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

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FormygrandpaJackBaron,aBrooklynDodgersfanatic,whotoldmestoriesaboutanotherlegendaryNo.42,JackieRobinson.

CONTENTS

ForewordIntroduction

SectionOne:Infielders

RobertoAlomarDavidAdamsMikeBlowersAaronBooneMikeBordickRobinsonCanoEricChavezJeffConineCarlosDelgadoMarkDeRosaRobertEenhoornMattFrancoNomarGarciaparraJasonGiambiOzzieGuillenScottHattebergToddHeltonDerekJeterChipperJonesEricKarrosRyanKleskoCoreyKoskieKevinKouzmanoffTinoMartinezLouMerloniDougMientkiewiczKevinMillarBillMuellerLyleOverbay

DustinPedroiaMarkReynoldsKevinSeitzerBillSelbyEdSpragueJasonSmithMarkTeixeiraJimThomeRobinVenturaTyWiggintonTonyWomackDavidWrightKevinYoukilis

SectionTwo:Outfielders

BradyAndersonGarretAndersonFrankCatalanottoBubbaCarpenterJohnnyDamonJimEdmondsDarinErstadLewFordBrettGardnerLuisGonzalezCurtisGrandersonGabeGrossDavidHulseMikeHumphreysToriiHunterRaulIbanezReedJohnsonAdamJonesMarkKotsayPaulO’NeillJayPaytonAlexRios

DaveRobertsTimSalmonMikeSimmsMattStairsIchiroSuzukiNickSwisherB.J.UptonShaneVictorinoVernonWells

SectionThree:Catchers

SalFasanoFranciscoCervelliJohnFlahertyDarrinFletcherToddGreeneJesseLevisRussellMartinChadMoellerGustavoMolinaSalvadorPerezWilNievesA.J.PierzynskiJorgePosadaAustinRomineTerrySteinbachChrisStewartKellyStinnettTomWilsonGreggZaun

SectionFour:DesignatedHitters

JackCustEricHinskeKevinMaasEdgarMartinez

DavidOrtizLukeScottMikeSweeney

SectionFive:Pitchers

JonathanAlbaladejoBronsonArroyoDellinBetancesJobaChamberlainDavidConeDennisEckersleyTomGordonRichGooseGossageJasonGrimsleyDavidHuffPhilHughesJasonIsringhausenShawnKelleyPedroMartinezAlLeiterJoeNathanDennyNeagleJeffNelsonAndyPettitteJ.J.PutzDavidRobertsonCCSabathiaCurtSchillingJohnSmoltzMikeStantonTanyonSturtzeRickSutcliffeJustinVerlanderRonVilloneAdamWarrenJohnWetteland

SectionSix:Management

MikeBorzelloBruceBochyBrianButterfieldBillEversTerryFranconaJoeGirardiMikeHarkeyJimLeylandBillLiveseyMitchLukevicsJoeMaddonBobMelvinMarkNewmanJuanNievesHerbRaybournLarryRothschildGlennSherlockMikeSciosciaJoeTorre

CareerStatisticsAcknowledgementsPhotoCredit

IFOREWORD

FYOU’VEEVERstudiedthebestmajorleaguepitchers,eitherfromaseatatthe ballpark or on television, when a batter swung and missed, you, as adecentballplayerinyourday,mighthavemuttered,“Icould’vehitthatone.”

Andmaybeyoucouldhave.Butmaybenot.Probablynot.AndifthatpitcherwasMarianoRivera,almost

certainlynot.Page after page in Facing Mariano Rivera, you will read how he not only

baffledthebestmajorleaguehitterswithhiscutfastball,heoftenshatteredtheirbats.Ofallthegiftshereceivedinhis2013farewelltour,hesaidhisfavoritewasarockingchairconstructedofbrokenbatsfromtheMinnesotaTwins.“Ifyou’realefthandedhitter,”saysanopponentwholaterwouldbeaYankeesteammate,“youalmosthavetolookforanoutsidepitchandpullit,becauseifit’smiddlein,it’sgoingtobreakyourbat.”IfonlyDavidFischercouldhaveinterviewedsomeofthoseshatteredbats.

Noneedto tellyouhere themostsuccessfulhitteragainstbaseball’sgreatestcloser,butevenhe acknowledges, “Itwasneveracomfortableatbat.”Anotherhitter who once swatted fifty home runs (none off Rivera), analyzes that “Hiscutterhasfour-seamfastballspinandthenitcuts—itcutslate...andhelearnedtothrowatwo-seamfastballthatbrokeinonrighties.”

Forallofthehitters’testimony,perhapsthemostauthoritativecommentsarefromhisYankees’teammates.Fromtheoutfielderwhosays,“HewastheDevilwhenIwasplayingagainsthim,butwhenIcamehere,hebecameGodbecausehe’sonourside.”Fromtheright-handedpitcherwhosays,“Hisarmslotisthesame every pitch.” From the bullpen catcher who says, “I don’t think he everthrewaballthateverbouncedinmytwelveyearsofcatchinghiminthebullpen.Hewouldpitchupanddown,andinandout,butneverintheground.”

Andasmuchasalltheseopposingbattersdisliketryingtohitthatcutfastball,they praise him for never “showing up” any of them. “Once you get to knowMariano,” one says, “you respect himmore as a person than as a player.” Aschallengingandfrustratingasfacinghimwas,theyseemtoenjoyhavinghadtheopportunity. And now the opportunity in these pages to describe what it waslike.

—DaveAnderson

DINTRODUCTION

URING HIS ILLUSTRIOUS career, Mariano Rivera faced over fivethousand batters, from Brady Anderson to Gregg Zaun; from stars likeDavidOrtiz,whofacedhimthirty-fourtimes,toneophyteslikeBillSelby,

who faced him twice. The list of batters included in this book run the gamutfromHallofFamers likeRobertoAlomar,whomanaged tohit .455 (5 for11)against him, to All-Stars like Alex Rios, who didn’t have a hit in 15 plateappearances, to JasonSmith,a lifetime .212batterwho inexplicablyhit .600 (3for5)againstRivera.

“Idon’tthinkIownedhim,”saysSmith.“Iwasverylucky.”Thesuccessor(moreoftenthannot)failureratewhenfacingRiveraforeach

playerinterviewedforthisbookhasbeendocumentedtothebestofmyability.SomeplayerswillboastoftheirpersonalaccomplishmentsagainstRivera,whileotherscanonly laughat themselves fortheir futilityagainsthim.Whateverthecase,eachof thespeakers’uniqueachievements,eitherpositiveornegative,arerecognizedundertheheadinglabeled“MoCred,”asincredibility.

Whatevertheresultscompiledbyindividualbatters,thismuchistrue:Iftherewasonereliefpitcherinthelasttwodecadeswhopersonifiestheword“closer,”astadium full of baseball experts would pick Rivera. Few, if any, relief pitchersenjoyed the immensely positive reputation for finality that Rivera earnedwiththeYankees.AsmanagerJoeGirardisaid:“Ilovewhenhecomesintothegame.Youfeellikeit’sover.”

Finalityisasubjectoftencitedbythenearly150baseballpeoplewhospoketome about Rivera. I conducted the interviews during the 2013 season, whileRiverawasstillanactiveplayer;hence,therecollectionsoftheplayersarespokeninthepresenttense.OneofthefirstballplayersIspokewithwasMikeSweeney,who compares Rivera’s entrance music to the soundtrack of a horror movie,because “you hear that music and you know what’s going to happen,” saysSweeney.“Marianowillfinishthegameandgetthesave.”

The vision ofRivera bursting through the bullpen doorwas enough to giveeven themostmalevolent opponents serious pause.With theYankee Stadiumsound system blaring Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and the fans raucouslycheering in anticipation, Rivera jogged across the outfield grass and strodegracefully to themound.Themusicmeant that entering the game isMarianoRivera, the reedy right-handed relief pitcher from Panamawith a steely focus

andasenseofmentalcalmsogreathecouldsleepthroughathunderstorm.Hefiressevenoreightwarm-uppitches,staresblanklyathistargetwithshark-likeeyes,andthengetsdowntotheseriousbusinessofrecordingthethreetoughestoutsinbaseball.

Morethananyoneelse,itwasRiveradoinghisjobthatpropelledtheYankeestobeWorldSerieschampionsfivetimes,ashewasonthemoundtorecordthefinaloutinfourclinchingSeriesgamesin1998,1999,2000,and2009.OctoberafterOctober,the6-foot-2,185-pounderheldprecariousleadstheYankeeshadscratched together. He literally attacked rival hitters with one pitch: anunsolvable cut fastball that has been called a combination of thunder andlocation.Thatpitch,morethananyothersubject,wasarecurringthemeamongthe pitchers and position players who participated in this project. All of thebattersIspoketo,particularlythosehittingleft-handed,hadvividmemoriesoffrustratingplateappearancesthatmoretimesthannotendedwiththemholdingapieceoftheirownbrokenbat.

Sometimes a ballplayer’s time was limited or our time together cut short,resulting in a briefer interview than I had anticipated. Many of these playerssincerely apologized for not being able to devote more time to talking aboutRivera, though their comments are just as insightful and revealing. In theseinstances, I have set off the text in a special box titled “Mo Respect,” anappropriatemoniker to express the admiration they feel toward the lastmajorleaguebaseballplayertowearNo.42.

Theballplayersrepresentedinthisbooktoldmanyamusingstoriesandhadanuncannymemoryforgamesituations,pitchsequences,baserunners, thenameoftheumpirebehindtheplate,andsimilardetailsthatoccurredingamesplayedmanyyearsago.Timeandagain, Iwasamazedbyaplayer’s instant recall andunusualabilitytoprovidetheplay-by-playforaregularseasongameoccurringinthelastdecadethathadlittleornoimpactontheleague’spennantrace.Whilethisbookisbasedontheirmemories,Idoprovidefootnotestooccasionallysetthe record straight, to elaborate on their stories, and to place game events inhistoricalcontext.

Rivera’shistoricalimpactontheYankees’success,especiallyinthepostseason,couldn’t possibly be any greater.Twelve people havewalkedon themoonbutonlyelevenhavescoredanearnedrunoffRiverainthepostseason.Hislifetimepostseasonearnedrunaverageof0.70in141inningsisthemajorleaguerecord.DuringtheYankees,memorable1998season,Riveradidnotgiveuparunintenpostseason appearances. He did the same again during eight appearances in

1999,whenhewastheWorldSeriesMostValuablePlayer.Moreimpressivestill,his record 42 postseason saves, including 11 in theWorld Series, are 24morethanhisnext closest competitor,BradLidge (18),which explainswhyRivera’steammatescouldactasiftheywereabouttoinheritthefamilytrustfundwhenheenteredthegame.

“Hewantstheballinbigsituationsand[is]notafraidofanyone,”saysDerekJeter.“Youwon’tseeanyonelikehimagain.”

Riveraretiredas thekingofallclosers.Final inventory figures forhiscareerwillshowthatallotherreliefpitcherswillbeshootingathismarkof652savesfora long time to come. But Mariano Rivera’s contributions go beyond merenumbers, impressive though they happen to be. It’s the form as well as thesubstance thatmakesRivera a star in the grandoldYankee tradition: humble,gracious, and poised. The fact that he’s also a spiritualmanmade him all themorevaluableasaninspirationtohisteammatesandtohisopponents.Thosetowhom I spoke lauded Rivera for his comportment, sportsmanship, classydemeanor, and for his professionalism.To aman, everyone admiredhim as ahumanbeing,respectedhimasacompetitor,andmarveledat thehigh levelofperformance he sustained for a storied franchise in a pressure-cookerenvironment.

Manyoftheinterviewsinthisbooktookplaceinthedaysfollowingthe2013All-StarGame,whichwill longberememberedforthetouchingmomentwhenRiveraenteredthegame.

He stood alone on the mound as his American League teammates andNational League opponents remained in their respective dugouts, allowingRivera to soak in the two-minute standing ovation from the adoring crowd.ThoseIspoketocitethisunprecedentedtributebestoweduponRiveraasbeingoneofthemostemotionalmomentsthey’veeverexperiencedwhilewatchingabaseballgame.Rivera’sabilitytorehabilitatefromaseriouskneeinjuryresultinginsurgerythatlimitedhis2012seasontojustnineappearancesandtocomebacktofinishhisfinalseasonatthetopofhisgameisalsoacommonrecurringthemethatspeakstoRivera’scharacter.

Hollywoodscriptwriterscouldnothaveconjuredthestorylineanybetter.Thesonofa fishermanwhogrewupplayingbaseballonabeachinPanamawithamilkcartonforaglove,atreelimbforabat,androlled-upfishingnetforaball,wouldcometoAmericaandgoontobecomethegreatestcloserofalltime.Fiveyears after his retirement, Rivera should become the first player to winunanimouselection to theHallofFame,provinghowreveredhe isamonghis

peersinthegame.Truly dominant pitchers come along only rarely. Rarer still are those who

embodyattributesthatanyparentwouldwanthissonordaughtertohave.IsincerelyhopeyouenjoythistributetoMarianoRivera.

SectionOne:Infielders

S

RobertoAlomarSecondbase

PlayingCareerSanDiegoPadres,TorontoBlueJays,BaltimoreOrioles,ClevelandIndians,NewYorkMets,ChicagoWhiteSox,andArizonaDiamondbacksfrom1988to2004

CareerStatistics2,379 games, 2,724 hits, 210 home runs, 1,134 runs batted in, .300 battingaverage,.371on-basepercentage,.443sluggingpercentage

RobertoAlomarfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)5-for-11,3extra-basehits,1runbattedin,2walks,3strikeouts,.455battingaverage,.500on-basepercentage,.727sluggingpercentage

MoCredAlomar,aHallofFamer,struckoutandgroundedoutfacingRiveraasamemberoftheOriolesinthe1996AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries,wonbytheYankeesinfivegames.

EEINGMARIANOMEANT,ninety-ninepercentofthetime,thegamewasover.Mentally,guysthoughtitwasoverwhenhecameintoagame.

Firstofall,he’sveryconfident.Iadmiredhisapproach.Hesaid,“Ifyou’regoingtobeatme,you’regoingtobeatmewithmybestpitch.”

RobertoAlomar

Year Date Result1996 4/30 Popout 6/28 Single 7/13 Walk 9/19 DoublePostseason 10/9 Strikeout(Swinging)

10/12 Groundout1998 6/17 Double 9/20 Double1999 6/1 Single2000 5/1 Walk 5/3 Sacrificebunt2001 6/2 Strikeout(Swinging) 6/25 Groundout2003 6/22 Strikeout(Swinging) 6/28 Sacrificefly(1RBI) 6/29 Groundout 8/28 Strikeout(Swinging)

That’swhatmadehimsodifferentthanalltheothers.Tome,it’samazinghowhedidit,withonlyonepitch.

He’sagreatstudentofthegame,andIthinktheolderhegot,thebetterhegot.Hestartedthrowingcuttersbackdoor,andstartedthrowingcuttersinside.

Mariano set the standard for closers, and somanypeople admirehim.He’sjustsogoodforbaseball.Forhimtoclosethislong,atthislevel,isjustridiculous.

MoRespect

DavidAdamsAdamswasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesin2013.

TheonethingthatsticksoutmosttomeishowelectrifyingthecrowdgetsandhowloudtheStadiumgetseverytimehecomesouttothemound.Assoonashissongcomesontheloudspeaker,andhejogsthroughthegate,it’sjustlikeabigboom.That’stheonethingthatiselectrifyingtome.

MikeBlowersThirdbase

PlayingCareerNew York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, and OaklandAthleticsfrom1989to1999

I

CareerStatistics761games,591hits,78homeruns,365runsbattedin,.257battingaverage,.329on-basepercentage,.416sluggingpercentage

MikeBlowersfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-3,2strikeouts

MoCred

RiverastruckoutBlowersonthreepitchesinthedecisivegameofthe1995AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries.

MikeBlowers

Year Date Result1995 8/25 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/25 Strikeout(Looking)Postseason 10/6 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/8 Strikeout(Looking)1998 8/4 Flyout

SAWHIMCOMINGoutofthebullpenandturnedaroundtowalkbacktothedugouttoask[coach]LeeEliaforascoutingreport.Hehadaprettygoodfastball,mid-90s,withalittlelatecuttoit.Iwatchedhimwarmupanddidn’t

thinkmuchofit.Certainly,Ididn’trealizehewasgoingtobecomethegreatestcloserever,aHallofFamer.

