Mariano Rivera facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mariano Rivera
Rivera 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
debut
May 23, 1995, for the New York Yankees
Last appearance
September 26, 2013, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	82–60
Earned run average	2.21
Strikeouts	1,173
Saves	652
WHIP	1.00
Teams
New York Yankees (1995–2013)
Career highlights and awards
13× All-Star (1997, 1999–2002, 2004–2006, 2008–2011, 2013) 5× World Series champion (1996, 1998–2000, 2009) World Series MVP (1999) ALCS MVP (2003) 5× AL Rolaids Relief Man Award (1999, 2001, 2004–2005, 2009) 3× Delivery Man of the Year (2005–2006, 2009) AL Comeback Player of the Year (2013) 3× MLB saves leader (1999, 2001, 2004) MLB record 652 career saves New York Yankees No. 42 retired Monument Park honoree
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2019
Vote	100% (first ballot)

Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a former professional baseball pitcher from Panama. He played for the New York Yankees for 19 seasons, from 1995 to 2013. People called him "Mo" and "Sandman". He was mostly a relief pitcher and was the Yankees' main closer for 17 seasons.

Mariano Rivera was an amazing player. He was chosen for the All-Star team 13 times. He also helped the Yankees win the World Series five times. He holds the record for the most "saves" in Major League Baseball (MLB) history with 652. A save is when a pitcher finishes a game and helps their team win. He also holds the record for the most games finished (952).

In 2019, Mariano Rivera was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the first player ever to be chosen by every single voter! This shows how much he was respected. His special pitch was called a "cut fastball" or "cutter." It was very hard for batters to hit. When he came into games, the song "Enter Sandman" would play, which became famous. Rivera was a key player in the Yankees' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was also known for being calm and focused.

After he retired, the Yankees honored him by retiring his uniform number 42. He was the last player in MLB to wear this number full-time. It was retired across the league in honor of Jackie Robinson. In 2014, MLB even named an award for best relief pitchers after him. Mariano Rivera is also a very religious person and helps many people through his charity, the Mariano Rivera Foundation. In 2019, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is a very high award in the United States.

Early Life and Baseball Start

Rivera grew up in the fishing village of Puerto Caimito in Panama.

Mariano Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama, on November 29, 1969. His parents were Mariano Rivera Palacios and Delia Jiron. He grew up in Puerto Caimito, a small fishing village. His father was a fishing boat captain.

As a kid, Mariano loved playing soccer and baseball with his friends. They played on the beach when the water was low. For baseball, they used milk cartons as gloves and tree branches as bats. They even made balls by taping up fishing nets! When he was 12, his dad bought him his first real glove. Mariano said he stayed out of trouble, but sometimes hung out with the "wrong people."

From Fishing to Pitching

Mariano went to elementary and secondary school but left in ninth grade. At 16, he started working on his father's fishing boat, catching sardines. He worked six days a week, all year. Mariano found this job "extremely hard" and really wanted to be a mechanic. He saved money hoping to open a car repair shop.

When he was 18, Mariano joined a local amateur baseball team called the Panamá Oeste Vaqueros. He played many different positions. A baseball scout named Herb Raybourn saw him play in 1988. Raybourn didn't think Mariano would make it to the major leagues then.

A year later, in a playoff game, Mariano was asked to pitch because his team's pitcher was doing poorly. Even though he had never pitched before, he did very well! His teammates told Chico Heron, a scout for the New York Yankees, about him. Two weeks later, Mariano was invited to a Yankees tryout in Panama City.

Raybourn came back to Panama and saw Mariano pitch. He was surprised because Mariano had switched positions. Mariano had no special pitching training. He weighed only 155 pounds and threw about 85-87 miles per hour. But Raybourn was impressed by how athletic he was and how smoothly he threw the ball. Raybourn signed Mariano to a contract with the Yankees on February 17, 1990. He got a signing bonus of $2,500.

Professional Baseball Career

Minor League Journey (1990–1995)

After signing, Mariano flew to the United States. He didn't speak English and had never left home. He joined the Gulf Coast League Yankees, a minor league team. He felt lonely and missed his family. He wrote letters home often, as his parents didn't have phones.

