Mariano Rivera posts Major League Baseball saves record with 602nd save – MLB News
New York Yankees’ pitcher, Mariano Rivera tossed unplayable pitches to achieve his 602nd saves to become the Number one pitcher in Major League Baseball for the most saves of all time.
Mariano Rivera has been looking to get this mark for the past five games but he had to wait for different reasons. This time he managed to accomplish his dream mark with an outstanding performance against the Minnesota Twins in Monday’s 6-4 win.
Rivera threw 13 unplayable pitches to surpass Trevor Hoffman’s record of 601 saves. Mariano has proved himself the most valuable closer of all time in the history of the game. Rivera had not felt like that ever in his entire 16-years career.
"For the first time in my career, I am on the mound alone," Rivera said. "There was nobody behind me, nobody in front of me, and I'm still surrounded by so many people. I can't describe that feeling. It was priceless. It was a moment I didn't know could
be like that. I was thanking God in that moment."
41-year hurler has always been in leading position to save the Yankees in crucial games. Taking this win, he defeated the opposing batters for the 43rd time in the 2011 regular season. He is also at third place in most saves three short of Detroit
Tigers’ Jose Valverde’s 46 and Atlanta Braves’ Craig Kimbrel’s 45.
Trevor Hoffman was struggling in the 2010 season when he posted his 601 saves record but Rivera has displayed his top performance to break this mark. Rivera got a chance in 61 games and managed his ERA to 1.98 in this season, one of the lowest in this season.
His overall performance has also been on the top throughout his career. He has a 2.22 amazing ERA despite having played 1038 games over his 16-years career, which started in 1995.
Rivera has gained all these saves being a part of the New York Yankees since his debut outing on May 23, 1995. Before the season started, speculation was circling in the League about Rivera’s ability to achieve this record. However, the undisputable master
has proved he can still play for the next ten years.
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