JustbeforeIwenttotheplate,[outfielder]VinceColemancameoutandaskedmewhatIwasgoingtodo.Hetoldme,“He’sayoungguywhoisn’tgoingtobesureofthesituation.Whydon’tyoutakeone?”

Thefirstpitchwas93[milesanhour]rightdownthemiddle.Ikickedmyselffortakingit.Everyfastballhethrewwasalittleharder.It’stheonlyat-batIhaveregret about.Not somuchwhat Iwould have donewith it; I don’t feel badlyaboutthat.IjustwishIwouldhavegivenmyselfachance.Thatfirstpitchwasn’t

hisbestfastball.Thenheputmeaway.*I’vealwaysappreciatedwhathe’sdoneandwhathe’sabout.Alotofguyshave

beengreatpitchers,HallofFamepitchers,butveryfewhavehandledthemselvesthewayhehas.That little skip-hophedoescoming through thebullpendoor,thenhecomesjoggingin,I’llmissthat.

MoRespect

AaronBooneBoone’s walk-off home run in the eleventh inning of Game Seven of the 2003 American LeagueChampionshipSeriesdefeatedtheBostonRedSox,6-5,makingRiverathewinningpitcherandsendingtheYankeestotheWorldSeries.

MylastingmemoryofMarianoRiveraishimcollapsingonthemoundattheendofGameSevenofthe2003 A.L.C.S. after he had gone three innings and shut down that great Red Sox offense. To see himcompletelyovercomewithjoyissomethingI’llalwaysremember.

Ithinkhe’sarguablythemostreveredathleteinhistory.Thereareatonofpeoplewholovehim.Thatspeakstohischaracter,hisgrace,andthewayhe’scarriedhimselfthroughouthisentirecareer.TohaveaguylikethatwhoplaysfortheYankees—he’srevered,whetheryou’refriendorfoe.Ialwaystellpeoplehe’sexactlylikehowyouthinkheis:humble,graceful,andkind.Butunderneathitall,he’salsotheultimatecompetitor.

MikeBordickShortstop

PlayingCareerOaklandAthletics, BaltimoreOrioles,NewYorkMets, and Toronto Blue Jaysfrom1990to2003

CareerStatistics1,720games,1,500hits,91homeruns,626runsbattedin,.260battingaverage,.323on-basepercentage,.362sluggingpercentage

MikeBordickfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

I

6-for-26,2extra-basehits,1runbattedin,3walks,3strikeouts,.286battingaverage,.323on-basepercentage,.362sluggingpercentage

MoCredBordick’s.804OPS,whichison-basepercentageplussluggingpercentage,isthirdbestamonghitterswithatleast24plateappearancesagainstRivera,trailingonlyRafaelPalmeiro(1.050)andDavidOrtiz(.936).

MikeBordick

Year Date Result1995 5/28 Single 5/28 Single 6/6 Single 6/6 Lineout 9/1 Walk1996 5/31 Flyout 9/2 Groundout1997 9/6 Fielder’schoice1998 5/21 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/20 Flyout1999 4/13 Triple 4/15 Strikeout(Looking) 6/25 Popout 7/2 Flyout 9/28 Strikeout(Swinging)2000 5/7 Flyout 7/24 Walk 7/26 Popout2001 5/4 Flyout 5/12 GroundedintoDP 6/6 Walk2002 4/4 Flyout 6/3 Double(1RBI) 9/28 Single

NEVERREALIZEDTHAT [statistic]. It’s funny because I only rememberonehit.Itwasatripletoleft-center.Hespedupmybatwithaslider.Itwasoneofthehighlightsofmycareer.Itmighthavebeentheonlysliderheever

W

threw.*Idon’tthinkthathe’schangedverymuch,andwhyshouldhe,afterallthose

innings, all those clutch situations?Now sometimes he’llmix in a two-seamerthatsinks.He’sjustsocomfortableonthemound.Hisvelocityisinthelow90snow, but he’s still very effective. He’s able to locate. He’s so smart. He’ssomethingof a grandmaster.He knowswhat hewants to do andhe executesperfectlyalmostallofthetime.

RobinsonCanoSecondbase

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesandSeattleMarinerssince2005


MoCredCanowasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesfrom2005to2013andwasamemberofthe2009WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

HENYOU’RE IN theminor leagues, and you see guys up in the bigleagueswhoarethebestintheworld,youmightbeafraidtosayhellotothem.ButMarianowasaguywhowasalwayscomingup toguysand

wouldsay,“Hey,howyoudoing?”That’soneof thebest thingsabouthim;youalways feelcomfortablearound

him. You don’t feel like this isMariano Rivera and you have to be careful ordon’t want to bother him. His door is always open. He’s always available forwhateveryouwant.

WewenttodinneronetimeinAnaheim.He’saguywhoisalwaysaroundhisfamilyand[yet]hetakesthetimetotakearookieouttodinnerandthatreallymeanta lot tome. I rememberwewent toBenihana.Thatwasoneofmybest

F

daysinbaseballbecauseIgottogooutwithMarianoandIwasjustarookie.Tobeabletospendtimewithhimandaskquestionsreallymeantalot.Iasked

himquestionsaboutbaseballandhowhecanstayinthegamesolongandhowhecanstaysohumble.Thosekindsof thingsthatyouwanttoasktheguy.Hepickedupthetab,ofcourse.Iwouldhavenochancetopay[when]withhim.

TwothingsaboutMariano:He’sthegreatestcloserinthegameandoneofthebestteammatesIeverhad.

EricChavezThirdbase

PlayingCareerOaklandAthletics,NewYorkYankees,andArizonaDiamondbackssince1998


EricChavezfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)5-for-16,1extra-basehit,1walk,3strikeouts,.313battingaverage,.353on-basepercentage,.375sluggingpercentage

MoCredChavezspenttwoseasonsasRivera’steammatewhileplayingfortheYankeesin2011and’12.

ACINGMARIANOISwhatyouwouldexpectittobe.Youjustknewyouwere going to get a cutter and therewas apretty good chance that if youwere a lefthand hitter he was going to break your bat. If I faced him

[around] fifteen times, I’d probably say he broke five or six bats. You prettymuchknewwhenyouwentup thereyoubetterbe takingabatyou’renot toofondofbecausehewasprobablygoingtobreakit.*

EricChavez

Year Date Result1999 4/6 Strikeout(Swinging)2000 5/30 Single 8/27 GroundoutPostseason 10/6 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/8 Foulout2001 4/28 Strikeout(Swinging)Postseason 10/13 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/15 Fielder’schoice2002 4/23 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/11 Popout2003 8/1 Single 8/3 Single2004 5/5 Popout 8/4 Double2005 5/6 Single 5/15 Lineout2007 4/15 Groundout 6/29 Popout2008 6/12 Walk2010 4/21 Fielder’schoice2013 4/17 Fielder’schoice

Whenhewasyoung,hewasyourtypical96milesanhourwithahugecutter.Itwaspuzzlinghowaballcouldmovesomuch.Whenyougobackandlookathiscareerandwhathe’sdonewiththatonepitch,Idon’tthinkthere’sagreaterachievement in this game than that. To go through major league hitters anddominatethemforalltheseyears,it’soneofthegreatestfeatsI’lleverlookbackon. I honestly believe that, too. I don’t think people realize how incredible itreallyis.Itwillneverbeduplicated—ever.

MoRespect

JeffConineConinewas5-for-14with1homerunand5runsbattedinfacingRiveraduringtheregularseason,and

1-for-2inthe2003WorldSeries.

JeffConine

Year Date Result1998 5/12 Flyout1999 4/15 Double(1RBI) 6/27 Lineout2000 5/6 Walk 7/24 Flyout2001 5/6 Walk 5/13 Homerun(3RBI) 6/6 Strikeout(Looking) 6/7 Groundout 7/4 Sacrificefly(1RBI) 9/23 Groundout2002 4/3 Single 4/18 Strikeout(Looking)2003 6/30 Groundout 7/23 SinglePostseason 10/21 Single 10/25 Groundout2006 4/23 Groundout 8/4 Single

Therewasn’tanyparticularsetplanthatIhadagainsthim.Myfocuswastotrytogetaballinthestrikezoneandgetabarrelonit.Thatwasbasicallymyapproach.Youknowwhat’scomingeverysingletimeandit’sstillthatdifficulttohit.Countlesstimesyouseehimcomeinandnobodyevergetsthebatontheball.

IthinksomethingI’vetakenfromMoashisteammateisifyouhavearoutinethatworksforyou,thenyoudefinitelyshouldstickwithit.

CarlosDelgadoFirstbase

S

PlayingCareerTorontoBlueJays,FloridaMarlins,andNewYorkMetsfrom1993to2009


CarlosDelgadofacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)8-for-21,1extra-basehit,1runbattedin,2intentionalwalks,4strikeouts,.381battingaverage,.435on-basepercentage,.429sluggingpercentageMoCredDelgadowaswalkedintentionallytwicebyRivera,tyinghimwithEdgarMartinez,EvanLongoria,andPaulSorrentoformosttimesintentionallywalkedbyRivera.

EVEN SINGLESAND one double? I don’t call that exactly great successagainst a guy, but I’m happy for it. Probably the softest 8-for-21 in mycareer,butI’lltakeit.

CarlosDelgado

Year Date Result1996 6/4 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/6 Lineout 9/14 Groundout1997 5/20 Single 9/20 Foulout1999 4/24 Strikeout(Swinging) 4/25 Single 9/14 Single 9/15 Foulout2000 9/13 Foulout2001 4/19 Groundout 7/21 Single 8/30 Intentionalwalk 9/5 Double2002 4/9 Flyout2003 7/13 Groundout(1RBI) 9/4 Strikeout(Swinging)

2004 7/22 Single 7/26 Single2006 5/19 Intentionalwalk 5/20 Groundout2007 6/16 Single2008 6/28 Strikeout(Swinging)

He always had a good fastball, but once he had that [cutter], he becametougher.Theballjustexplodesonyou.That’sthedifferencebetweenhittingtheball and getting jammed. I always found that the cutter got in onme. I kepthittingtheballonthelabel.Icouldneversquarehimup.

Whatmadehimsoeffectiveishiscutterissohard[that]bythetimeyouseeit,youdon’thavetime[toreact].Yourhandscan’tgotowhereaballisn’t.

MarkDeRosaInfield

PlayingCareerAtlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, St. LouisCardinals,SanFranciscoGiants,WashingtonNationals,andTorontoBlueJaysfrom1998to2013

CareerStatistics1,241games,975hits,100homeruns,494runsbatted in, .268battingaverage,.340on-basepercentage,.412sluggingpercentage

MarkDeRosafacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-5,0extra-basehits,3strikeouts,1walk,.200battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage,.200sluggingpercentage

MoCredDeRosawasahugeYankeesfanwhilegrowingupinNewJerseyinthelate1980sandearly1990s.

I

MarkDeRosa

Year Date Result2001 6/8 Strikeout(Looking)2006 5/5 Groundout 5/7 Single 5/16 Walk2009 4/17 Strikeout(Looking)2013 8/21 Strikeout(Swinging)

REMEMBER THE FIRST time I walked into the batter’s box at YankeeStadium,in1999,toBobSheppardannouncingmynameinthatvoice,itwasjustawesome.IwenttogamesasakidandIrememberhimsaying:“Dahn...

Matting-ly”—andtohearhimsaymyname,itwaslike,man,I’vearrived.Myfirstat-batagainstMarianowasintheStadiumwhenIwaswithAtlantain

2001. [New York manager] Joe Torre calls him in from the bullpen, and themusic [“Enter Sandman” byMetallica, which is Rivera’s entrance song] startsplaying, and I’m like, “This is awesome. I’m going to get to faceMariano!” Irememberlookingintothestandswheremydadandmybrotherweresittinginthe family section.Mybrother is trying topsychmeup,he’syelling, “Let’sgo!Youcandoit!”

Nexttohimismydad,whohashisheadburiedinhishands,like,“Ohno,myson’sabouttostrikeouttoendthegame.”

I rememberwatchingMarianowarmup like itwas yesterday. I’m thinking,man,I’vewatchedthisguyforever.IthinkIcangettothat[cutter].Istepinthebatter’sbox,andI’mconfident,I’mready.ThefirstpitchIthinkisgoingtohitmesquarebetweentheribs,soIclosemyeyes.Iopenthemandtheumpiresays:“Strikeone.”

NowI’mthinking,ohno,I’mgoingtostrikeout.Itriedtoactcool,likethebigleaguer Iam,pretending I’ve seenapitcher like thisbefore.But in thebackofmindIknewitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeI’mgoingbacktothebench.*

Ifinallydidgetahitoffhim,afewyearslaterwithTexas,butitdidn’tmeananythingasfarasthegamewasconcerned.Idon’tremembertheexactsituation.ThehitIgotwasalinedriveupthemiddle.I’mprettysurehewasjustclosing

A

outagametoget insomework.Youhavemomentsduringyourcareerwhereyoureallytakeitinforasecond.Iwasrunningdowntofirst,andI’mlike,thisisawesome.Ijustgotahitoffoneofthegreatestpitcherstoevertakethemound.That’saprettycoolmomentforme.*

RobertEenhoornInfield

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesandAnaheimAngelsfrom1994to1997

CareerStatistics37games,16hits,1homerun,10runsbattedin,.239battingaverage,.260on-basepercentage,.328sluggingpercentage

MoCredEenhoornspentfourseasonsasRivera’sminorleagueteammatewithFortLauderdale,Albany,andColumbusfrom1992to1995.

T FORT LAUDERDALE [in 1992] we would race just to kill time andpitchersneverjoinedin—exceptMariano.Hewouldoutruneverybodyontheteam.Hewasthebestathleteanditreallywasn’tclose.

He only said something when he had something to say. Mariano wasobservant. There is so much time to mess around, but Mariano was alwayswatching,pickingupinformation,andlearning.

I remember facing him in batting practice; you knew fastballswere comingandIstillcouldn’tcatchupwiththem.

MattFranco

I

Firstbase

PlayingCareerChicagoCubs,NewYorkMets,andAtlantaBravesfrom1995to2003


MattFrancofacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-2,0extra-basehits,2runsbattedin,1walk,.500battingaverage,.667on-basepercentage,.500sluggingpercentage

MoCredFranco’stwo-runsingleoffRiverainthebottomoftheninthinninggavetheMetsa9-8walk-offwinovertheYankeesatSheaStadiumonJuly10,1999.

TWASAstorybookscenarioandIhappenedtogetagoodpitchtohitandIdidmy job,andhit a linedriveandwewon thegame. I feltgreat. Iwasn’tnervous.Itwasthehighlightofmycareer.*

MattFranco

Year Date Result1998 6/26 Walk1999 6/4 Groundout 7/10 Single(2RBI)2000(Postseason) 10/25 Strikeout(Looking)

Thathitmade the career, right there. I remember everymoment like itwasyesterday. Everybodywent crazy. I got back to our clubhouse and someone, IthinkitwasJay[Horwitz,theMets’mediarelationsdirector],said:“Thefansarewaitingforyou!Gobackoutthere!”

AndsoIwentoutandtookacurtaincall.

[Mariano] liveswith that hard, cut fastball.He gets leftieswith it time aftertime.YouseeiteverynightonTV.IjusttoldmyselfIwasn’tgoingtogetbeatbythatpitch.Hethrewone92milesperhourontheoutsidepartoftheplate.Iwasnotlookingforthatpitch.Hethrewsomegreatpitchesontheoutsidepartoftheplate,exactlywhereIwasn’tlooking.

Thepitchjustbefore[thewinninghit]wasaclosecall.Myheartstoppedforhalf a breath.TheYankees sure thought itwas strike three. I’m thinking, “It’sMariano,man,andMoalwaysgets thatcall.WhotheheckamI?MattFrancodoesn’tgetthatcall.”ButIdid,thoughI’mnotsurehow,andthenIgotthehitandwewon.**

My friends will sometimes say in a good-natured way that my [lifetime]battingaverage[of.267]isnotthatgood,andIsay,“Yeah,butwhenyourat-batsareagainstMarianoRivera,RobbNenn,andall thoseclosers, it’sprettygood.”Beingamajorleagueplayerwasprettycool.