At first, scouts didn't think Mariano would be a big star. But he had a great season in 1990. He mostly pitched in relief. He allowed only one earned run in 52 innings, which is an amazing 0.17 earned run average (ERA). In the last game of the season, he started and pitched a seven-inning no-hitter. This made the Yankees organization notice him.

In 1991, Mariano moved up to the Class A Greensboro Hornets. He started 15 games. Even though his win-loss record was 4-9, he had a 2.75 ERA. He also struck out 123 batters and walked only 36. The Yankees manager, Buck Showalter, was impressed by his ability to strike out batters without walking many. He said, "This guy is going to make it."

In 1992, Mariano was promoted again to the Fort Lauderdale Yankees. But he missed a lot of the season because of elbow stiffness. He had surgery on his right elbow in August 1992. Many people thought he might be out for a long time. But it wasn't the more serious "Tommy John" surgery. His doctor just repaired the ligament.

The Yankees almost lost Mariano in a special draft in 1992. Two new teams, the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies, were picking players. The Marlins were planning to pick Mariano. But another team picked a Yankee player right before, which protected Mariano from being chosen.

Mariano worked hard to recover from his injury. He played catch with famous Yankees pitchers Whitey Ford and Ron Guidry. In 1993, he pitched a short season. His ERA was 2.08. Some people still weren't sure if he would succeed.

In 1994, Mariano moved up through different minor league levels. He ended the season with a 10-2 record and a 3.09 ERA. At this time, he mostly threw fastballs. By the start of 1995, he was ranked the ninth-best prospect in the Yankees organization.

Major League Debut (1995–2013)

Early Years and Breakthrough (1995–1997)

Rivera (second from right) with his fellow Core Four teammates in 2015. All four made their major-league debuts for the Yankees in 1995.

Mariano Rivera made his MLB debut for the New York Yankees on May 23, 1995. He started the game but struggled, giving up five runs. He was sent back to the minor leagues in June. At this point, the Yankees thought about trading him.

While in the minor leagues, Mariano pitched a five-inning no-hitter. Reports said his pitches were suddenly much faster, about 95-96 mph! Mariano believes this amazing improvement came from God. The Yankees decided not to trade him. When he came back to the major leagues, he pitched eight scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. He finished his first season with a 5-3 record and a 5.51 ERA. His strong performance in the playoffs that year convinced the Yankees to make him a relief pitcher.

In 1996, Mariano became a "setup pitcher". He would pitch in the seventh and eighth innings before the main closer, John Wetteland, finished the game. They were a great team. Mariano pitched 26 scoreless innings in a row. He also got his first career save. He finished the season with a 2.09 ERA and set a Yankees record with 130 strikeouts for a reliever. In the playoffs, he allowed only one earned run. He helped the Yankees win the 1996 World Series, their first championship since 1978! Many people thought he should have been an All-Star and even an MVP candidate.

In 1997, the Yankees made Mariano their new closer. This was a big change for him, and he struggled at first. But he got used to the role and was chosen for his first All-Star team. That summer, he accidentally discovered his famous "cut fastball" pitch. He finished the season with 43 saves and a 1.88 ERA. However, his first year as closer ended with a tough moment. In the playoffs, he gave up a game-tying home run, and the Yankees lost the series.

Yankees Dynasty and "Enter Sandman" (1998–2001)

Mariano became one of the best closers in baseball in 1998. His "cutter" pitch became famous for breaking batters' bats. He saved 36 games and had a 1.91 ERA. In the 1998 playoffs, he pitched 13.1 scoreless innings and saved six games. He helped the Yankees win the 1998 World Series, finishing a season where they won a record 125 games! By the end of 1998, he had an amazing 0.51 ERA in his playoff career.

The cleats worn by Rivera in the 1999 World Series, on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

In 1999, Mariano was an All-Star again. That summer, the Yankees started playing "Enter Sandman" by Metallica when he came into the game. This song became a huge part of his identity. He finished the season with a 1.83 ERA and led MLB with 45 saves. He won his first AL Rolaids Relief Man Award. In the 1999 World Series, he helped the Yankees win another championship and was named the World Series MVP. He ended 1999 with 43 consecutive scoreless innings!

