Players Recall The Greatest Relief Pitcher Who Ever Lived: A Tribute to Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera is widely regarded as the greatest relief pitcher who ever lived. He was a five-time All-Star, a 13-time AL East champion, and a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees. He finished his career with a 2.21 ERA and 652 saves, both of which rank among the highest in MLB history.

Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and signed with the Yankees as a free agent in 1990. He made his MLB debut in 1995 and quickly established himself as one of the best relievers in the game. He was known for his blazing fastball and devastating cutter, which he used to strike out batters at an incredible rate.

Facing Mariano Rivera: Players Recall the Greatest Relief Pitcher Who Ever Lived

by Genius Reads

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1707 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	280 pages

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Rivera was a key member of the Yankees' dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He helped the team win four World Series titles in five years, and he was named the World Series MVP in 1999.

In 2013, Rivera retired after 19 seasons with the Yankees. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, becoming the first player to receive 100% of the vote.

Rivera was one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history. He was a master of the strikeout, and he had a remarkable ability to get out of jams. He was also a great teammate and leader, and he was always willing to help the younger players on the team.

In this article, players who played with and against Rivera share their memories of his dominance and his impact on the game of baseball.

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter played alongside Rivera for 15 seasons with the Yankees. He said that Rivera was the greatest relief pitcher he ever saw, and that he was a big reason why the Yankees were so successful during their dynasty.

"Mariano was the best," Jeter said. "He was the most dominant reliever I've ever seen. He could come into a game and shut down the other team's best hitters. He was a huge part of our success in the late 1990s and early 2000s."

Andy Pettitte

Andy Pettitte pitched with Rivera for 10 seasons with the Yankees. He said that Rivera was the best teammate he ever had, and that he was always there for him when he needed him.

"Mariano was the best teammate I ever had," Pettitte said. "He was always there for me, both on and off the field. He was a great leader and a great friend. I'm so grateful that I got to play with him."

David Ortiz

David Ortiz played against Rivera for many years with the Boston Red Sox. He said that Rivera was the toughest pitcher he ever faced, and that he was always a challenge to hit.

"Mariano was the toughest pitcher I ever faced," Ortiz said. "He was so dominant. He had a great fastball and a devastating cutter. He was always a challenge to hit. I'm glad I got to face him, but I'm also glad I don't have to face him anymore."

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez played with Rivera for seven seasons with the Yankees. He said that Rivera was a great mentor to him, and that he helped him become a better player.

"Mariano was a great mentor to me," Rodriguez said. "He helped me become a better player. He taught me how to be a professional and how to be a leader. I'm so grateful that I got to play with him."

Mariano Rivera is widely regarded as the greatest relief pitcher who ever lived. He was a dominant force on the mound, and he helped the New York Yankees win five World Series championships. He was also a great teammate and leader, and he had a positive impact on everyone who knew him.

Rivera is a true legend of the game of baseball, and he will never be forgotten.

Facing Mariano Rivera: Players Recall the Greatest Relief Pitcher Who Ever Lived

by Genius Reads

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1707 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	280 pages

FREE