NomarGarciaparraShortstop

PlayingCareerBoston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Oakland Athleticsfrom1996to2009


NomarGarciaparrafacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)7-for-18,3extra-basehits,3runsbattedin,3strikeouts,.389battingaverage,.389on-basepercentage,.611sluggingpercentage

H

NomarGarciaparra

Year Date Result1996 9/28 Strikeout(Swinging)1997 6/1 Triple(1RBI)1998 9/8 Single1999 5/20 Single 5/27 PopoutPostseason 10/14 Single 10/17 Groundout2000 6/14 Groundout 9/8 Flyout 9/9 Strikeout(Looking)2003 5/28 Single(2RBI) 7/6 Fielder’schoice 7/7 Single 7/25 Double 8/30 Flyout 8/31 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/7 FlyoutPostseason 10/11 Groundout 10/14 Groundout(1RBI) 10/16 Strikeout(Looking)2004 7/23 Groundout 7/24 Double2009 7/26 Groundout

MoCredGarciaparra,atwo-timeAmericanLeaguebattingchampion,was1-for-5facingRiverainthepostseason.

E’SGOINGTOgodownasoneofthebestclosers,ifnotthebestcloser,inbaseball.Hesetastandardforaspiringclosers.

I moved closer to the mound against him. It probably increasesvelocity,butIwasmoreworriedaboutthelatebreak.Hiscutterwouldbreaksolate.

Noteveryoneofthemcut.Itwasn’tlikeeverysingleoneofthemmovedtheexactsamedistance.Iwasmoreworriedaboutthebreakthanthevelocity,soIthoughtifImovedup[inthebatter’sbox]Icouldreducethatlatebreak.

JasonGiambiFirstbaseandDesignatedhitter

PlayingCareerOaklandAthletics,NewYorkYankees,ColoradoRockies,andClevelandIndianssince1995


JasonGiambifacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-12,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,2walks,3strikeouts,.250battingaverage,.357on-basepercentage,.250sluggingpercentage

MoCredGiambiplayedwiththeYankeesforsevenseasonsasRivera’steammatefrom2002to2008.

JasonGiambi

Year Date Result1995 9/1 Strikeout(Looking) 9/1 Strikeout(Swinging)1996 5/21 Fielder’schoice 8/23 Single 9/2 Fielder’schoice1997 4/5 Single 4/11 Popout 7/28 Groundout

1999 4/6 Single

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(1RBI) 8/11 Foulout 8/30 Walk2000 8/8 WalkPostseason 10/4 Groundout 10/6 Groundout 10/8 Flyout2001(Postseason) 10/11 Doubleplay 10/13 Groundout 10/15 Single2009 4/22 Fielder’schoice2013 6/4 Strikeout(Swinging)

EBROKEINTOthebigleaguesalmostatthesametime.Ispentalotoftime facinghimwhen I played for the [Oakland]A’s.The things thatmade him so successful from Day 1 were presence and preparation.

Evenwhenhewasyoungerhewassogoodwiththelocationofhispitches.Hehadthatcutterthatranuponyouat93,94milesperhour.Hehadotherpitches,too, but the cutter was his bread and butter. He was throwing saw blades upthere,chewingupbats.Theamazingthingis17yearslaterthecutterisstillhisbreadandbutter.Heruns it inonyouand tiesyouup. Idon’tknow ifyou’regoingtoseeaguylikethatcomearoundanymore,especiallyaguywhodoesitwithjustonepitch.Yougouptherelookingforonepitchandyoustillcan’thitit.*

IwasateammateofhisforalongtimeinNewYork.He’sincredible.There’snobettercloser,inmyopinion,thanMariano.Theguyislikeice.Iwasthere[inNewYork]forsevenyearsandIcanonlycountmaybeoneortwotimesthatIcanrememberthathehadablownsave.Andyouweresoshockedthatheblewasave. Itwas incredible.Andwhat really standsout ishedid thisplaying in theAmericanLeagueEast.That’swhereyou findoutwhatkindofplayeryouare,theA.L.East,andthat’swherehespenthisentirecareer.Andwhathedoesinthepostseason, there’s noway to put it intowords, howdominatinghewas.Talkaboutaguywhomakesadifferenceinagame.Earlyinhiscareerhewasgettingtwo-inningsaves,soit’slikeyou’replayingseven-inningbaseball[games].

WhenIwasadesignatedhitter,I’dgointotheclubhousebetweeninningstostay looseandwatchvideos.Marianowouldn’tgotothebullpenuntil the laterinnings.We’d start talkingandhewasneveruptight.Hewasaskingmeabouthittersandwhattheythinkaboutin[certain]situations.Hewasalwayslookingforsomethinghecoulduse[tohisadvantage],somethingthatwouldgivehimanedgeonahitter.

Withmost guys if you interrupt their routine they stress out.NotMariano.He’salwaysrelaxed.Helikestostretchandgetamassagebeforethegame.Withmost guys, they keep a routine, like they want their massage at 1:03 p.m. IfMarianowalks inandsomeone isonthe table, itdoesn’tbotherhim.Hewaitsandnobodyfeelsuncomfortable,liketheyaredisruptinghim.

Everydayinbattingpractice,hewouldgoouttocenterfieldtoshagflyballsafter he got done running. He takes shagging fly balls seriously. People don’tknowwhatagreatathleteheis.Wealwaystoldhimhewasourcenterfielderifanyonewentdown.

Weusedto teaseBernieWilliamsthat ifMarianogotboredpitchinghewasgoingtotakeBernie’sjobfromhim.

He’sanincrediblehumanbeing.Idon’tthinktherewilleverbeanybodylikehimagain. It’sasaddaywhenheretires.Webecamereallyclose inNewYorkandIwishhimallthebest.

OzzieGuillenShortstopandManager

PlayingCareerChicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Raysfrom1985to2000


OzzieGuillenfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-12,1extra-basehit,1walk,.250battingaverage,.308on-basepercentage,.333sluggingpercentage

MoCredGuillenstruckoutfacingRiverainthe1999WorldSeries.HewasthemanagerofthedefendingworldchampionWhiteSoxwhenRiveraearnedhis400thcareer

G

savein2006.

OzzieGuillen

Year Date Result1995 7/4 Walk 7/5 Groundout 7/6 Groundout1996 5/3 Flyout 5/12 Single 8/8 Single 8/12 Popout 8/14 Groundout1997 4/19 Groundout 4/26 Groundout 7/17 Fielder’schoice1998 6/22 Double 6/24 Doubleplay1999(Postseason) 10/26 Strikeout

ODBLESSMARIANO.Hegoesoutandhe’s thecloser for two inningssometimes.Youdon’t see that toooften.Marianokeepsdoing the samething he’s been doing for the last 19 years, whatever he’s been in the

league.It’samazingwhathecando.Oneword:HallofFame.Onthefieldandoffthefield,he’saHallofFamer.

Youngplayerslookuptohim.Thewayheis,thewayheperformsonthefieldandthewayhetreatspeople,IthinkMarianoistheperfectbaseballplayer.

I had a great time at theAll-StarGame.We got to see the best closer ever,MarianoRivera.Hehasbrokenmybatbeforeandprobablyhundredsofothersduringhis career. Itwasamazing to seehimgoout like that. I actually shedacoupleoftears.

One of the things I love about this game is that even though we all knowRiveraisthebestever,he’sstillbeenbeatenandwalkedoffon.That’swhythisgameissospecial;youneverknowwhat’sgoingtohappen.

T

ScottHattebergFirstbaseandCatcher

PlayingCareerBostonRedSox,OaklandAthletics,andCincinnatiRedsfrom1995to2008


ScottHattebergfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-13,1runbattedin,2walks,.077battingaverage,.200on-basepercentage,.077sluggingpercentage

MoCredHattebergisaprominentcharacterintheMichaelLewisnovel,Moneyball,duetohishighon-basepercentage.

HINKINGABOUTFACINGMariano Rivera still givesme nightmares.HewastheonecloserthatIeverfacedwhodidn’thavethatlightningstuff.He wasn’t like a black mamba type of snake, he was a constrictor—he

slowlysuckedthelifeoutofyou,andthenthelightswentout.Itdidn’tseemlikeaviolentat-bat,itjustseemedlikeyouhadnochance.

ScottHatteberg

Year Date Result1997 6/1 Single 6/1 Popout 6/2 Flyout 9/16 Lineout 9/16 Flyout2000 6/20 Popout

2001 4/14 Groundout 5/28 Groundout2002 4/24 Groundout 8/9 Groundout2003 5/10 Groundout2004 8/4 Walk Walk2005 5/6 Reachedonerror(2RBI) 5/15 Groundout

Ihaddifferentgradesofsuccessfacinghim—badandworse!Asalefthander,Ijusthopedtosavemybat.Thatwas it. If Ididn’tbreakmybat, itwasaprettygoodat-batforme,andIwashappy.Ididn’tdosquatoffhim.NobodyIknewreally did anything off him.The only guy I ever sawdo anything off himwasMannyRamirez;heseemedtodoagood job facinghim.Other thanManny, Ididn’tseeanybodysniffthatguy.*

Marianojustcheweduplefthanders.Hewasprettydarngoodagainstrighties,butleftiesjusthadnochanceagainstthatcutter.IrememberbeingataFanFestinOakland.KenMachawasourmanager,andpeopleattheFanFestwereaskingquestions. One fan asked me, “Is there any question you’d like to ask yourmanager?”Thefirstquestionthatpoppedintomymindwas,“Whythehelldowekeeppinch-hittinglefthandersagainstMarianoRivera?”Machajustlookedatmeandhelaughed,buthedidn’thaveanyanswerforme.

Iremembergettingonehit,andIbrokemybatin50,000piecesandtheballbarelyslinkedoverintorightfield.Otherthanthat,Iseriouslydon’tthinkIevergot another hit. I choked up, I stood in front of the box, I pulled off, I tookpitches,Iswungearly;Itriedeverything.ReallythebestballIeverhitIthinkwasalinedriveovertheirdugout.Youcouldn’tdoanythingwiththatcutterbutpullit foul.The two times Iwalked, thatwasprobablypartofmynewplanofnotswingingatanything!*

PlayinginBoston,wefacedhimalot.Atthetimewewereprettygood,buttheYankeeswerereallygood.Theygotthebestofusmoreoftenthannot.AsaRedSoxyouwerecompletelybrainwashed,youweretrainedtohatetheYankees,buthe’soneofthoseguyswho[is]hardtohate.Hewassogood,andsoclassy,thatyoucouldn’thatehim.Youreallyrespectedtheguy,obviously,notonlyforhisamazingtalent,butheseemedlikeaqualityguy.Idon’tknowhimatall,buttodowhathedidforsolongonthebigstage,youhavetobeimpressedbyhim.Ifyou’regoingtogo0-for-a-century,he’saprettygoodguytodoitagainst.

MoRespect

ToddHeltonThesluggingfirstbasemanoftheColoradoRockiesfacedRiveraonceinhiscareer,agroundballbacktothepitcher,leadingofftheninthinningofa2-1Yankees’winatYankeeStadium,onJune8,2004.ItwasRivera’s307thcareersave.

ToddHelton

Year Date Result2004 6/8 Groundout

Alotofpitchersthrowacutter,butnobodythrowsonelikeRivera’s.Hiscutterchasesyou.It’sthenastiestthingI’veeverseen.Youknowit’scoming,youadjustforit,andyoustillcan’thitit.Evenwhenyouknowwhatit’sgoingtodo,youcan’tmakeyourbatswing.

Okay,Iwas1-for-13.Ohperfect.Geez,that’sbetterthanIthoughtitwas.ThehitwasearlyinMariano’scareer,anditdidn’tchangemuchafterthat.Nothingchangedmuchwhen it comes toMariano: Same song, same act, same slenderdude, taking themound and throwing the same pitches—the guy is a brokenrecord.Speakingofrecords,Ihatethatsong“EnterSandman.”

DerekJeterShortstop

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeessince1995

CareerStatistics2,602 games, 3,316 hits, 256 home runs, 1,261 runs batted in, .312 batting

H

average,.381on-basepercentage,.446sluggingpercentage

MoCredJeterandRiverahavebeenteammatesontheYankeessince1995andtogetherhelpedtheteamwinfiveWorldSerieschampionshipsin1996,1998,1999,2000,and2009.

EISTHEgreatestcloser,nodisrespecttoanybodyelse.Youknowwhathe’sdoneintheregularseason,andmoreimportantly,whathe’sdoneinthe postseason is unmatched. There are a lot of great closers that have

playedthegame—onceagain,nottobedisrespectful—butIwouldtakeMoovereverybody.

Youcanaddupalltheplayersthateverplayedthegame,andMohasbeenasconsistent as anyone. He’s done it in the regular season, he’s done it in thepostseason,he’sdoneitinspringtraining,he’sdoneitintheminorleagues.He’sdoneiteverywherehe’sbeen.

It goeswithout sayingwhathe’smeant to thisorganization.A lotofpeoplehavebeenspoiled:Yankeesfanshavebeenspoiled;baseball fanswatchinghim;usashisteammates.Wedon’ttakehimforgranted.ButIthinkalotofpeoplemay,becausehecomesin,theyassume[thegameis]over.Theonlytimeyou[inthemedia]talktohimiswhenhedoesn’tcomethrough.We’veallbeenspoiled.Peoplewillrealizeitwhenhe’snolongerhere.

It’s pretty impressive what he’s been able to do. So he deserves all theaccolades he gets. He did something no one’s ever been able to do. Theimpressivething ishe’sdone it in thepostseason, too.Hewants theball inbigsituationsand[is]notafraidofanyone.Hehasalotofconfidenceinhisabilityand it shows. That’s what separates him from everyone else. You won’t seeanyonelikehimagain.

Firstofall,it’snotonepitch.Hethrowsacutter,hethrowsatwo-seamer,andhethrowsafour-seamer.It’sonespeedintermsofhard,butMohasperfectedthefastballandI’mnotsurprisedbyit.I’vebeenplayingwithhimsinceI’vebeen18yearsoldandhe’sbeendoingitsincethen.Nothinghedoessurprisesme.

We’vebeencloseforavery,verylongtime.Ourrelationshipgoesbeyondjuston the field. He’s like a brother. Any time you play with someone that long,there’saconnectionthere.He’sbeentheexactsamepersonhewassincethefirstdayImethim.

I think our personalities are similar, that’swhywe get along sowell.We’re

similarintermsofwhatthegoalis—andthat’stowin.Thegoalistocomehereeverysingledayanddoyourjobandprettymuchstayonanevenkeel.

Iknowhowimportantitistohimtocomehereanddohisjob.Hetakesalotof pride in doing his job and he’s done his job better than anyone else. It’simpressive.Mo’sbeendoingthisforalongtime.He’sdoingthingsthatnoone’severdone.Andyouprobablywon’tseeitagain.

Therearesomanythingsthatwehavebeenthroughtogether.You’retalkingabout21years since theminor leagues.Mowasa starter in theminor leagues.Whenhewascomingoff[elbow]surgery[inAugustof1992]Iusedtocounthispitchesatshort[atClassAGreensboroin1993].Iusedtorunupthereandsay,“Look,man,youarewastingtoomanypitches.Youhavetostartthrowingmorestrikes.”

Hewouldbeon[ashortpitchcount]whenhefirstwascomingback.Andthiswasn’tthedayswheretheyhadpitchcountsonthescoreboard.SoIwouldcounthispitchesatshort.Hewouldsay,“Okay,okay,okay.”

Heworkedhardat everythinghedoes,butheworkedextremelyhardathisrehab,too[fromatornACLin2012].It’snotaneasythingtocomebackfrom.

MoRespect

ChipperJonesThe former switch-hitting third baseman of the Atlanta Braves, who was 1-for-2 with a walk facingRivera in the regular season, and 0-for-4 with twowalks inWorld Series competition, describes thecutter:It’slikeabuzzsaw.Itjusteatsyouup,especiallyifyou’realefthandedhitter.Youknowit’scoming,butthatdoesn’treallyhelpyoumuch.

