About Mariano Rivera
Every batter knew what was coming when they faced Mariano Rivera, so it was hardly necessary for the New York Yankees' catchers to conceal their signs. They knew it was coming, perhaps the best cut fastball ever delivered by a big leaguer. And they still could not hit it.
Raised in the Panamanian fishing village of Puerto Caimito, Rivera began his baseball journey playing with cardboard gloves and tree-branch bats. A live arm and an athletic body brought him to the attention of the New York Yankees, with whom he signed as an international free agent on Feb. 17, 1990.
Rivera became the first unanimous inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. In 2019, he was awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Unanimous First Ballot Hall Of Famer
MLB All-Time Saves Leader 652
5x World Series Champion
1999 World Series MVP
13x MLB All-Star
Hall of Fame Speech
First unanimous National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee
Rivera relied almost exclusively on the cutter, using movement and location to make the pitch appear to be a strike before darting out of the hitting zone. In the postseason, Rivera built his legend, saving 42 games in 96 postseason appearances.
When he announced his retirement, Rivera said, "I would love to be remembered as a player who was always there for others." The Save 653 mission carries that same commitment into mentorship, education, and opportunity for young people.
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