Major League Debut: Rivera made his Major League Baseball debut in 1995, splitting his time as a middling starting pitcher and a reliever before being moved into the bullpen full-time the following season.

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   Career Statistics: Over his 19-season career, Rivera posted a record 652 saves, with a win-loss mark of 82-60. His career ERA of 2.21 ranks No. 1 among all pitchers who started their careers after 1969.

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   Postseason Dominance: In the postseason, Rivera was virtually perfect. He saved 42 games in 96 appearances, allowing only one other home run in 141 innings. He recorded just five blown saves and one loss – in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series – while posting an ERA of 0.70.

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   World Series Titles: The Yankees won five World Series titles during Rivera’s career (1996, 1998–2000, and 2009). He was named the World Series MVP in 1999 and the ALCS MVP in 2003.

Career Milestones and Achievements

Rivera's career is filled with numerous milestones and achievements that set him apart from other pitchers.

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   Career Milestones: Rivera achieved several career milestones, including becoming the first Yankee and 17th big leaguer to record 300 saves on May 28, 2004. He also set the record for most career saves with his 602nd save on September 19, 2011, and extended it to 652 saves over the next two seasons.

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   Cutter Fastball: In June 1997, Rivera’s fastball suddenly began to drop—or cut—as it neared the plate. This change in his delivery made his cutter nearly unhittable, propelling him to stardom. He led the American League in saves three times (1999, 2001, and 2004) and was named an All-Star on 13 occasions.

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   Adjusted ERA+: When Rivera retired in 2013, he had a lifetime adjusted ERA (ERA+) of 205, far and away the highest ERA+ ever. This statistic adjusts for opponents and ballparks, with the average major-league pitcher set at 100.

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    Comeback Player of the Year: Rivera won one Comeback Player of the Year award during his career. This recognition came after he overcame injuries and continued to perform at an elite level.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Rivera received numerous awards and honors, solidifying his status as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

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    League Championship MVP: He was named the League Championship Series MVP in 2003, showcasing his dominance in the postseason.

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    World Series MVP: Rivera was named the World Series MVP in 1999. In the series, he threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings over three appearances, helping the Yankees complete a four-game sweep of the Braves.

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    Postseason Appearances: Rivera played in 96 postseason games, securing a record 42 saves and pitching 141 innings while allowing just 11 earned runs.

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    Career Plate Appearances: In one of his seven career plate appearances, Rivera earned his first and only career RBI with a bases-loaded walk off Francisco Rodriguez on June 28, 2009.

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    Historic Moments: Rivera was part of several historic moments in baseball history. One notable instance was when he sealed a 6-4 victory over the White Sox for his 400th career save on July 16, 2006.

Final Game and Hall of Fame Induction

Rivera's final game and subsequent induction into the Hall of Fame marked the end of an era and the beginning of his legacy.

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    Final Game: In his final game on September 26, 2013, Rivera pitched a scoreless inning in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked off the mound for the last time.

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    Induction into Hall of Fame: Rivera was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, becoming the first player to be unanimously elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).

Legacy and Impact

Mariano Rivera's legacy extends beyond his on-field accomplishments. His humility, dedication, and community involvement have left a lasting impact.

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    Legacy: Rivera’s legacy extends beyond his on-field accomplishments. He is remembered for his humility and dedication to his team. When he announced his retirement, he said, “I would love to be remembered as a player who was always there for others.”

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    International Recognition: Rivera’s impact on baseball is not limited to the United States. He is celebrated in Panama as a national hero, and his achievements have inspired countless young athletes around the world.

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    Community Involvement: Off the field, Rivera has been involved in various charitable activities, including working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which supports youth baseball programs in Panama.

Career Statistics and Records

Rivera's career statistics and records are a testament to his exceptional talent and consistency.

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    Awards and Honors: Throughout his career, Rivera received numerous awards and honors. He was named an All-Star 13 times and won several postseason awards for his outstanding performance.

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    Career Strikeouts: Rivera accumulated 1,457 strikeouts during his career, ranking him fourth all-time among pitchers with at least 1,000 strikeouts.

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    Career Home Runs Allowed: Despite his dominance, Rivera allowed 237 home runs in his career, ranking him third among pitchers with at least 1,000 innings pitched.

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    Career Earned Run Average (ERA): Rivera’s career ERA of 2.21 is one of the lowest in baseball history, reflecting his exceptional ability to shut down opposing teams.

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    Career Saves Percentage: Rivera saved 652 out of 744 save opportunities, giving him a save percentage of .877, one of the highest in baseball history.

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    Career Games Pitched: Over his 19-season career, Rivera pitched in 1,283 games, making him one of the most active pitchers in baseball history.

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    Career Innings Pitched: Rivera pitched a total of 1,283 innings, which ranks him among the top pitchers in terms of innings pitched.

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    Career Walks Plus Hits Per Innings Pitched (WHIP): Rivera’s career WHIP was 1.00, indicating his ability to limit walks and hits per inning pitched.

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    Career Games Finished: Rivera finished 1,173 games, which is a testament to his reliability as a closer.

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    Career Shutouts: Despite being a reliever, Rivera achieved one shutout in his career, showcasing his ability to pitch complete games when needed.

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    Career Complete Games: Rivera completed 11 games in his career, demonstrating his versatility as both a starter and reliever.

Postseason Performance

Rivera's postseason performance is legendary, with records that highlight his dominance in high-pressure situations.

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    Career Shutout Innings Pitched: Rivera pitched a total of 141 shutout innings in the postseason, contributing significantly to the Yankees' success during their championship runs.

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    Career Postseason ERA: Rivera’s postseason ERA of 0.70 is one of the lowest in baseball history, highlighting his exceptional performance in high-pressure situations.

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    Career Postseason Games Pitched: Rivera pitched in 96 postseason games, securing a record 42 saves and allowing just 11 earned runs.

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    Career Postseason Innings Pitched: Over his career, Rivera pitched 141 innings in the postseason, making him one of the most dominant postseason pitchers in history.

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    Career Postseason Strikeouts: Rivera accumulated 88 strikeouts in the postseason, further solidifying his reputation as a dominant closer.

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    Career Postseason Walks Plus Hits Per Innings Pitched (WHIP): Rivera’s postseason WHIP was 0.77, indicating his ability to limit walks and hits per inning pitched in high-pressure situations.

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    Career Postseason Saves Percentage: Rivera saved 42 out of 44 save opportunities in the postseason, giving him a save percentage of .955, one of the highest in baseball history.

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    Career Postseason Games Finished: Rivera finished 96 postseason games, making him one of the most reliable closers in baseball history.

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    Legacy and Impact: Mariano Rivera’s impact on baseball extends beyond his on-field accomplishments. He is remembered for his humility, dedication to his team, and his role in shaping the modern closer position. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of baseball players and fans alike.

Mariano Rivera's Lasting Legacy

Mariano Rivera's career is a testament to hard work, talent, and humility. Born in Panama City, he rose from humble beginnings to become the greatest relief pitcher in MLB history. With 652 career saves, a 2.21 ERA, and five World Series titles, his stats speak volumes. Rivera's cutter fastball baffled hitters, making him nearly untouchable. His postseason performance, with a 0.70 ERA, is legendary. Beyond the numbers, Rivera's character shone brightly. He was a team player, always there for others, and a role model for young athletes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame unanimously in 2019, his impact on baseball is undeniable. Off the field, his charitable work through the Mariano Rivera Foundation shows his commitment to giving back. Rivera's legacy will inspire future generations, reminding us all of what dedication and humility can achieve.