Rivera (front, second from right) and teammates from the 2000 World Series champion Yankees team pose with US President George W. Bush during a White House visit

In 2000, Mariano was an All-Star again. He saved 36 games with a 2.85 ERA. In the playoffs, he broke the record for most career playoff saves. He also broke the record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched in the playoffs. He helped the Yankees win the 2000 World Series, their third championship in a row and his fourth overall! People called him the "infallible weapon" because he was so good in the playoffs.

Before the 2001 season, the Yankees signed Mariano to a four-year, $39.99 million contract. He was an All-Star for the third year in a row. He led MLB with 50 saves, a new career high for him and a Yankees record. He won his second AL Rolaids Relief Man Award. However, in the final game of the 2001 World Series, Mariano had a rare tough moment. He blew the save and the Yankees lost the series. It was his first and only loss in his playoff career.

Overcoming Injuries (2002–2005)

On May 9, 2002, Mariano got his 225th career save. This made him the Yankees' all-time leader in saves. But he dealt with injuries that year, including shoulder stiffness. He still made the All-Star team with a 1.47 ERA. He finished the season with 28 saves in 46 innings.

To stay healthy, Mariano worked on a special training program in the offseason before 2003. But he still missed the first month of the season with an injury. When he returned, he pitched well. On June 13, his save helped pitcher Roger Clemens get his 300th career win. Mariano finished 2003 with a career-best 1.66 ERA and 40 saves.

In the 2003 American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, Mariano had one of his most famous playoff performances. In the deciding Game 7, he pitched three scoreless innings, his longest outing since 1996. The Yankees won the game with a walk-off home run. Mariano was named the AL Championship Series MVP. The Yankees lost the World Series that year, but Mariano still saved five games in the playoffs.

In 2004, Mariano signed a two-year contract extension. On May 28, he reached 300 career saves. He was chosen for his sixth All-Star team with an amazing 0.99 ERA. He finished the season with a career-high 53 saves, leading MLB for the third time. He won his third AL Rolaids Relief Man Award.

However, the 2004 playoffs were tough. After his relatives died in an accident, Mariano went home to Panama. He returned for Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against the Red Sox and saved the game. The Yankees led the series 3-0. But Mariano blew saves in Games 4 and 5, and the Red Sox made a historic comeback, winning the series. Even though he only allowed one earned run in the playoffs, he blew three saves.

Rivera pitching in September 2005

Mariano had a slow start in 2005. He blew his first two save chances against the Red Sox. Fans at Yankee Stadium even booed him. But he quickly bounced back. He pitched 23 scoreless innings in a row and converted 31 consecutive save opportunities. He was selected for the All-Star team again. He passed several famous pitchers on the all-time saves list. He finished 2005 with 43 saves and new career bests in ERA (1.38) and walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) (0.87). He won his fourth AL Rolaids Relief Man Award and the first Delivery Man of the Year Award.

Continued Dominance (2006–2008)

Rivera pitching on May 23, 2006

Mariano had a tough April in 2006, but his performance improved. On June 6, he got his 391st save, moving him to fourth all-time. He was an All-Star for the third year in a row. On July 16, he reached 400 saves, becoming only the fourth pitcher to do so. He finished 2006 with 34 saves and a 1.80 ERA. He won the Delivery Man of the Year Award for the second time.

Rivera warming up in June 2007

In 2007, Mariano's contract was ending. He struggled in April, blowing his first two save chances. But he improved and saved 30 of his next 32 opportunities. On July 14, he passed John Franco for third place on the all-time saves list. He finished 2007 with 30 saves and a 3.15 ERA. After the season, he signed a new three-year, $45 million contract with the Yankees, making him the highest-paid reliever ever.

Rivera pitching in August 2008

Mariano had one of his best seasons in 2008. He started the year with 16 scoreless innings and 28 straight saves. He was chosen for his ninth All-Star team. On September 15, he got his 479th save, passing Lee Smith for second all-time. On September 21, he threw the very last pitch at the old Yankee Stadium. After the Yankees missed the playoffs, Mariano revealed he had shoulder pain. He had minor surgery in the offseason.

His 2008 season was amazing. He had a 1.40 ERA and 39 saves in 40 chances. He set career bests in many areas, including WHIP (0.67) and batting average against (.165). He walked only 6 batters all season!

