Never let it be said that BBRT “missed the bandwagon.” It’s time to share my Mariano Rivera “Mo-Ment.” No, I wasn’t in the stands for any of the 2013 regular season’s heartfelt farewells – but I was at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for a Rivera “first-Last”: Rivera’s first appearance of his last Spring Training. (Photos above.)
What can you say about Rivera that hasn’t already been said – the best closer ever and a class act on and off the field. How good was Mo? The numbers (as of September 27) speak for themselves.
- 652 regular-season saves, best ever.
- 42 post-season saves, best ever. (He also had 8 post-season wins – and only one loss – with a 0.70 post season ERA (lowest ever).
- Thirteen-time All Star, five-time Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, three-time Delivery Man of the Year.
- Three-time AL leader in saves – topped 50 saves twice, topped 40 saves nine times.
- A lifetime ERA of 2.21 (19 seasons, 1,116 games, 1,283 2/3 innings pitched) – ERA below 3.00 every season except 1995 (rookie season, included his only 10 starts, 5.51) and 2007 (3.15). Eleven seasons with an ERA below 2.00 – lowest was 1.38 in 2005 (71 appearances).
Looking back on a career of consistent achievement, Rivera (in BBRT’s estimation) saved the best for last. On May 3, 2012, after nine appearances, Rivera tore his ACL in a freak accident (while shagging fly balls in the outfield before the game). Many thought the injury would mark the end of the 42-year-old hurler’s career. Rivera vowed he would be back and has delivered on his word. Through September 7 – at age 43 – Rivera is 6-2, with a 2.11 ERA and 44 saves (third in the AL.) That is a comeback for the ages – from a closer for the ages. Mo will be missed. BBRT is looking forward to the Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
Souvenirs from Mariano Rivera’s FIRST appearance of his LAST (2013) Spring Training.
Photos by D. Karpinski