ChipperJones

Year Date Result1996(Postseason) 10/22 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/23 Walk 10/26 Flyout1998 6/22 Flyout1999 7/16 Walk

Postseason 10/23 Walk 10/26 Strikeout 10/27 Groundout2000 6/4 Single

EricKarrosFirstbase

PlayingCareerLosAngelesDodgers,ChicagoCubs,andOaklandAthleticsfrom1991to2004


EricKarrosfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-2

MoCred

Karroswonthe1992NationalLeague’sRookieoftheYearaward.

EricKarros

Year Date Result2003 6/6 Popout2004 5/4 Groundout

IT’SFUNNYBECAUSEIcreditMarianowithhelpingmeoutearlyinmycareer.

Itwasinspringtrainingin1995.That’swhenwehadthatabbreviatedspringtrainingcomingbacklatebecauseofthestrike[whichstartedinAugust1994andcausedcancelationoftheWorldSeries].Iwascomingoffanaverage1994season—Iwasnotrealgood in ’94—andI

don’tknowwhatI’mgoingtodo[toimprove],soIwastoyingaroundwithmystance. I’m facingMariano, and I’ve got theAndresGalarraga open stance, soopenthatI’mfacingthepitcher.AtthetimeMarianoisayoungguy,he’ssettingupfor[John]Wetteland,buthe’salsoastarterthen,too.

SoI’vegotthatopenstance,andMarianorunsafastballinsideand—BOOM—I get hit right in the sternum. I’m hit right in the sternum with one ofMariano’sbestfastballsandI’mgaspingforair,Icouldn’tbreatheforanything.

ThebottomlineisthatIclosedthestance,nomoreopenstanceforme.AndthatyearIhadoneofmybeststatisticalyears,IgotsomeMostValuablePlayer[award]votes,andIplayedafewmoreyearsafterthat.SoIcreditMarianoformakingmerealizethere’sgoingtobenoopenstanceforme.

MoRespect

RyanKleskoThelefthandedhittingfirstbasemanoftheAtlantaBravesfacedRiverainthefinalinningofthe1999WorldSeries.RiverabrokeKlesko’sbatsthreetimesinaspanoffourpitches,generatingtwofoulballsandaweakpopouttosecondbaseasthewoodshattered.

Thatpitchisjustwicked.Ihadneverseenanythinglikeit.Youcan’thelpbutlaugh.Icouldn’tbelieveit.Itwaslikea97milesperhourWiffleBallthathasnorotation.ItoldChipper[Jones],Ifhebreaksonemoreofmybats,I’mgoingtohavenoneleft.

CoreyKoskieThirdbase

PlayingCareer

I

MinnesotaTwins,TorontoBlueJays,andMilwaukeeBrewersfrom1998to2006


CoreyKoskiefacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)0-for-6,0extra-basehits,2walks,2strikeouts,.000battingaverage,.250on-basepercentage,.000sluggingpercentage

MoCredRiveraretiredKoskiewithonepitchtoearntheshortestsaveofhiscareer,onAugust7,2005,atToronto.*

CoreyKoskie

Year Date Result2000 7/28 Walk 9/1 Groundout 9/3 Strikeout(Swinging)2001 5/9 Walk2003(Postseason) 10/2 Flyout2004(Postseason) 10/5 Groundout 10/6 Double(1RBI) 10/9 Popout2005 4/21 Flyout 8/7 Flyout 9/16 Lineout 9/25 Strikeout(Swinging)

ONLYHADSIX[regularseason]at-batsinmycareeragainstRivera,butitfeels like I facedhimmore. I did facehim in thepostseason, too;maybe itseemslikemoreat-batsbecausethey’realwaysinbigsituations.Most everything I hit off Rivera was a broken bat blooper or an infield

dribbler.Igotonesolidhitoffhim.IwaswiththeTwinsandwewereplayingtheYankeesinthe2004AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries.Wewereuponegameto

none[after]JohanSantanapitchedaphenomenalgameinYankeeStadium.**InGameTwowe’redownbytworunswhenRiveracomesintothegameinthetopof the eighth inning with runners on first and second base. Justin Morneausinglesandwescoredonerun.Sonowwe’redownbyonerun.Therearerunnersonfirstandthirdwithoneout,andIcameuptofaceRivera.

Irememberitbeingalongat-bat.Hethrowsmecutteraftercutteraftercutter.Butthenwith[threeballsand]twostrikeshethrewasinkeraway.Iwasabletohittheballtheotherwayanditendedupbouncingovertheleft-fieldwallfora[ground-rule] double. The runner on third scored and the runner on first[pinch-runnerLuisRivas]wouldhavescorediftheballhitthewallandstayedinplay.Hadtheballgoneanothersixinchesandhitthebaseofthewallwewouldhave taken the lead.But instead, theballhit thegroundandbouncedover thefence,andtherunner[whohadstartedout]onfirstgotcalledbacktothirdbase.Wehadnowtiedthegameandhadrunnersonsecondandthirdwithoneout.Riverastruckoutthenextguy,andafterthatgotabroken-batgroundballtothesecondbasemantogetoutof[thejam].Wewentintoextrainnings,andinthetopofthetwelfthinning,wescoreandgoahead.ButinthebottomofthetwelfththeYankeesscoredacoupleofrunstowinthegame.Itwasagreatgame;itjustdidn’tgoourway.*

YouknewwhatpitchMarianoRiverawasgoingtothrow;acutterthatbreaksin to lefthanded hitters. I still had trouble hitting it. You start to swing at thepitchand thenext thingyouknow, theball explodesyourbat. I triedmultiplethingshopingtofigureoutawaygetthebarrel[ofthebat]ononeofhispitches.I tried choking up, and then I tried using a shorter bat.Nothingworked.Mynormal bat was thirty-four and a half inches long and [weighed] thirty-twoounces.Butagainstlefthandedpitchers,andknuckleballerslikeTimWakefield,andMarianoRivera—againstpitcherswhereyouwanttowaitaslongaspossiblebeforeyoucommittoswinging—Iusedashorterbatthatwasthirty-threeinchesandthirty-oneounces.

Ashorterbatforcedmetokeepmyfrontshoulderclosedandlettheballtraveldeeper.Theideawastowait,andwiththeshorter,lighterbatIfeltmyswingwasquicker.Itwasagreatbat.ThenIuseditonceagainstRiveraandonthesecondpitch, he broke it.Ninety percent of the timehe’d break your bat.That’swhywhenyou’refacingRiveranoteammateeverletyouusehisbat.

I have an autographedbaseball collection, and since I have trouble asking apitcherforanautographmostoftheballshavebeensignedbyhitters.Idon’task

pitchersbecausethey’retryingtotakemoneyoutofmypocket.Idon’tliketosaytoapitcher:“Ithinkyou’reawesome,canyousignthisballforme.”

ButoneofthepitchersIdidaskwasRivera.He’saclassguyandtheultimateprofessional.

MoRespect

KevinKouzmanoffThejourneymanthirdbasemanwas0-for-1inhiscareerfacingRivera.

KevinKouzmanoff

Year Date Result2010 4/21 Flyout

Yougoupagainsthimandeliminateeverythingexceptthecutteranditstilldoesn’twork.Hechallengedyouwiththatpitchandyouthinkthepitchisrightthere.Youswing,andit’snotthereanymore.

Biggestthingisthathenotonlyhasthatspecialabilitybuthehasbeenabletostayhealthyforsuchalongperiodoftime.He’sbeenabletoregularlytaketheballandgetthejobdone.

TinoMartinezFirstbase

PlayingCareerSeattleMariners,NewYorkYankees,St.LouisCardinals,andTampaBayRaysfrom1990to2005

CareerStatistics2,023 games, 1,925 hits, 339 home runs, 1,271 runs batted in, .271 batting

H

average,.344on-basepercentage,.471sluggingpercentage

TinoMartinezfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-11,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,4strikeouts,.182battingaverage,.182on-basepercentage,.182sluggingpercentage

MoCredMartinezteamedwithRiveratowinfourWorldSerieschampionshipswiththeYankeesin1996,1998,1999,and2000.

ESHUTMEdown[whenIwaswithSeattle]. Iwasalwayshappywhentheytookhimoutofthegame.Ididn’tknowwhohewasatfirst,orhowgoodhewasgoingtobe.Whenhecameoutofagamewealwaystalked

aboutwhatkindofgreatstuff thatguyhad.And,obviously,hebecameagreatcloser.*

Then tobe a teammateofhis for all thoseyearswas incredible.He’s a totalprofessional. The guywas the best closer ever, and he does it with one pitch.WithoutMo,we’dhaveone,maybetwo,WorldSeries[wins],butwewouldn’thavefour,that’sforsure.

The bestmemory I have of him is in ’96, the yearwewon our firstWorldSeries.Hepitchedtheseventhandeighthinningofeverypostseasongame,intheplayoffsandWorldSeries. Itwas the first timeI’veeverbeenona teamwhereaftersixinningsifwehavetheleadthegamewasover.AnditwasallbecauseofMo. Every postseason game, Mo closed out the seventh and eighth and wasdominating,and[John]Wettelandcameinandclosedouttheninth.Ifwewereahead after the sixth inning,we knew the gamewas over, and the other teamknewit,too.

TinoMartinez

Year Date Result1995 6/11 Groundout 6/12 Single 8/25 Strikeout(Swinging)

8/26 Flyout 9/5 Flyout 9/6 Strikeout(Swinging)Postseason 10/4 Groundout 10/5 Flyout2003 6/15 Doubleplay2004 4/14 Groundout 5/28 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/9 Single(1RBI) 7/20 Strikeout(Swinging)

It’sfunny,backthen,welovedWetteland,andhedidagreatjobforus.Butwealways askedMo if he could pitch the seventh, eighthandninth!Hewas thatdominant. He shut guys down. It’s comforting to have him on your team,becausewhen he comes in, the other teamknows the game is over. It’s a badfeelingforthem,andagreatfeelingforyou.Hewasaluxuryforustohave.

Hedominatesthegamebuthedoesn’tshowanybodyup.Heclosesgamestherightway.Youdon’t see any emotion at all. That’swhat I love about him themost.He’llstrikeoutthreeguys,orbreaktheirbats,thenshakehands,becauseIdidmy job, and thegame isover.He acted thatway, like it’shis job, shuttingteams down, andwinning ball games.He’s a good example for young kids towatch,andotherclosersaswell.Hehasthetypeofattitudethatyoucan’thatehim.Youdon’tthink:“Ican’tstandthisguy,let’sgethim.”

Youdon’t feel thatway at all because of thewayhehandles himself on themound.Instead,youthink:“Ohboy,herecomesMariano.He’sgotgreatstuff.Herewegoagain.”

He’sagreatteammate,notjustdoinghisownjob,butthewayheaffectstherestof theteam,aswell.Heteachesthebullpenguys,day inanddayout.He’salwaystalkingtotheyoungguysthatcomeup,teachingthemhowtogoabouttheirbusiness,howtoprepare,howtoworkoutintheweightroom,howtogetready for thegame.Hedidn’t just talk topitchers;hewouldalsobe talking tohitters.

I’mgoingtorememberhowfunnyitwastoseeall thesebiggrownmen,sixfootfiveinchestalland250pounds,hittingballsoffthehandleoftheirbatthatbarelygetoutoftheinfield.ButI’malsogoingtothinkabouthowwe’llnever,everseeanotherguylikehimagain.

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LouMerloniInfield

PlayingCareerBostonRedSox,SanDiegoPadres,ClevelandIndians,andLosAngelesAngelsfrom1998to2006


LouMerlonifacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)0-for-0,1walk,1.000on-basepercentage

MoCredMerloniisoneoffifteenplayerswhowalkedintheironlycareerat-batfacingRivera.

GUESSTHEMOST importantstat inbaseball ison-basepercentage,right?SoIdrewmyeight-pitchwalk.Listen,IhadmyonemomentagainstMo,andthenIgotoutofthere.Itwasbeautiful!*

LouMerloni

Year Date Result2003 8/30 Walk

Youknewyouwereintrouble[whenMocameinthegame].Thecompetitivesideofyousaid,“We’regoingtogetthisguytoday.”Butthebottomlineis,moretimesthannot,you’rewalkingbackintothatlockerroomknowingyoujustlostagame.

He’spitched eighteenyears and there’snever ablip in the radar.You could

make the case he’s themost dominant pitcher of all time.Hewould shut youdown.Itwasonepitch,thecutter.Butit’seighteenyearsofperfectlocation.Hethrowsnothinginthemiddleoftheplate.He’llpaintdownandintoalefty,orhe’llpaintawaytoalefty.Thenawaytoarighty,or[hethrows]atyourhipandit’llcomebackandhit the insidecorner.Everysinglepitch isn’t thesame.Thecuttervaries;thistimemaybeit’salittlecutter,thenexttime,maybehecutsitalittlebitmore.

Hehas[ninety-six]appearancesinthepostseason—andin[fifty-eight]gameshewentmultipleinnings.Inotherwords,ifyourteamgottotheseventhinning [trailing], you started the eighth inning and you knewMariano Riverawas out in the bullpen sitting on your neck. You either get to somebody realquickorhewascomingintoshutthedoor,andsoyoudidn’tlikeyourchances.Whenyou lookat the success theYankeeshad, ifyouaskme if therewasonepersonwhowasmostresponsible—MarianoRivera.

He’sbeenspecial.Irememberplayingagainsthimbackin2002and2003,andthinking,multipleappearances,twoinningsclosing,howmanyyearscanhedothis?Thatwasin’02or’03,andherewearein2013.It’samazinghe’sbeenabletowithstanditforsomanyyears.

DougMientkiewiczFirstbase

PlayingCareerMinnesota Twins, BostonRed Sox,NewYorkMets, KansasCity Royals,NewYorkYankees,PittsburghPirates,andLosAngelesDodgersfrom1998to2009

CareerStatistics1,087 games, 899hits, 66home runs, 405 runs batted in, .271batting average,.360on-basepercentage,.405sluggingpercentage

DougMientkiewiczfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

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0-for-5

MoCred

MientkiewiczspentaseasonwiththeYankeesasRivera’steammatein2007.

Youwere0-for-7againstRiverainyourcareer,includingthepostseason,makingyouoneofelevenbatterswhoareexactly0-for-7againstMariano.

DougMientkiewicz

Year Date Result1999 5/5 Groundout 5/6 Groundout2001 5/9 Doubleplay2003(Postseason) 10/2 Groundout2000(Postseason) 10/4 Lineout2004(Postseason) 10/17 Sacrificebunt2006 4/11 Lineout 5/28 Groundout

O,IHAVEcompanythen?It’snotjustme?Awesome.DidyoueverchangeyourapproachfacingRivera?WhenIgottoBostonin2004,IstartedusingBillyMueller’sbats.Ididn’t

wanttobreakmygoodones—mygamers,I’dcall them—becauseIknewIwasgoingtobreakthem.

YoupinchhitjustafterBillMuellertiedthescorewithaninth-inningsingleinGameFourofthe2004AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries.Toldtosacrifice,youlaiddownabunt,butthepitchhityourfinger,andtheumpiresshouldhavecalleda foulball. Itwas so cold, and ithurt sobadgoingdown the line that Iwasn’tgoingtoshowit.Ifit’safoulball,Ihavetofacehimagain.Iwaslike,Noway.I’mjustrunningtofirst.Idon’tcareifmynailisfallingoffandI’mbleedingallovertheplace.IfIhadtodothatagain,Idon’tthinkthat’shumanlypossible.

DoyouhaveanyadviceforabatterfacingRiveraforthefirsttime?Ifyouswingatthefirstoneandfoulitoff,donotevenattempttoswingatthe

secondbecauseit’sgoingtobetheonethat’sbasicallycalledthe“neckball.”It’stheonethatridesupandinonyou.Andifyouswing—notonlydoyoumissit—yougethitintheAdam’sapple,andyouembarrassyourfamily.