More Championships and Records (2009–2012)

Rivera during the 2009 World Series victory parade, celebrating his fifth championship

In 2009, Mariano had a strong season. On June 28, he became only the second pitcher to reach 500 regular season saves. He was named an All-Star for the tenth time. His save in the All-Star Game was his fourth, setting a new record. He finished the season with a 1.76 ERA and 44 saves. In the playoffs, he pitched 16 innings, allowing only one run and saving five games. He helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series—his fifth championship! He won several awards that year, including his third Delivery Man of the Year Award.

In 2010, Mariano and two teammates, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, became the first trio in any major sport to play together for 16 seasons. Mariano had a great first half of the season with a 1.05 ERA. He was chosen for his 11th All-Star team but didn't play due to injuries. He finished 2010 with a 1.80 ERA and 33 saves. In the playoffs, he pitched 6.1 scoreless innings. After the season, he signed a two-year, $30 million contract to stay with the Yankees.

Rivera pitching against the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 2011

In 2011, Mariano chased the all-time saves record. He broke the record for most games finished. In May, he became the first pitcher to make 1,000 appearances with one team. He was named an All-Star for the 12th time. On September 13, he got his 600th save. Four days later, he tied Trevor Hoffman for the most saves in MLB history with 601. He broke the record on September 19 at Yankee Stadium! The President of Panama even called him to congratulate him. Mariano finished the season with a 1.91 ERA and 44 saves.

In 2012, Mariano tore a ligament in his knee while practicing. Many thought his career was over. But he quickly said he would return, saying, "Write it down in big letters. I'm not going down like this." He had surgery and signed a new contract for 2013.

Farewell Season (2013)

Rivera acknowledges an ovation from fans and players at the 2013 All-Star Game in his final All-Star appearance. His former manager Joe Torre is visible in the crowd (second from right).

On March 9, 2013, 43-year-old Mariano announced he would retire after the season. During his final year, he met with fans and team employees in every city to thank them. Opposing teams honored him with gifts. The Cleveland Indians gave him a gold record of "Enter Sandman." The Minnesota Twins gave him a rocking chair made of broken bats from his cutter! Many teams donated to his charity, the Mariano Rivera Foundation.

Mariano had a great start to his final season, converting his first 18 save attempts. He was named an All-Star for the 13th time. At the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, players from both teams and fans gave him a long standing ovation as he walked onto the field. He pitched a perfect inning and was named the All-Star Game MVP. He was the first reliever to win this award.

Rivera hugs teammates before leaving his final MLB game on September 26, 2013

On September 22, 2013, the Yankees held a special "Mariano Rivera Day" at Yankee Stadium. His uniform number 42 was retired by the team. Metallica even played "Enter Sandman" live! Four days later, he pitched in his final game at Yankee Stadium. In the ninth inning, his long-time teammates Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter came out to the mound to take him out of the game. Mariano tearfully hugged them. He walked off the field to a huge standing ovation. He finished his final season with a 2.11 ERA and 44 saves. He won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award. He also received the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award for his amazing career.

Player Profile

Pitching Style

A bat broken by Rivera's cutter during his record-tying 601st career save, on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Mariano Rivera's most famous pitch was his "cut fastball" or "cutter." This pitch moved sharply sideways, almost like a slider, but it was as fast as a fastball. The way his cutter moved made it very hard for batters to hit the ball in the middle of their bats. This often caused their bats to break! One writer counted that Mariano broke 44 bats in the 2001 season alone.

Rivera throws a cut fastball in 2007

Mariano discovered his cutter by accident in 1997. His fastballs started moving strangely during warm-ups. He tried to stop it for a month but couldn't. So, he decided to use it as his main pitch. He said, "It was just from God. I didn't do anything. It was natural."

Mariano was also known for his amazing control. He could throw the ball exactly where he wanted it. This helped him succeed even though everyone knew he would throw his cutter. His former catcher, Joe Girardi, said Mariano was "so easy to catch because he always put the ball right there."

Some batters would even use their backup bats against Mariano because they knew his cutter might break their good ones! Mariano was also a great athlete. He was very lean and durable.

