Mariano Rivera reaches baseball milestone Tuesday night
Mariano Rivera is one of the best relief pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball. The Yankees helped Mariano Rivera reach a special mark Tuesday night in Seattle.
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera throws against the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Seattle. The Yankees won 3-2. It was Rivera's 600th save.
Elaine Thompson/AP
When they finally write the comprehensive history of the New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera's name will be all over the publication.
Yes, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, and George Steinbrenner will be there, too.
But 'Mo' Rivera should have a chapter all to himself.
The Yankees reliever earned his 600th career save Tuesday night in Seattle when New York beat the Mariners, 3-2.
Rivera is now just one save away from tying the major league record for career saves, set by Trevor Hoffman who spent time with the Marlins, Padres and Brewers from 1993 to 2010.
The Yankees victory was sealed not on a typical Rivera cutter, but a 'caught stealing' when catcher Russell Martin threw out Ichiro Suzuki trying to steal second base in the bottom of the ninth inning.
While the number 600 is impressive, Rivera is probably better known for his 42 postseason saves during a 17-year MLB career, which helped the Yankees win five World Series titles.
And that should easily earn him a place among the greats of the game at the Baseball Hall of Fame.