KevinMillarFirstbase

PlayingCareerFloridaMarlins,BostonRedSox,andTorontoBlueJaysfrom1998to2009


KevinMillarfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)6-for-21,2extra-basehits,1homerun,2runsbattedin,1strikeout,.286battingaverage,.348on-basepercentage,.476sluggingpercentage

MoCredTheYankeeswerethreeoutsawayfromsweepingtheRedSoxinthe2004AmericanLeagueChampionshipSerieswhenMillar,leadingoffthebottomoftheninthinning,drewabaseonballsfacingRivera.MillarwasreplacedbypinchrunnerDaveRoberts,whostolesecondbaseandscoredthegame-tyingrunonBillMueller’ssingle.TheRedSoxwentontowinthatgameand,improbably,theseries,beforesweepingtheCardinalsintheWorldSeriestocaptureBoston’sfirstchampionshipin86years.

KevinMillar

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Year Date Result1999 6/11 Fielder’schoice2001 7/14 Double2003 5/27 Homerun(1RBI) 5/28 Fielder’schoice 7/6 Flyout 7/25 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/30 Fielder’schoice 9/7 SinglePostseason 10/11 Flyout 10/14 Fielder’schoice 10/16 Popout2004 4/24 Foulout 7/1 Doubleplay 7/24 Single(1RBI) 9/17 Walk(Hitbypitch)Postseason 10/12 Popout 10/13 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/17 Walk2005 5/27 Single 9/11 Single2006 8/4 Flyout2007 8/15 Groundout 9/19 Flyout 9/28 Walk(Hitbypitch)2008 5/22 Lineout 5/27 Groundout 7/29 Flyout 8/22 Popout2009 5/14 Groundout

DON’TEVERGETtiredofhearingfromRedSoxNationabout2004.It’snotdailythatI’maskedabout2004,butitstillhappensallthetime.

Red Sox fans still come up and say, “Thank you guys for getting thatmonkeyofftheNation’sback,”andYankeesfanscomeupandsay,“Millar,youbum, we’re sick of hearing about 2004,” though they don’t always put it thatpolitely.

ThatwholeSerieschangedeverything inBoston forever.TheRedSoxcouldwintwentymoreWorldSeries,andthatteamwillstillberememberednotonlyforwhatwedid,buthowwedidit.

WhatDaveRoberts[did]wasapivotalmomentinchangingthehistoryofthefranchise:Hecameoffthebenchonafreezingnight,hadtodiveback[intofirstbase]acoupleoftimesasRiverathrewover,andthenhestolethebaseby,what,thelengthofahand?Itwasclose,man.Itcouldn’thavebeencloser.Marianois

toughashecktostealon,and[Jorge]Posadamadeagreatthrowwith[Derek]Jeternearlystealinganoutwiththatsweeptagthathedoes.Davedeservesallthecreditintheworldforpullingthatoff,inthatcircumstance,againstthoseguys,withallofRedSoxNationonhisshoulders.

Davehadagreatcareer,wasaregularwiththePadresandGiants,andyetit’sthis one amazing play that has given him a place in baseball history that willalwaysbehis.ThenBillMuellerrapsasingleupthemiddleoffRivera,whowasandstill isdeathonleftyhittersevenmorethanrighties.IfBilldoesn’tgetthathit,maybeDavegetsstrandedatsecond,andhistoryisdifferent.[Mueller]wastheunsunghero,anditwasn’tthefirsttimehebeatRivera.

Irememberallthedetailslikeithappenedyesterday.It’sfunny,butIactuallyenjoyedfacingRivera.Iwasprobablytheonlyone,butI’malittlecrazy.Buthe’safastballpitcher,andcomesrightatyou,andIwasafastballhitter,soIalwaysfeltlikehewasgoingtochallengeme.Honestly,Iwasliterallythinking,man,Icouldhitahomerunhere.Hewastryingtopoundmein,andifhecameintoofarorleftthatcutteroutovertheplate,IwasthinkingIwasgoingtohomer.

Ihadaprettygoodideawhattheyweregoingtotrytodo—comeupandinandgetmetochaseoneoutofthestrikezone.Itwasaprettygoodapproachontheirpart,becauseIcouldn’tresistthosehighheaters.Andballfourreallywasn’tthatclose,whichsortofsurprisedme,becauseonceitgottothreeballsIthoughtthey’dcomeaftermea littlemore.It’snot likeIwasManny[Ramirez]orPapi[David Ortiz] and needed to be pitched around. I’m proud that it was adisciplinedat-bat,though,becausewhatweneededwasabaserunner.Thoughahomerwouldhavebeenprettycool,too!

Forme,personally,Marianowasn’tthetoughestpitcherIeverfaced,becausestuffwise,there’sotherpitchersouttherethatgavemeahardertime.LikeRoyHalladay, with a 95 [miles per hour fastball] and a curveball and cutter, andAndyPettitte, I couldn’tgetaballoutof the infieldagainsthim foryears.ButMarianoRiverainthatspotinthegame,yes,he’sextremelytough,becauseyouonly get to see himonce. Starters you get to see three or four times.MarianoRiveracame inandhehadelectric stuff,hehasanelectric arm.Everythinghethrewwasverysmoothandeasy;itjusthoppedoutofhishandat95[m.p.h.]inhisprime.*

Heistrulythemostunbelievableprofessional;he’sclassy,justagreathumanbeing. When he’s on that mound he’s the best this game has ever seen. Todominate this gamewith one pitch, the fastball-cutter, is unbelievable.He hasimpeccable location.Wherever [Yankees’ catcher Jorge]Posadaput that glove,

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Rivera hit it. If [Posada] was setting up inside to a right-handed batterunderneaththehands,thatballwaslookinglikeitwasgoingtohityourightinyour ribs at 95 [m.p.h.]—that made you freeze as a hitter, and then the ballwouldcomearoundandcatchtheinsidepartoftheplate.

Marianohastheabilitytoputthatballontheoutsidecorner,buttheballstartsinthemiddle[oftheplate]whereitlookslikeastrike,andnextthingyouknow,asaright-handedbatter,you’reswingingandyou’rehittingtheballontheendofyourbat.Andhesawsofflefthandersatwill.Hiscontrolwasimpeccable.WhatmakesMarianoRiverasogreatisnotonlythathedominatesthegamewiththatonepitch, the cutter, but alsohis control.Heputs thatballwherehewants toeverysingletimehethrewit.

BillMuellerInfield

PlayingCareerSanFranciscoGiants,ChicagoCubs,BostonRedSox,andLosAngelesDodgersfrom1996to2006


BillMuellerfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)5-for-11,1extra-basehit,1homerun,3runsbattedin,1walk,2strikeouts,.455battingaverage,.500on-basepercentage,.727sluggingpercentageMoCredMuellerhitarun-scoringsingleoffRiveratotiethescoreintheninthinningofGameFourofthe2004AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries.

HAT’SWHYYOU’REtalkingtome.Itisshocking.That’showdominanthe’s been over the years, especially in the playoffs.He’s one of themostspecial guys in the history of the game. I was never comfortable against

him.Ineverfeltgoodagainsthim.IneverfeltlikeIhadtheadvantage.*

Iwentuptheretryingtokeepthingsassimpleaspossible,[tomake]apositiveout, really. It’s sodifficult to thinkyou’regoing tohave success against suchagreatpitcher.Itwasn’tanythingmorethanthat.Hewassodominant.Tohavethatsuccess,Iguess,IcouldsayI’dratherbeluckythangood.

BillMueller

Year Date Result2003 5/21 Groundout 5/28 Single(1RBI) 7/6 Single 8/30 Strikeout(Swinging)Postseason 10/14 Groundout 10/16 Groundout 10/16 Groundout2004 4/18 Groundout 4/24 Popout 7/24 Homerun(2RBI) 9/24 GroundoutPostseason 10/12 Doubleplay 10/17 Single(1RBI) 10/18 Fielder’schoice2005 4/5 Single 4/6 Walk 5/27 Strikeout(Looking) 7/17 Single

Ispecial-orderedahalf-dozenRawlingsbatsthatwereshorterandlighterthanmyusual[LouisvilleSlugger]model.IsavedthemforMariano.Icouldn’tgettooattachedtothem,either,becausetherewasagoodchancehewasgoingtobreakthem. If for some reason thosebatsdidn’t come in, Ihad to chokeup [onmyregular bat]. I just used the lightest bat I had. More than anything, it wasprobablyaboostformymentalconfidence.

MuellerTimeBillMueller [pronouncedMiller] facedRivera a total of eighteen times in his career,with all at-batscomingduring theheightof the intenseYankees–RedSoxrivalry from2003 through2005. Including

postseason,Muellerbatted.353againstRivera.Hewas6-for-17withonewalk.MuellerdeliveredtwoofthemostmemorablehitsRiveraallowedinhiscareer.Mueller hit a walk-off, two-run home run against Rivera for an 11-10 Boston comeback win at

Fenway Park, on July 24, 2004.Mueller’s long ball was the thirty-ninth career home run allowed byRivera,andthesecondwalk-offhomerun(BillSelby,ClevelandIndians,July14,2002).

Then, with the Red Sox on the brink of elimination inGame Four of the 2004 American LeagueChampionshipSeries,Mueller’sninth-inningsingleoffRiverascoredDaveRobertswiththetyingrun.

Rivera has appeared in ninety-six postseason games, andMueller is one of threemen to deliver agame-tyinghitagainstRiverainaYankees’postseasonloss.SandyAlomarJr.(ClevelandIndians,1997A.L.D.S.,GameFour)andTonyWomack(ArizonaDiamondbacks,2001WorldSeries,GameSeven)aretheothers.

Now,Iworkasascoutforthe[LosAngeles]Dodgers.Ifyouaskedmetofileareportonhimitwouldbeaneasyonetowrite,that’sforsure.PerennialAll-Star.Stud.

LyleOverbayFirstbase

PlayingCareerArizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, PittsburghPirates,AtlantaBraves,andNewYorkYankeessince2001


LyleOverbayfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-12,0extra-basehits,4strikeouts,.167battingaverage,.167on-basepercentage,.167sluggingpercentage

MoCredOverbaywasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesin2013.

SHISTEAMMATE,nowtheonlythingIhavetoworryaboutisgettingoutofthe way of a broken bat! I see [opposing batters] go through what I went

Athrough,andIdon’twishthatuponanybody. It’sa luxurynothavingtoworryaboutthatcutteranymore.It’sverynicetobeonMariano’sside.It’sexcitingtohearthatsong“EnterSandman”andknowthegameisgoingtobeover,becausenow,I’monthewinningside.

He’sveryconfident,yethe’salsoveryquiet.Youcanseehehasapresencethatcanbeverydominant.He’sthereforeveryone.HetakescareoftheyoungLatinoplayers.Hehelpsouttheyoungpitchers,too.Notalotofguyshavetimetohelp,or want to, but Mariano is willing to spend time in the bullpen and discuss[pitching].Lookwhathe’sdoneforDavidRobertson,whohastakenadvantage[ofMariano’stutelage]andnowhe’sthrowingacutter,too.

LyleOverbay

Year Date Result2006 4/19 Strikeout(Looking)2007 5/30 Groundout 7/16 Strikeout(Looking) 9/12 Single 9/21 Strikeout(Looking)2008 4/1 Strikeout(Looking) 4/3 Fielder’schoice 6/4 Groundout 8/29 Fielder’schoice2010 7/4 Single 8/4 Groundout 9/28 Groundout

Mariano’scutterisdifferent.It’sweird,howmuchhiscutterbreaksinthelastfour feet. You swing, and the ball ends up being another four inches fartherinside than you expected, and your bat snaps in two pieces. Itwas a constantbattle to make adjustments. I would cheat by stepping in the bucket, then Ibackedoffawayfromtheplateanddovein,othertimesI’deliminatetheinsidepitch.Ieventriedchokinguponmybat.Nothingworked.Ialwaysgotjammed.Ithoughtaboutturningmybataround!MaybeIshouldhavetriedholdingthebatbythebarrel,becauseIhititoffthehandleeverytime!

WhenIwaswithTorontowefacedtheYankeesalotbecausewewereinthe

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samedivision. I remember one hit [helped us] tie a ballgame [when]weweredown one run. That was the only at-bat that I felt I had a chance to connectbecause, that day, his cutterwasn’t cutting like usual andhe didn’t have goodvelocity, either.Heapparentlyhadonebadday in eighteenyears. It’s amazingthathecan[throw]justonepitchforeighteenyearsandnothavetoadjustlikeeveryoneelseinthisgame.Itdoesn’tmakesense.*

FacingMarianoRiverawasnoeasytask.Notonlyarehispitchesdeceptive,hislocation isconsistent.That’swhyhe’s stilldominating,becauseof location.Hepitchesup and in, rightunder yourhands for a lefty, ordownand awayon alefty,anddownandinonarighty.Hecanhitthe[catcher’s]gloveeverytime.

DustinPedroiaSecondbase

PlayingCareerBostonRedSoxsince2006


DustinPedroiafacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-12,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,3walks,5strikeouts,.083battingaverage,.250on-basepercentage,.083sluggingpercentage

MoCredPedroia,hitlessinhisfirst13at-batsagainstRivera,finallybrokethroughwithagroundballsingleupthemiddleintheninthinningofa4-1YankeeswinatYankeeStadium,onMay31,2013.ItwasRivera’s627thcareersave.

E’SNOFUN tohitagainst.Hey, I’mstillnotsold it’shis lastyear.He’sdealing.

Mariano is first-class.There’s a reasonwhy theYankeeshavewon as

much as they have and been so successful. It’s because of the way they carrythemselves,thewaytheyprepare.He’saHallofFameplayerandperson.

The All-Star Game was awesome. I’ll never forget that. I was just standingrighttherewatching.That’soneofthecoolestthingsI’veseenplayingbaseballinmylife.Itlookedlikehewaskindofuncomfortablebutitwasprettycool.Ihadgoosebumpsthewholetime.I’msurealotofpeopledid.

DustinPedroia

Year Date Result2007 4/27 Walk 5/23 Strikeout(Looking) 8/29 Groundout 9/16 Walk2008 7/6 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/25 Groundout 9/28 Strikeout(Swinging)2009 4/24 Strikeout(Looking) 9/26 Strikeout(Swinging)2010 4/6 Flyout 4/7 Groundout 5/18 Fielder’schoice2011 8/7 Sacrificefly(1RBI)2013 4/4 Walk 5/31 Single 8/18 Groundout

Thenextinning,he’swasjuststandingthereontherailandIwasrightthere,andhesaid,“ThatwasoneofthecoolestthingsI’veeverseen,”andIwas like,“Coolestthingyou’veseen?”Justgettingachancetotalktohimforalittlewhileisawesome.Hesaid,“Enjoyit.Itgoesbyfast.”He’safirst-classguy.

Hedeserveseverything.Whathe’sdoneoverthecourseofhiscareerisprettyspecial.

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MarkReynoldsThirdbaseandFirstbase

PlayingCareerArizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and New YorkYankeessince2007


MarkReynoldsfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-8,0extra-basehits,5strikeouts,.125battingaverage,.125on-basepercentage,.125sluggingpercentage

MoCredReynoldswasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesin2013.

MarkReynolds

Year Date Result2007 6/12 Strikeout(Swinging)2010 6/23 Strikeout(Swinging)2011 4/24 Strikeout(Looking) 7/31 Flyout 8/29 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/5 Single2012 4/11 Groundout2013 6/4 Strikeout(Swinging)

URE,IREMEMBER the first time facingMariano. Itwasmyrookieyear.I’m23yearsold.IgoupthereandI’m[thinking],I’mgoingtositonacutterawayandseewhathappens.

SoIgetupontheplate,hethrowsmeafront-doorcutter,andIjumpoutoftheway,butit’scalledastrike.ThenIbackofftheplate,andIguesshenoticesit,because he throwsme a cutter away, another called strike. Now I’m just like,“Aw,crap.”AndthenhethrowsanothercutterawayandIswingandmiss.*

Iwaslike,Well,IguessI’minthebigleagues.Thisguy’sprettygood.

KevinSeitzerThirdbase

PlayingCareerKansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and ClevelandIndiansfrom1986to1997


KevinSeitzerfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-6,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,2strikeouts,.500battingaverage,.429on-basepercentage,.500sluggingpercentage

MoCredSeitzer,wholedtheAmericanLeaguewith207hitsasarookiein1987,witnessedSandyAlomarJr.’sfamoushomeruninthe1997postseason.