Personality and Leadership

Mariano was very calm and quiet on the field. He didn't show a lot of emotion, unlike many other players. People said he had "ice water in his veins" because he stayed so calm under pressure. He believed that if you think too much or let your emotions control you, it's not good.

He was also a leader for the Yankees. He often helped younger pitchers and gave advice to his teammates. He always put the team first. When asked about his job, he simply said, "I get the ball, I throw the ball, and then I take a shower." His teammate Derek Jeter called him the "most mentally tough" player he ever played with.

Legacy and Impact

Mariano Rivera was one of the most dominant relief pitchers ever. He was incredibly consistent and played for a long time, which is rare for closers. In his 17 years as the Yankees' closer, he achieved amazing numbers.

He is MLB's all-time leader in saves (652) and games finished (952). He pitched in 1,115 regular season games, which is the most in American League history for a right-handed pitcher. He holds records for having many seasons with at least 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and even 50 saves.

Mariano's career ERA (2.21) and WHIP (1.00) are the lowest of any pitcher in the "live-ball era" (since 1920) who pitched at least 1,000 innings. This means he was one of the best at stopping batters from getting on base and scoring. He had an ERA under 2.00 in 11 seasons!

Postseason Heroics

Mariano was even better in the playoffs. He had an 8-1 win-loss record and a 0.76 WHIP. He holds many playoff records, including:

• Lowest career ERA (0.70)
• Most saves (42)
• Most consecutive scoreless innings pitched (33.1)
• Most consecutive save opportunities converted (23)
• Most games pitched (96)

He saved more than twice as many playoff games as any other pitcher! It's often said that more people have walked on the moon (12) than have scored an earned run against Mariano in the playoffs (11). His manager, Joe Torre, said Mariano's playoff performance is what truly set him apart.

Rivera (right) shakes hands with Jorge Posada after finishing a game in 2009.

Baseball experts and other players agree that Mariano is one of the greatest relievers ever. Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley called him "the best ever, no doubt." MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, "Clearly unequivocally, he's the greatest relief pitcher of all time."

Mariano was also highly respected for his professionalism. Other players admired how he handled himself on and off the field. He was the last MLB player to regularly wear uniform number 42. This number was retired across the league to honor Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel, said she was proud Mariano wore the number because he carried himself with "dignity and grace."

A ball onto which Roy Halladay traced Rivera's cutter grip as a reference, as seen in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Mariano's cutter pitch was also highly respected. Player Jim Thome called it "the single best pitch ever in the game." Many pitchers learned to throw the cutter after seeing how successful Mariano was with it. Even opposing pitcher Roy Halladay asked Mariano for help with his own cutter!

Personal Life

Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara have known each other since elementary school. They got married on November 9, 1991. They have three sons: Mariano III, Jafet, and Jaziel. The family lived in Panama until 2000, when they moved to New York.

Mariano III, his oldest son, also became a baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Yankees in 2014 and later by the Washington Nationals in 2015.

Mariano learned English during his professional career. He believes it's important for Latino players to learn English. He became a US citizen in October 2015.

Faith and Helping Others

Mariano Rivera is a very religious Christian. He became religious around age 21. He believes that God has a reason for everything. For example, he found it easier to accept losing the 2001 World Series when he learned it saved his teammate's life. If the Yankees had won, his teammate would have been on a plane that crashed.

Rivera speaking at the Hispanic Federation Gala in April 2014 while accepting the Premio Orgullo for his humanitarian efforts

Mariano is very involved in helping others through his charity, the Mariano Rivera Foundation. This foundation helps provide education for children who don't have many opportunities. It gives over $500,000 each year in the US and Panama. In Panama, he has helped build a school and provides Christmas gifts to children.

In 2011, he bought a 107-year-old church building in New Rochelle, New York, for $1. His foundation spent $3 million to renovate it. It opened in 2014 as Refugio de Esperanza ("Refuge of Hope"). His wife Clara is the pastor there.

Since retiring from baseball, Mariano has focused on his charity and churches. He and Clara created a scholarship for students. He also holds an annual charity golf tournament and other events to help people in need. In 2012, he was ranked among the most generous celebrities for his donations to charity. He also won the 2013 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for his contributions to the community.

