Mariano Rivera: Simply The Best

By: Cole Gargione (MLB Executive)

 

      As Mariano Rivera notched his 500^th save earlier this week it seems like a good time to discuss this truly amazing career and where Mariano ranks among the all-time greats.  As Rivera saved his 500^th game of his career on June 28^th against the cross-town rival Mets, a game in which he recorded his first career RBI via a walk against Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, he put himself in a league that now consists of two pitchers.  Rivera is only the second pitcher to reach this major milestone of 500 saves, first being longtime Padres and current Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman.  Rivera’s path to this astronomical number of 500 saves did not come easy.  The Panama native broke into the majors at age 25 with the Yankees as a starter working to fill an injury to the Yankee’s rotation at that time.  In 1996, however Rivera was moved to the bullpen with the intention of having him be a setup man to Yankees closer John Wetteland.  As the Yankees made a playoff push and became legitimate contenders, Rivera was the usual 7^th and 8^th inning man, fulfilling his role as the bridge from the starters to Wetteland.  The Yankees went on to beat the Atlanta Braves in the ’96 World Series, and from that point on it was known around baseball that Mariano Rivera was here to stay.  In that 1996 season, Rivera’s first full season as a major leaguer, he set a Yankees franchise record for strikeouts as a reliever with 130.  The Yankees were more than impressed with Rivera, so they decided not to resign Wetteland, the 1996 World Series Most Valuable Player, and in doing so made Mariano the closer beginning in the 1997 season.  From his first season as a closer through present day it is safe to say that “The Sandman” has been the single most dominating relieving presence in all of baseball.  Of course the 500 saves speak for themselves, but it’s the postseason dominance which truly sets him apart from literally every other closer to ever play the sport.  Rivera has an utterly astounding postseason record of 8-1 with an unhittable ERA of 0.77.  When you put together a 14+ year body of work consisting of at least 502 saves, a career ERA of 2.30, with a 8-1 postseason record and 0.77 ERA you get a rather nice resume.  On top of that the man is a nine time All-Star with four World Series Champion, one of which he owns the MVP trophy, and a three time saves champion, you truly are left with the best closer of all-time.  Oh and one more thing: his career isn’t even over yet.