KevinSeitzer

Year Date Result1995 8/1 Foulout

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9/26 Single1996 4/17 Single 7/4 Strikeout(Looking) 7/20 Single1997 6/27 Strikeout(Looking) 6/29 Sacrificefly(1RBI)

YLASTSEASONinthebigleagueswasin1997withCleveland.IwasinthedugoutwhenSandyAlomarJr.hitthatclutchhomerunoffMariano.Ourbencherupted.Obviously,wewereecstatic.Thatwouldbeanormal

reactionnomatterwho’spitching.Whetherit’sMarianoorJoeNobodyonthemound,ahit thatbig, in that situation, in suchabiggame, isdefinitelyprettycool.

Youhavetokeepeverythinginperspective.Marianowasn’tyetthedominantforcehe’dbecome;hewas justgettinghimself establishedasa closer. Still, I’msureSandyfeelsprettygoodabouthimself.Forme,itwasjustasbigadealthenas it isnow,notbecauseofwhoMarianobecame,butbecauseofthetimingofwhenthehomerunhappened,inareallybiggame,inanimportantspot.*

WhenIfirstfacedMarianoRivera[in1995]hethrewafour-seamfastball.Theballhadgoodlife,withalittleskiptoit,butitwasn’tabigdealbecauseyousawtheballrealgoodoutofhishand.Then,thenextyear,allofasudden,he’sgotthecutter.Irememberfacinghimforthefirsttimewhenhethrewthecutter,andIsaidtomyself,“Ohcrap.”

Youneed intensemental training tohit thecutterbecauseyouhave to trickyourbrain.Youreyesseetheballatacertainspot,andthat’sthespotyouswingat,buttheballisnottherebythetimecontacthappens.Youhavetotellyourself,Seeithere,buthit itthere.Mariano’scommandofthecutterwasexcellent.Hecouldputtheballwhereverhewanted;that’swhatmakesthepitchsuchagoodweapon forhim.Hebasicallycanmake theplate feel like it’s three feetwide—andnobattercancoverthatmuchdistance.

Ididn’treallychangemygameplanagainstMarianooragainstanybody.Mygame is hitting the ball up the middle, and taking the outside pitch to theopposite field. Itmakesme feel good [to learn] Iwas 3 for 6 against him, butstrikingouttwiceinsixplateappearancesisextremelyhighformebecauseIwasacontacthitter.TheRBIwasprobablyabrokenbatblooperinagamethatdidn’tmean anything and hewas just getting in some extrawork because he hadn’tthrownforafewdays.[Laughs.]Obviouslytheguyisthebestofalltimeandhe’sgoingtobeafirstballotHallofFamer.He’stheultimateprofessional.Itmakes

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mefeelprettygoodthatIgottoplayagainstsomebodyofthatcaliber.

BillSelbyInfield

PlayingCareerBostonRedSox,ClevelandIndians,andCincinnatiRedsfrom1996to2003

CareerStatistics198games,96hits,11homeruns,48runsbatted in, .223battingaverage, .279on-basepercentage,.360sluggingpercentage

BillSelbyfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-2,1extra-basehit,1homerun,4runsbattedin,.500battingaverage,.500on-basepercentage,2.000sluggingpercentage

MoCredSelbyhitawalk-offgrandslamhomerunoffRiveratobeattheYankeesonJuly14,2002;itwasthefirstwalk-offRiveraallowedinhiscareer.

BillSelby

Year Date Result2002 7/12 Groundout 7/14 Homerun(4RBI)

OU DON’T HAVE to ask me what was the highlight of my career!Wheneversomebodyhitsawalk-offhomerunoffMariano,I’llgetsomanytextsmyphoneblowsup.Friendssay,“IsawyournameonSportsCenter

onsomelistaboutMarianoRivera.”

Itwassuchasurrealmoment,andit’slastedalongtime.Istillgettore-liveitbecause a lot of people ask me about it. At the time when it happened, I’mthinking,wowI justhitahomerunthatwonthegame.Butnowthat thedusthadcleared,anditturnsoutthatwasthefirstwalk-offhomerunMarianoevergave up, I’m forever linked with the greatest closer of all time. Some peoplemighthaveanegoandwanttotalkaboutitallthetime,butIjusthavetolaugh,because he’s still playing and I’ve been a coach [at Northwest MississippiCommunityCollege]forthepasteightyears.

MymindstartedworkingwhileIwaswalkingtotheplate.IfacedMarianoforthe first time twonights before.The first at-batwasnothingdramatic like thenextone.Ipinch-hitwiththegameonthe lineandgroundedouttofirstbase.You don’t need an advance scouting report for Mariano. It’s not a secret. Ifyou’realefthandedbatterlikeme,he’sgoingtopoundyouinsideandbreakyourbat.Facinghimtwonightsbeforehelpedme.Igottoseehowhisballmovesinagamesituation.HiscutterisalittledifferentthanalotofcuttersI’vefaced;ithadaridingeffecttoit,itappearedtorise.Itwaslikea95milesperhoursliderthatwentup—it’shardtoexplain.Afterthefirstat-bat,Ispoketoourhittingcoach,EddieMurray,abouttheapproachtohave,andhesuggestedIchokeupandgetofftheplatealittlebit,totrytogetinsideoftheball,andthat’swhatItriedtodo.SoIwasseeing thesameguyI sawtwonightsbefore,but theapproachI triedworkedbetter.*

Igotthecounttotwoballsandnostrikesrightoutofthegate.Iwasthinkingthebasesareloaded,awalktiesthegame,andsoI’mgoingtotakeapitch,whichisastrike.Whenthecountgottotwoandtwo,Ididn’twanttotakeabigswingandgetjammed.Ihitalinedrivedowntheright-fieldline,butitwentfoulbyafootortwo.Irememberwalkingbacktothebatter’sbox,thinkingIjustsquaredup that cutter, a lotofpeople in that situationwouldhavebeenupsetbecausethatwastheirchance.I toldmyself toslowdown,slowdown.It’sstill twoandtwo—it’s an even count—so get yourmind right back to thinking aboutwhatyouneedtodo.HestartedhismotionandIwasthinking:“Getyourhandsinsidetheballandlethimdothework.”

Then baseball happened. That’s a saying I like to use—baseball happened—becauseyoucanneverfigureoutthisgame.Thewindwasblowinginthatday.Ihit it pretty good, but I hit it really high. I put my head down and startedrunning.Ithought,“Godifyouwantittobeahomerun,pleaseletitbeahomerun”; and [the ball] kept carrying and carrying. I was running around secondbaseand[Derek]Jeterwaswalkingoffthefield.Irememberhimlookingbackat

mewithalittlegrin,andIkeptrunningaroundthebasesuntilIgotmobbedbymyteammatesathomeplate.**

Thatwas theonlywalk-offhit Ieverhad in themajor leagues,and theonlygrandslamIhit inthemajors.Istillhavetheball.Afterthegame,thefanthatcaught it brought theball down to the tunnel andgaveme theball.Hedidn’twantathinginreturn.IfIeverhadachancetohaveMarianosignthatbaseball,itwouldbegreat.It’sonmydeskinmyoffice.IalsohaveapicturefromtheNewYorkTimesthatwasframedandsenttome;it’sapictureofmerunningaroundthirdbaseandyoucanseethefansinthebackgroundandIhavemyfistintheair.It’saspecialmomentpreservedforever.

I live in a small town. Around here, I’m known as the—quote, unquote—ballplayer.ButI’vealwaysbeenafanofthegame,evenwhenIwasplaying.IwasstarstruckandIneverlostthatfeelingwhileIwasplaying.Idon’tknowifyoucall it star struck or respect, but when you walk to the plate to face PedroMartinez or Curt Schilling or Mariano Rivera, the superstars of the game, Irememberthinking:“Thisisanopportunityofalifetime,thisissomethingyou’lltalktoyourkidsabout.”

You’re supposed tobe focusedon the taskathand,but Iknew theseat-batswerebeingetchedinmymemory.Ihadashort,sporadic,journeymancareer,sotheseat-batswerespecialregardlessifthey’respringtrainingorregularseason.

IwatchedtheAll-StarGame[atCitiFieldinNewYorkonJuly16,2013]ontelevision, and itwas a really, really touchingmoment to see theway baseballpresentedMarianoanopportunitytosaythankyou.Itwasreallyneattosee.I’mjust like anyother fanwatchingbaseball, even though Iwas fortunate to get achancetoplay.Therespecthe’sgarneredandearnedfrompeersinthebaseballworld,yougotchillswatchingwhattheydidforhim.

EdSpragueThirdbase

PlayingCareerToronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres,

I

BostonRedSox,andSeattleMarinersfrom1991to2001


EdSpraguefacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-9,1extra-basehit,1homerun,1runbattedin,2strikeouts,.111battingaverage,.111on-basepercentage,.444sluggingpercentage

MoCredSpraguehitahomerunoffRiveraonJuly18,1998.

EdSprague

Year Date Result1995 10/1 Flyout1996 6/4 Popout 6/10 Lineout 9/6 Strikeout(Looking)1997 5/28 Lineout 7/3 Strikeout(Swinging)1998 4/27 Popout 7/18 Homerun(1RBI) 9/2 Popout

T’SCERTAINLYSOMETHINGtosay;IhitahomerunoffMarianoRivera,theall-time saves leader. I’mproud Igothimon thatoneoccasion. Idon’thavetosayit[happened]inameaninglessgame,witha10-2score,inanon-

save situation. Idon’thave tomention that, and Idon’thave to talkabout theothereightat-batseither!

I cheated [when I hit] the home run. I took a chance that hewas going topoundmeinside,soIcheatedtotheinsidefastball,andIwasfortunatetobeabletokeepitfair.TheYankeesconsistentlypoundedmeinsidewithfastballs.Theirscouting reportwas not to letme extendmy arms. So I’m looking inside andbanking on getting a pitch on the inside corner of the plate. I stepped in the

bucketandhit[theball]offtheleft-fieldfoulpole.Itookachancebysteppinginthebucket,buttherewasnotmuchformeto

lose in that situation. It was a non-save situation, and it was a three-and-onecountina10-2game.He’scomingintothegamejusttogetsomework.*Manyclosers typically aren’t at their sharpest mentally in a non-save situation. Irememberhegotachuckleoutofit.Iwasn’thavingaverygoodyearin’98.Hewasprobably thinking tohimself: “Ican’tbelieveIgaveupahomerunto thisguy.”

I was fortunate to hit it off the foul pole.When you cheat and step in thebucket it’shardtokeeptheball fair. Iwasprobablysix inches fromhooking itfoul.HadhethrownmeacutterIprobablywouldhavemisseditbyfourfeet!

ItwasneverfunfacingMarianoRivera.Itusuallymeansgameover.It’sraretoknowwhatpitchiscomingandnotbeabletosquareitup.Butnomatterhowmanytimesyoufacedhim,becauseofhissmoothdelivery,theballseemedtogeton you a lot faster. He doesn’t have overpowering velocity like some otherclosers; he has tremendous location. Your only hope is to get amistake pitchthat’s in themiddle of the plate. Still, the ball mightmiss your barrel. That’sMariano’s greatest gift—he misses barrels. When you get non-barrel contact,there’snotgoingtobealotofstronghitsagainstyou.

Notalotofhittershavehadsuccessagainsthim.Iwashappytohitthehomerun.That[season]washissecondyearasthecloser,sotherealappreciationforwhathe[wouldaccomplish]didn’tcomeuntilhewasabletodoitoverandoveragainforanumberofyears.

JasonSmithSecondbaseandShortstop

PlayingCareerChicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks,ColoradoRockies,KansasCityRoyals,TorontoBlue Jays,andHoustonAstrosfrom2001to2009

I


JasonSmithfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-5,0extra-basehits,1strikeout,.600battingaverage,.600on-basepercentage,.600sluggingpercentage

MoCredSmith,acareer.212hitter,batted.600againstRivera.

JasonSmith

Year Date Result2005 5/26 Single2007 7/25 Single 8/3 Strikeout(Looking) 8/5 Flyout 9/9 Single

’M NOTWALKING around telling people I’m three-for-five off MarianoRivera.WhenI’mjokingaroundwithmyfriends,that’swhenI’llbragaboutit.Whenmy buddies come over towatch the game,we’ll be sitting on the

couch,andifwehappentobewatchingtheYankees,andMarianocomesin[thegame], that’swhen Imight say: “Iwant you all to know I’m three-for-five offMarianoRivera!”

I don’t think I owned him. He probably does not remember me, and heprobablydoesnothaveabookonme.Thosehitsareallbrokenbatsingles.Iwasvery lucky. I’m sureyou’ve seenmycareer stats.They’renotgoing tovotemeinto theHall of Fame anytime soon! Facing Rivera is not a whole lot of fun,especiallybeingalefthandedbatter.Youknowwhattheoutcome[ofyourat-bat]is going to be. It doesn’t make sense because the match-ups say you wantlefthandedbattersagainstaright-handedpitcher,butnotwithMariano.

Ionlyrememberoneat-bat:whenIwaswithKansasCityin2007.Itwasthebottom of the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium, and we were getting beat.

EverybodyintheentireworldknowsMariano’sgoingtothrowthatdevastatingcutter,soI’mwaitingforit.Ihadnothingtolose.I’mgoingtodowhateverIcantoget thegoodpartof thebat [into thehittingzone], so Iwasstepping in thebucketandtryingtogetmyhandsoutfrontsothebarrelwouldhitthebaseball.Istill got jammed. That’s how good his cutter is. I fisted the ball just over theinfielder’shead.It’sahit,butIcanhonestlytellyou,Ineversquaredhimup.Iremember not getting the barrel on it. I also remember getting stranded onbase.*

MarkTeixeiraFirstbase

PlayingCareerTexasRangers,AtlantaBraves,LosAngelesAngelsofAnaheim,andNewYorkYankeessince2003


MarkTeixeirafacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-9,0extra-basehits,1walk,2strikeouts,.111battingaverage,.200on-basepercentage,.111sluggingpercentage

MoCredTeixeiraplayedwithRiveraontheYankees’2009WorldSerieschampionshipteam.HislonehitagainstRiverawasasingleonAugust11,2005.

I

MarkTeixeira

Year Date Result2004 6/6 Groundout 8/11 Groundout2005 7/18 Strikeout(Looking) 7/20 Strikeout(Looking) 8/11 Single 8/13 Groundout 8/13 Foulout2006 5/5 Lineout 5/7 Groundout2008 8/1 Walk

TWASPROBABLYaweakbrokenbathitsomewherebecauseIfacedhimwhen hewas throwing 95miles an hour and at the top of his game. Eventhoughhe’slow90snow,he’sstillatthetopofhisgame.*He’s the greatest closer of all time,maybeoneof the greatest pitchers of all

time.Whenyou talkabout thegreatestpitchersof all time,peopledon’t thinkaboutrelievers.ButIthinkweneedtoputMointhatconversationofoneofthegreatestpitchersofalltime.Becauseofwhathe’sdoneinthepostseasonandhowheclosesthedoorinsomanytightgames,youcanmakeanargumenthe’sthebestofalltime.Sohe’sonyoursidelateinthegame,youfeelgoodaboutit.

When Mo makes his pitches, you can’t hit them. I remember thinking:“Honestly,howamIsupposedtohitthat?”

Imean,asa lefthandedhitter, youalmosthave to try to look foranoutsidepitchandpullit,becauseifit’smiddlein,it’sgoingtobreakyourbat.Peoplesaiddon’tbringupyourgoodbatbecausechancesareyou’regoingtobreakit.FacingModefinitelywasn’tfun.Thecutterissuchagoodpitchwhenheputsitintherightlocation.That’swhyhe’sbeensogreatforsolong.

Ifyouhaven’theardaboutMarianoRivera,you’ddugaholesomewhereandhidinit.Hewaseverythingandmore,andhecoulddoitall.I’mreallyhappytobeateammateofhissoIdon’thavetofacehimanymore.

MoRespect

JimThomeTheformerClevelandIndianssluggerwith612careerhomerunshadmorewalks,8,againstRiverathananyotherplayer.Thomewas3-for-15withonehomerunandfourstrikeoutsfacingRivera.