Business and Endorsements

Rivera with a Boeing 757 dedicated to him by Delta Air Lines at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2019

Mariano has invested in businesses like car dealerships. He has also been a spokesperson for companies like Nike and Skechers shoes. He donated all his earnings from these deals to his foundation.

In 2011, he was ranked the second-most marketable player in baseball. He earned about $169.6 million in salary during his baseball career, and he donated ten percent of it to his foundation. After baseball, he became a public speaker.

Political Views

Rivera and US president Donald Trump host Little League Baseball players on the South Lawn of the White House in July 2020

Mariano Rivera supports Israel. In 2013, a group of Rabbis in New York named him their "Man of the Year." He has visited Israel several times.

He was also nominated to co-chair the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. He continued in this role until 2022. He has also supported former US President Donald Trump. He said his friendship with Trump started before Trump became president.

Post-Baseball Honors

Rivera (right) at the presentation of the 2015 AL Reliever of the Year Award to Andrew Miller. The award was named in Rivera's honor the year prior.

In March 2014, Mariano received awards for his charity work, including the ROBIE Humanitarian Award. Two MLB exhibition games were played in his home country of Panama to honor him.

On April 9, 2014, MLB announced a new award for relief pitchers would be named after Mariano Rivera. In May, a street near Yankee Stadium was renamed "Rivera Avenue." He also released his autobiography, The Closer: My Story. New York University gave him an honorary degree. In 2016, the Yankees placed a special plaque for him in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park.

Mariano Rivera was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on January 22, 2019. He was the first player in history to be elected by every single voter! He was officially inducted on July 21, 2019. The ceremony had 55,000 people, the second-largest crowd ever for a Hall of Fame induction. Panama's president and Mariano's former teammates were there. His speech lasted almost 25 minutes, and he spoke in both English and Spanish.

Rivera receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019

After his Hall of Fame induction, Mariano received more honors. A gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City was renamed for him. The City of New Rochelle held a parade in his honor. On September 16, 2019, President Trump gave Mariano the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the United States. The White House said Mariano was honored for being a baseball legend and for helping communities.

Baseball Accomplishments

Awards and Honors

Records

Images for kids

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  Rivera with the New York Yankees in 2007

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  Rivera was raised in the Panamanian fishing village of Puerto Caimito.

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  Rivera (second from right) with his fellow Core Four teammates in 2015. All four made their major-league debuts for the Yankees in 1995.

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  The cleats worn by Rivera in the 1999 World Series, on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

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  Rivera (front, second from right) and teammates from the 2000 World Series champion Yankees team pose with US President George W. Bush during a White House visit

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  Rivera pitching in September 2005

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  Rivera pitching on May 23, 2006

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  Rivera warming up in June 2007

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  Rivera pitching in August 2008

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  Rivera during the 2009 World Series victory parade, celebrating his fifth championship

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  Rivera pitching against the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 2011

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  Rivera acknowledges an ovation from fans and players at the 2013 All-Star Game in his final All-Star appearance. His former manager Joe Torre is visible in the crowd (second from right).

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  Rivera hugs teammates before leaving his final MLB game on September 26, 2013

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  A bat broken by Rivera's cutter during his record-tying 601st career save, on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

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  Rivera throws a cut fastball in 2007

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  Rivera throws a cut fastball in 2007

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  Rivera (right) shakes hands with Jorge Posada after finishing a game in 2009.

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  Rivera with his three sons, wife Clara, and daughter-in-law at the White House in 2019

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  Rivera speaking at the Hispanic Federation Gala in April 2014 while accepting the Premio Orgullo for his humanitarian efforts

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  Rivera with a Boeing 757 dedicated to him by Delta Air Lines at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2019

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  Rivera and US president Donald Trump host Little League Baseball players on the South Lawn of the White House in July 2020

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  Rivera (right) at the presentation of the 2015 AL Reliever of the Year Award to Andrew Miller. The award was named in Rivera's honor the year prior.

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  Rivera receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019

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  A ball onto which Roy Halladay traced Rivera's cutter grip as a reference, as seen in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Mariano Rivera's number 42 was retired by the New York Yankees in 2013.

In Spanish: Mariano Rivera para niños