The Story of Mariano Rivera
A look at the all-star’s baseball career.
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Mariano Rivera, a Baseball Legend - It’s a season of mixed emotions for Yankee fans across the nation. After 19 seasons, one of the best closers in Major League Baseball, Mariano “Mo” “The Sandman” Rivera, is retiring. In honor of baseball’s all-time saves leader, with 652, BET.com takes a look at the life and career of Mariano Rivera. — Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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From Fisherman to Baseball Star - Mariano Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama, on Nov. 29, 1969. He was raised in the fishing town and spent his early teen years working as a fisherman, but left the family business to pursue a baseball career. He joined the Panamá Oeste, a local, amateur baseball team in 1988.(Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
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From Local to Major League - Rivera was scouted by Herb Raybourn, director of Latin American operations for the New York Yankees, who at first glance, passed on the shortstop. “He had a good arm and good hands, but I didn't think he could be a major league shortstop so I passed on him," Raybourn said.(Photo: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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From Panama to New York - Rivera, a natural born athlete, was not set on pursuing a career in baseball. In fact, he preferred soccer. But baseball was his way out of Panama. The Yankees offered Rivera a $3,000 signing bonus on Feb. 17, 1990. He had never left Panama and spoke no English.(Photo: TONY RANZE/AFP/Getty Images)
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Show and Improve - When he arrived in the U.S., he was placed on the Gulf Coast Rookie League, the lowest rung on the team's minor league ladder. Rivera pitched in 21 games and had the lowest earned run average in the league, but he was five innings short of qualifying for the league’s ERA title.(Photo: Andy Lyons/Allsport/Getty Images)
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Major League Debut - Rivera made his major league debut with a start against the Angels in Anaheim on May 23, 1995. He became the 25th Panamanian player to appear in a major league game. While he struck out the first two men, he didn’t make it to the fourth inning. The game ended with a loss for the Yankees, 10-0. He was sent back to the minors after this game.(Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport/Getty Images)
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Relentless Spirit - Rivera was dedicated to improving his career. His fastball, which clocked in at 90 mph while he was in the minor leagues, rapidly improved to 95 mph. He returned to the Yankees on July 4, 1995, in Chicago, helping the Yankees defeat the White Sox with a 4-1 win.(Photo: Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
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What a Relief - Rivera’s ability to excel as a reliever was seen in 1995 when the Yankees played Seattle at the Division Series. He didn’t allow a run, stranded all six runners he inherited and struck out eight against a walk and three hits, according to Sports Illustrated.(Photo: Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
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An All-Star Is Born - Rivera’s game continued to improve over the next few years, but no one would predict that he would become one of the best athletes of all time. He was picked for the first of 13 All-Star teams in 1997. His first four All-Star Game saves are a Major League Baseball record.(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Topping the Charts - In his first year as a Yankees closer, Rivera had an exceptional record, given his humble beginnings. He surpassed a career-high nine saves.(Photo: Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
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Overcoming Injury - While he was only on the injury list a few times throughout his career, Rivera’s most talked about injury occurred while he was in the minor leagues in 1992. The surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament was confused with Tommy John surgery, which would have required doctors to replace his ligament as oppose to repairing it. (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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World Series Performance - Rivera proved himself on the mound for the final out of the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009 World Series. He helped the Yankees win World Series Championships in 1996, 1998-2000 and in 2009.(Photo: Vincent Laforet/Getty Images)
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Road to Retirement - Rivera announced on March 9, 2013, that he would retire after the 2013 season. “It was important for me to meet the people who make baseball what it is, the people who work in the game every day. They have given me far more than I have given them,” Rivera told the Star Tribune. (Photo: Kyodo/Landov)
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42 Is Put to Rest - Rivera became the first active player to have his number retired in a ceremony honoring him on Sept. 22 at Yankee Stadium on “Mariano Rivera Day.” In addition to retiring his number, Metallica performed Rivera’s entry song “Enter Sandman,” and the Yankees also put together a five-minute video tribute featuring Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte.(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)