JimThome

Year Date Result1995 8/10 Doubleplay 8/10 Walk 8/10 Walk1996 6/16 Strikeout(Swinging) 6/21 Strikeout(Swinging) 6/21 Groundout1997 6/27 Homerun(1RBI) 6/29 Walk 7/14 Strikeout(Swinging)Postseason 9/30 Lineout1998(Postseason) 10/7 Lineout 10/10 Groundout 10/11 Foulout2000 5/1 Double 5/2 Groundout 5/3 Walk2001 6/2 Strikeout(Looking)2002 7/3 Flyout 7/14 Intentionalwalk2006 7/14 Single 7/16 Walk 8/9 Fielder’schoice2007 6/7 Fielder’schoice2008 9/15 Groundout2010 5/16 Walk(1RBI) 5/25 WalkPostseason 10/6 Popout 10/7 Flyout 10/9 Strikeout(Looking)2011 4/4 Popout

Ifyouhavetopicktheoneguywithdevastatingstuff, it’shim,becauseof thatpitch.Hethrowsenoughstrikessothatyouhavetobeaggressive.Itcomesoutofhishandandlookslikearegularfastball,overtheplate,andboom,it’sonyourknuckles.Itmovesinonyousolatethatit’shardtomakeanadjustmentonhim,andthisgameisallaboutmakingadjustments.

It’sobviousthatthey’vewontheworldchampionshipstheyhavebecauseofhim.

I

RobinVenturaThirdbase

PlayingCareerChicago White Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Los AngelesDodgersfrom1989to2004


RobinVenturafacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)4-for-13,1extra-basehit,3runsbattedin,2walks,2strikeouts,.308battingaverage,.400on-basepercentage,.385sluggingpercentage

MoCredVenturawasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesin2002and2003.HecurrentlyisthemanageroftheWhiteSox.

REMEMBEROURSCOUTINGreportsaidhehadareallygoodchangeup.Henevershoweditthatday.Irememberwecouldn’ttouchhim.TimRaines[theleadoffhitter]shatteredhisbat,andheprettymuchtoldme,“There’sno

changeup.”Hehadaverypainfullookonhisface.*Mariano’shadagreat career,he’sbeenagreat teammate, and I thinkhe’s a

goodexample fora lotofpeople to followbecausehedoesa lotofgood stuff.He’sabetterpersonthanheisaplayer.

RobinVentura

Year Date Result1995 7/4 Flyout 7/4 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/4 Lineout1996 5/3 Walk 5/5 Doubleplay 5/12 Popout 8/7 Lineout 8/12 Single 8/14 Single1998 5/26 Walk 6/1 Double(2RBI) 6/2 Popout 9/4 Single(1RBI)2000 7/7 FouloutPostseason 10/21 Flyout 10/25 Popout2004 6/19 Strikeout(Swinging)

MoRespect

TyWiggintonTheversatilejourneymaninfielderfacedRivera12times.Heis0-for-8with3strikeouts,1sacrificefly,andhasbeenhitbyapitchthreetimes.

TyWigginton

Year Date Result2003 6/28 Strikeout(Looking)2006 4/26 Strikeout(Swinging) 4/26 Sacrificefly(1RBI) 9/22 Hitbypitch2007 7/14 Groundout 7/21 Hitbypitch2009 4/9 Lineout 5/20 Groundout2010 6/1 Groundout 6/3 Hitbypitch 9/19 Foulout2011 6/26 Strikeout(Swinging)

Youhearaboutthecutterandthat’shispitch,butwhenyou’reinhisdivision,whenhe’sgoingtoseeyouinsixseriesayear,hewillmixinasinkerthatcatchesyouoffguard.

Everyplayerhasanoffyear.Well,everyplayerexceptMariano.Justthinkoftheconsistencyhe’shadinajobthatdoesn’tusuallyhavealongshelflife.Hehasn’tjustbeengood.Hehasbeendominant.

TonyWomackInfieldandOutfield

PlayingCareerPittsburghPirates,ArizonaDiamondbacks,ColoradoRockies,ChicagoCubs,St.LouisCardinals,NewYorkYankees,andCincinnatiRedsfrom1993to2006


TonyWomackfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)Noat-bats

MoCredWomackhitagame-tyingone-outdoubleagainstRiverainthebottomoftheninthinningofGameSevenofthe2001WorldSeries.

TonyWomack

Year Date Result2011(Postseason) 11/1 Groundout 11/4 Double(1RBI)

FYOULOOKatthevideotapeaftermydouble,hestartedblinkinghiseyeson

Ithemound.Youcanseeclearlythathe’sblinkingquiteabit.Helooksfullyawareofwhatwasgoingon.Hewasputinanunfamiliarsituation.That’sthefirsttime you got the feelinghewas thinking: “Ohman, I’venever been in thissituationbefore.”*It’sagreataccomplishmentforme,especiallyagainstsomeonelikeMariano,

whopeoplesayisthebestcloserinthegame.The2-2countdidn’tbotherme;Iwasstilllookingtohittheballoutinfrontoftheplate,becausewithhiscutter,thedeeperitgets, theharderit is tohit.Ifhethrowsaborderlinestrikeyou’vegot to fight it off. Two strikes didn’t changemy approach. I still stuck to thegameplan.Itwasalittleeasiertosticktothegameplanagainsthimbecauseyouknewhewasthrowingthecutter.It’snotlikefacingsomebodyelsewhothrowsacurveballandachangeup.HiscutterisveryhardtohitbutIstillstuckwiththeplanbecausethat’sallthathewasthrowing.

ItreatedMarianojust likeanyotherbig leaguepitcher.Itwashisgoodstuffversusmygoodstuff.That’sthewayIapproachedit.Seetheballandhittheball.It wasn’t a guessing game.We all knew he had one pitch—a hard cutter thatbreakslate.Ihadagameplantogetthebatheadoutinfront,squareitup,anddrivetheball.

I never changed bats, never changedmy batting stance, ormoved closer orfartheraway fromtheplateagainstMariano.Nothingchanged.Onceyoustartthinking that way and changing your approach, you get beat. You give thepitchermorecreditthanhedeserves.Inevergavethepitchercredit.Myjobwasto get onbase. If I had to changebecause of onepitch a guy throws than I’mgiving him the edge. I wanted to stay firm, stand my ground, and take thechallengeofhisbestagainstmybest.

To be remembered for coming through in the clutch, that’s great. But fansdon’tseeusplaydayinanddayout.TheyneverseethatIaveraged148gamesayear.Theydon’tseeoneyearIhad700at-bats.Theaveragefandoesn’tseethat.They remember the bigmoments, the things they see on television to remindthem.Tobe remembered foronehit, that’sgreat, I appreciate it, I’m thankful,and I’m glad I came through. Of all the great players on that Diamondbacksteam,wouldyouthinkitwouldbemetogetabighit?No,butitwasme.Ifthat’show the fans rememberme, then so be it. I felt I played a part of thatWorldSerieschampionshipteam,soitfeelsspecial.

Accoladesaregreat,anditmeanssomuchdoingitintheWorldSeries.Thirtyteamsstartedtheseasonandyou’re the last twoteamsstanding.Tosucceed intheclutch,andtodoit infrontofeverybody, itranksrightupthere.Theodds

may have been againstme to get the hit, but you never know if you can’t doanything if you’re not put in that situation. Getting that hit tells me that Ibelonged.

WhenIwaswiththeYankees[in2005],IgottoknowMarianoasateammate,not as a person. I was coming to a new team, and hewas already establishedthere.Wenevertalkedabout[the2001WorldSeries].Youdon’tdothat.Atthetime, theYankeeswere going for championshipNo. 26 and Iwas looking fornumber one, so I didn’t rub it in his face and we didn’t talk about it. Whathappened was in the past and I’m sure he thought the same. The only timeanybody [on theYankees]evermentionedmyhitwaswhen [Derek] Jeter toldme thatwas the longest offseason he ever had. It’s a great compliment. I toldhim, “Lookman, youguyshad somany championships and Iwas looking forone.I’msorryyouhadalongoffseasonbutIwasintheleagueawhileandIhadalotmorelongeroffseasonsthanyou.”

DavidWrightThirdbase

PlayingCareerNewYorkMetssince2004


DavidWrightfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-8,1extra-basehit,3runsbattedin,1walk,1strikeout,.375battingaverage,.375on-basepercentage,.500sluggingpercentage

MoCredWrightsingledoffRiveraintheninthinningtogivetheMetsa7-6walk-offwinatSheaStadium,onMay19,2006.

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DavidWright

Year Date Result2005 5/22 Flyout 6/26 Groundout2006 5/19 Single(1RBI) 5/20 Strikeout(Swinging)2009 6/12 Double(1RBI)2010 5/21 Groundout 6/20 Flyout2013 5/28 Single(1RBI)

HAVETHEDISTINCThonortoonedaytellmykidsandgrandkidsthatIgotawalk-offhitagainsthim.Obviouslythat’soneofthehighlightsforme.ItwentoverJohnnyDamon’sheadincenterfield.AspassionateasNewYork

fans are about the Subway Series, to deliver awalk-off hit against the greatestcloserinthegamewilldefinitelybeagoodstoryformykidsandgrandkidsoneday.*

It’safeatinitselftogetahitoffofMo,muchlessarun,andwewerefortunatetobeabletogetawinagainsthim.IthinkwesurprisedourselvesbecausewhenyougetMocomingin,it’susuallygameover.He’sbeenaboutasperfectasyoucan be. Anytime you get a chance to steal one against Mo, you better takeadvantageofit,becausethat’saonce-in-a-careeropportunity.

He’sfirstclassalltheway.TheAll-StarGame[tribute]waswell-deservedforMariano. Iwas in theclubhousewhenhecame in thegame.Allof a sudden Iheard“EnterSandman”starttoplay.SoIhurriedtothrowonasweatshirtandrunoutthere,becauseIdidn’twanttomissit.Youknewsomethingspecialwashappening.Youstarttogetsomepositivevibesinthedugout.IwasonthetopstepclappingandcheeringasloudasIcould.

I don’t feel intimidated toooften, but itwas intimidating talking toMo thefirsttime.He’slegendary.Ihadjustenoughcouragetothankhimforbeinganunbelievableambassadorforthegame.Ikindofhadtocollectmyself,becauseIwas stuttering a little bit. Forget about the numbers. Forget about his body ofwork. Forget about being the greatest closer of all time. The way he carrieshimselfandthewayhegoesabouthisbusiness isspecial. I toldhimthatevery

young baseball player should try to follow in his footsteps, because he’s aremarkablerolemodelandsomeonethatIlookupto.

There are certain players, when you see them, there is a certain awe aboutthem.IthinkMarianohasthat,nomatterifyouareaYankeeoraMetoraRedSox,whatever,youjusthavetheutmostrespectforguyslikethat.He’sgoneoutthereanddominatedandbasicallycantellyouwhat’scomingandyoustillcan’thit it. There are not too many pitchers who have the ability to do that. It’simpressive.

Just fromthefewtimesI’vebeenaroundhim,hehasbeennothingbutclass[and]verynicetome.Itjustseemslikeheisaprofessionalthewayhegoesabouthis business and the way that he handles himself and the results speak forthemselvesonthefield.

I’ve always enjoyed watching him pitch. On one hand it’s the end ofsomething, obviously great and historic, but on the other hand it’s a reliefbecauseweplay thoseguyseveryyearandIknowhowtoughofanat-bat it isagainsthim.

KevinYoukilisFirstbaseandThirdbase

PlayingCareerBostonRedSox,ChicagoWhiteSox,andNewYorkYankeessince2004


KevinYoukilisfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)4-for-12,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,2strikeouts,.333battingaverage,.467on-basepercentage,.333sluggingpercentage

MoCredYoukiliswasamemberofthearchrivalRedSoxbeforejoiningtheYankeesas

ARivera’steammatein2013.

S A PLAYER, I’ve always loved facing the best because you’re notsupposed to get hits, and if you do, it’s great. There was one game atFenwaywhereIgotabasehittostartuparally,andthenJasonBay[hita

homerthat]tiedit,sothatwasprobablythebestmemory.*

KevinYoukilis

Year Date Result2004 9/17 Strikeout(Swinging)2006 5/10 Flyout 5/11 Single(1RBI) 8/20 Fielder’schoice2007 4/28 Popout 6/3 Walk(Hitbypitch)2008 7/5 Walk(Hitbypitch) 7/25 Single 8/28 Flyout 9/28 Groundout2009 4/24 Single 8/7 Strikeout(Looking) 9/26 Walk(Hitbypitch)2010 5/18 Flyout2011 5/15 Single

*TheYankeesandMarinersweretiedattwogamesapieceinthebest-of-five1995A.L.D.S.TheMarinershad tied the game at 4-4 with two outs and the bases loaded when Yankees manager Buck ShowaltersummonedRivera,arookie,tofaceBlowers,whohadhit23homerunsanddrivenin96runsthatseason.RiverastruckoutBlowerson threepitches, thoughtheMarinerswouldwin6-5 ineleven innings.RiverahadalsostruckoutBlowersintheeighthinningofGameThree.RiverastruckoutBlowersfourtimesinfivecareerat-bats,includingthepostseason.*Riveraenteredthegameinanon-savesituationwiththeYankeesleading6-2atYankeeStadium,onApril13,1999.Withtwooutsandnobodyonbaseinthetopoftheninthinning,Bordicktripledonan0-2pitchandscoredanunearnedrunonapassedball.

*ChavezalsofacedRiverainthe2000and2001AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries.Hewas0-for-4withtwostrikeoutsandmadethefinaloutofthe2000series.*DeRosastruckoutonthreepitchesagainstRiverawiththeYankeesaheadoftheAtlantaBraves,7-4,withoneonandtwoout intheninthinningatYankeeStadium,onJune8,2001.ItwasRivera’s183rd careersave.*DeRosa singled to center off Rivera leading off the bottom of the ninth inning of a game won by theYankees 8-5 in Texas. Rivera pitched the ninth in a non-save situation, entering with a four-run lead,allowingonlyanunearnedrun,onMay7,2006.*TheYankeeshitsixhomeruns,includingJorgePosada’stwo-runshotintheeighthinningthatgavethema7-6lead.EnterRivera,attheheightofhisbrilliance,topitchtheninth.Atthatpoint,theYankeeshadwon124consecutivegamesinwhichtheyheldaleadaftereightinnings.RickeyHendersonstartedtherallywitha walk, and Edgardo Alfonzo doubled to center. After John Olerud grounded out, Rivera intentionallywalkedMikePiazza,andFranco,pinch-hittingforMelvinMora,lineda1-2pitchtorighttoscorethetyingandwinningruns.**With twooutsand thebases loaded,and thecount0-2,pinchhitterFrancowas frozenbyRivera’s cutfastballthatappearedtoblazeovertheoutsidecorneroftheplate.PlateumpireJeffKelloggcalleditaball,andFrancolacedthenextpitchintorightfieldforatwo-run,game-winningsingle.*GiambialsofacedRiverasixtimesinthepostseason.Hewas0-for-3inthe2000AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries,and1-for-3inthe2001A.L.D.S.,bothwonbytheYankees.*FacingRivera,Ramirezwas8-for-39with1homerun,9runsbattedin,3walks,13strikeouts,1sacrificefly, 3hit bypitches, .205batting average, .273on-basepercentage, .282 sluggingpercentage.Ramirez’s 9RBIsarethemostofanybatteragainstRivera.*Hatteberggotapinch-hitbloopsingleoffRiverainthebottomoftheninthinningofagametheRedSoxtrailed5-4.NomarGarciaparrafollowedwithatripletoscoreHattebergwiththetyingrun.HattebergfacedRiveraagaininthebottomofthetenthinningandpoppedouttothesecondbaseman.TheYankeeswenton to win the game 11-6 in fifteen innings at Fenway Park in Boston, on June 1, 1997. Rivera was notinvolvedinthedecision.*TheYankeeswerewinningbyfourruns,withtwomenonbaseandtwoouts.Withthetyingrunondeck,makingitasavesituation,RiveraenteredthegametofaceKoskie,whofliedouttoleftfieldonRivera’sonlypitch.ItwasRivera’s365thcareersave.TheonlyothertimeRiveraeverhadaone-pitchsavewasagainsttheLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, when he induced Erik Aybar to pop out to shortstop Derek Jeter topreservethevictory,onJune4,2011.ItwasRivera’s574thcareersave.**JohanSantanapitchedeightshutoutinningsandJoeNathanpitchedascoreless9thastheTwinsdefeatedtheYankees,2-0,inGameOneofthe2004AmericanLeagueDivisionSeriesatYankeeStadium.*After Koskie’s game-tying ground-rule double, Rivera struck out Jason Kubel swinging and inducedCristianGuzmantogroundouttofirstbasetoendthethreat.Minnesota’sToriiHunterhitasolohomerunoff New York’s Tanyon Sturtze with two outs in the top of the twelfth, but Joe Nathan of the Twinssurrenderedtworunsinthebottomofthetwelfthtotakethe7-6loss.TheYankeeswonthenexttwogamestowintheseries.*MartinezfacedRiveratwiceinGameTwoofthe1995AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries;hegroundedoutandflewout.*MerloniwalkedagainstRiverainthebottomoftheeighthinningofa10-7Yankees’winatFenwayPark,onAugust30,2003.ItwasRivera’s273rdcareersave.*MillarfacedRiverasixtimesinthepostseason:Hewas0-for-3inthe2003A.L.C.S.,includingaflyouttoendGameThree;andhewas0-for-2withawalkinthe2004A.L.C.S.,includingastrikeoutswingingtoend

GameTwo.*Muellerwas1-for-6againstRiverainthepostseason.Inthe2003AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries,Muellergroundedouttosecondbasethreetimes:leadingoffthebottomoftheninthinningofGameFive;andleadingoffthetopoftheninthandintheeleventhinningofGameSeven.Inthe2004A.L.C.S.,Muellerwas1-for-3againstRivera.HegroundedintoadoubleplayinGameOne,hittheclutchsingleinthebottomoftheninthofGameFour,andgroundedouttofirstinthebottomoftheeighthinningofGameFive.*TheTorontoBlueJaysweretrailingtheYankees,6-5,atYankeeStadium,onJuly4,2010,whenOverbayledoffthetopoftheninthinningagainstRivera.Withthecountoneball,twostrikes,Overbayhitagroundballsinglethroughthefirstbaseholeintorightfield,andeventuallyscoredthetyingrun.TheYankeeswentontowin7-6inteninnings.Overbayalsohomeredearlierinthatgame.*Reynolds struckouton fourpitches leadingoff the topof theninth inningagainstRivera.TheYankeesdefeatedtheDiamondbacks,4-1,atYankeeStadium,onJune12,2007.ItwasRivera’s421stcareersave.*WiththeIndiansfouroutsfromelimination,Alomar’ssolohomerunoffRiveraovertheright-fieldfencetiedthescorewithtwooutsintheeighthinningofGameFouroftheAmericanLeagueDivisionSeriesatJacobsFieldinCleveland.TheIndianswentontowinthatgametoeventheseriesattwogamesapiece,andthenthenextdaywonGameFivetoeliminatetheYankeesfromtheplayoffs.ThiswasRivera’sfirstplayoffseriesastheYankeescloser,havingreplacedthe1996WorldSeriesMostValuablePlayer,JohnWetteland,inthatrole.*TheIndiansdefeatedtheYankees,2-1,inteninningsatJacobsFieldinCleveland,onJuly12,2002.Riverablew the save in theeighth inning,andescapedaperilousninthafterwalking twobattersbefore retiringSelbyonagroundouttofirstbaseunassistedforthethirdout.**TheYankeeshadanearly7-0lead,buttheIndiansmadeit7-4afterseveninnings.Riveraenteredintheninthandstruggledimmediately.Afterfourhits,afielder’schoice,andanintentionalwalk,theIndianshadwhittledthedeficitto7-6withtwoouts.That’swhenSelbyhitthegrandslamfora10-7Indians’win.*RiveraenteredthegametopitchthebottomoftheninthinningwiththeYankeesleadingtheBlueJays10-1on July18,1998.Rivera surrendereda leadoffhome run toMikeStanley, recorded twoouts, and thenallowedthehomeruntoSpragueonathree-onecountbeforegettingthefinalout.*Smith singled to right field on a three-and-two countwith twoouts and theRoyals trailing, 6-3, in thebottomoftheninthinningofagameinKansasCity,onSeptember9,2007.Hethentooksecondbaseondefensiveindifferencetogetintoscoringposition,butRiveraretiredJohnBucktoendthegameandearnhis438thcareersave.SmithfacedRiverathreeothertimesthatseason:hesingled,onJuly25,2007;struckoutlooking,onAugust3;andflewouttodeepcenterfield,onAugust5(careersaveNo.430).HisotherhitfacingRiveracameasamemberoftheDetroitTigers,onMay26,2005(careersaveNo.347).*Teixeria’sonlyhitagainstRiverawasanoppositefieldgroundballsingletoleftfieldonathree-and-twopitch in the topof theninth inningwithoneoutandRiveraprotectinga9-8 leadagainst theRangersatYankeeStadium,onAugust11,2005.Onthenextpitch,HankBlalockflewoutandthenRiverastruckoutAlfonsoSorianotorecordhisthirty-firstsaveofthe2005season,and367forhiscareer.*VenturawasbattingsecondfortheChicagoWhiteSoxonJuly4,1995,whenRiverapitchedeightshutoutinnings toearnhis secondbig leaguevictory ina4-1YankeeswinatComiskeyPark, inChicago.Riveraallowedtwohits,bothsinglestoFrankThomas,walkedfourandstruckout11batters.*Rivera has allowed three game-tying hits in postseason games the Yankees have lost, but only one, byWomack,occurredinaWorldSeries.Thethreegame-tyingpostseasonhitsinYankees’lossesaretoSandyAlomar,Jr.oftheClevelandIndiansinGameFourofthe1997A.L.D.S.;toTonyWomackoftheArizonaDiamondbacksinGameSevenofthe2001WorldSeries;andtoBillMuelleroftheBostonRedSoxinGameFourofthe2004A.L.C.S.*TheMets fell behind 4-0 in the first inning, and also trailed 5-3 and 6-5, but tied in the ninth inning.

WrighthitalongdrivethatbarelyeludedJohnnyDamonfortheclutchhitthatdrovehomePaulLoDucawiththewinningrun.*Youkilissingledthroughthebox,knockingdownRivera,andwithtwooutsintheninthinningBayhitagame-tyinghomer.ThenYoukilishitawalk-offhomerintheeleventhoffDamasoMartefora5-4RedSoxwinatFenwayPark,onApril24,2009.

SectionTwo:Outfielders

I

BradyAndersonCenterfield

PlayingCareerBostonRedSox,BaltimoreOrioles,andClevelandIndiansfrom1988to2002


BradyAndersonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)6-for-20,2extra-basehits,1walk,1strikeout,.300battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage,.400sluggingpercentage

MoCredAndersonhit50homerunsin1996tosettheBaltimoreOrioles’single-seasonrecord.

REMEMBERGETTINGAhitoffRiveraatCamdenYards in[whatwas tobe]mylastat-batagainsthim,andithelpeduswinaballgame.Thenextday,twoyoung[Orioles]players, JayGibbonsandChrisRichard,bothalso left-

handedbatters,askedhowIwasabletohithim,asifIhadsomesecret,whichIclearlydidn’t.IhadtolaughbecauseMarianosawsmeoffasmuchasthenextguy.Tohavethreeleft-handedhitterstalkingabouthowyouhitaright-handedpitcherwhojustthrowsfastballs,that’sunheardof.*,**

BradyAnderson

Year Date Result1996 4/30 Flyout 6/28 Groundout 6/28 Fielder’schoice

7/11 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/13 DoublePostseason 10/9 Groundout 10/12 Strikeout(Swinging)1997 9/6 Fielder’schoice1998 5/21 Lineout 7/4 Single 9/20 Popout1999 4/13 Flyout 4/15 Double 6/27 Groundout 7/2 Groundout2000 5/7 Single 7/24 Foulout 7/26 Flyout 10/1 Groundout2001 5/3 Walk 5/4 Fielder’schoice 5/13 Single 9/21 Single

That particular at-bat I had crept up in the box about one foot. I once saw[Roberto]Alomarhitalinedrivedowntheleft-fieldlineoffMariano.Robbywasoneof thosehitters, likeTonyGwynn andWadeBoggs,whose front footwasahead of home plate when they took their batting stance. My front foot wasbehind theplate inmyusual stance, but againstMo in that particular at-bat Istood forward in the box and stood away from the plate a bit. The strategyworkedfinethatat-bat,butifyoudothatandMocatchesyou,thenhe’llthrowthe cutter outside. Itwas a decision Imade for that game and it happened towork.*

Anat-batagainstMarianoisanat-batyoucan’tfigureout.It’sstrangebecauseyouknewwhatpitchwascoming,andyouknewitwasgoingtocutinonyourhands.You’dtellyourselftoseetheballalongtime,topullyourhandsin,andstill,when you’re grounding outweakly to end the game, you just shake yourhead in disbelief.He never pitched aroundme; as a closer, hewas never in asituationtopitcharoundme.IknewIwasgoingtogeta fastballandhecouldstilljammeinawaythatIcouldn’tfigureout.

I’ll tell youhowunusual andunique this guy is.As Iwas laying inbedonenight before facing the Yankees the next day, I considered if it was humanlypossible to swingata spotnotwhereyou thought theballwas, butwhereyouthoughttheballwouldbe.Asahitter,you’retrainedtohittheballonthebarrel

ofthebat,butwithMariano,Ithought,maybeIshouldswingafewinchesovertotherightfromwheretheballactuallyis.

[MyOrioles’teammates]RafaelPalmeiroandRobertoAlomarhadabattheycalled Stumpy. It was a bat [they used] just for Rivera. I used to crack-uplaughingwhenIsawStumpy.Ithadabigbarrel,butitwasasupershortbat.Itwasthirty-twoincheslong.Iusedathirty-fourinch,thirty-threeouncebat,andIthought,whattheheck,I’mgoingtotryStumpy.Istillcouldn’tgetthecutteroffmyhands.Stumpydidn’twork.

You get tired of getting jammed and you’re determined not to get jammedagainst him. So when I was in the batter’s box he forced me to do differentthings. If I cheated insidehewould throw the cutter outside, andwhen I’d belookingoutside, he’d throw the cutter in.Hehas a great ideaofhow topitch.He’sphenomenal.Whathedoesishardtodescribe.EvennowwhenIwatchhimontelevisionIhaveahardtimefiguringitout.

Alotofguysthrowcutters,butthisisonepitcherwhoyoucannotscout,youcan’ttalktootherhittersabouthim,becauseuntilyoufacehim,youdon’tknowhowdifferenthiscutteris.Hispitchdoesnothavethesamespinasothercutters.Hiscutterhasfour-seamfastballspinandthenitcuts—itcutslate.WithMo,it’sunusualwheneverysinglehitterintheline-upknowswhatpitchiscomingandknowshe’snotgoingtowalkyou;itmakesforadifferentkindofgame.

Ilikedourbattles;itwasfaircompetition.IrememberwegottoMoandbeathimacoupleofothertimesatYankeeStadium—oncescoringthreerunsintheninth inning—but all closers are going to blow a few saves if you face a teamoftenenough. I faredprettywell againsthim.You’reproudof everyhit,but ifyousawsomeofthoseat-batsIhadagainsthim,thereweresomeprettyweaklyhitballs.Ihadgoodnumbersagainsthim,butitdoesn’ttellthewholestory.Ifyouaddinthepostseason,thenI’m6-for-22facingRivera.*,**

For a while, right-handed batters had a better chance against him. ButMofigured thatout, andhe learned to throwa two-seam fastball thatbroke inonrighties.IrememberCal[RipkenJr.]comingbacktothedugoutreallypissedoff,saying:“Great,nowhe’sgotatwo-seamer.”

I recently sawhimdiffuseEvanLongoriaon television.He threwonecutterawayjusttoshowittohim.Thenhethrewthreetwo-seamersinonhishands,makingoneofthebesthittersinbaseballlookhelpless.WhenIsawthatat-bat,Ithought,heshouldn’tretire.Ihopehedoesn’t.Hecertainlyhasatleastanotheryear,maybe two, in him. I’mhopinghe’ll reconsider.He’s one of the unusualathletes in that youwant tobeathim,but you certainly respecthim, andwe’ll

I

misshimwhenhe’sgone.***I’veadmiredhimforalongtime.He’soneofmyfavoriteplayerstowatch,and

Ihopehepitchesafewmoreyears.He’sapro.There’salottolikeabouthim.Ilikethewayhewalksontothemoundandthewayheleavesthemound.Ilikehisdemeanor. I like that he saves his best performances for the postseason. He’sarguablythebestpostseasonpitcherever.

GarretAndersonLeftfield

PlayingCareerAnaheimAngels,AtlantaBraves,andLosAngelesDodgersfrom1994to2010


GarretAndersonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-19,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,1walk,3strikeouts,.158battingaverage,.200on-basepercentage,.158sluggingpercentage

MoCredAndersonistheAngels’franchiseleaderinhitsandrunsbattedin.HewastheMostValuablePlayerofthe2003All-StarGame.

DIDN’THAVEAlotofsuccessoffhim,butIlikedfacinghimbecause,fromahittingstandpoint,youknewwhatyouweregetting.Iknewhewasgoingtothrowmeacutterinside.He’sdestroyedsomanyleft-handers’batsoverthe

years,soIbackedofftheplate.Youcan’tcoverthewholeplate;youhavetopicka spot. I picked the inside corner, and if he throws it there, that’s your bestchancetohavesuccess.Iwouldgivehimtheoutsidepartoftheplate.IfhecouldhittheoutsidecornerI’dtipmyhattohim.

ThethreehitsIhadoffhimwereprobablybrokenbatsingles.TheonlyhitI

remember was a topper down the first base line that jumped over the firstbaseman’s head. All those hits were probably before he was the Mariano weknownow,beforehelearnedtothrowthecutter.Whenhecameupasastarter,he got hit around pretty good, because he didn’t have that pitch yet.Once hestartedthrowingthecutter,itwasa180-degreedifference.

GarretAnderson

Year Date Result1996 5/17 Doubleplay1997 4/8 Single 8/21 Fielder’schoice1998 7/30 Single 8/25 Groundout 8/26 Groundout(1RBI)1999 6/18 Walk2000 4/4 Groundout 8/13 Groundout 8/18 Strikeout(Swinging)2001 8/4 Popout2002(Postseason) 10/1 Lineout2003 7/31 Flyout2005 7/30 Groundout 7/31 DoublePostseason 10/4 Flyout2006 8/27 Lineout2007 7/7 Popout 8/20 Single 8/22 Strikeout(Swinging)2008 8/1 Strikeout(Swinging)2010 6/27 Flyout

Hisapproachtopitchingisverysimple;hehasadevastatingpitchandheusesthattohisadvantage.Youknewhewasthrowingacutter,butyoudidn’tknowhowquick the cuttermoveduntil youwere standing [in thebatter’s box].Hisballisveryhardtotrack.Youcan’ttrackitthesameasyoucananormalfastball,italmostdisappearsonitswaythereandthenit’sonyou.Ifacedguyswhothrewharder, but their ball doesn’t get there as quick as his ball. You see the ball

moving but you don’t realize howmuch it’s really moving. It’s an illusion tosome degree. You almost had to guess where the ball would end up. I wouldbringmyhandsinandtrytogetthebatontheball.Ididn’ttrytodotoomuch.Iwasn’ttryingtodrivetheball;allIwastryingtodowasmakecontact.Thecutterisn’t designed to make you swing and miss; he wants you to hit that pitch,becauseheknowsit’smovingsomuchyou’renotgoingtogetgoodwoodonit.

I remember watching the 2001 World Series at a friend’s house. I wasdumbfoundedthatArizonacouldcomebackandwintheseventhgame[beatingRivera].That’swhenhewason topofhisgame.My frienddidn’tknowaboutMariano.Hesaid,“What’sthebigdeal?Relieversblowgames.”

Isaid,“Youdon’tunderstand,thatdoesn’thappentothisguy.”Ican’tputintowordshowgreatheis.Alotoflittlethingshadtohappenfor

theDiamondbackstowinthegame—athrowingerroronabunt—itwasafreakgame.

YankeeStadiumwasmyfavoriteplacetoplay.I’msorrytheytoreitdown.IlovedplayingagainsttheYankeesinthatstadium.Thosefansgottotheirfeetforalltheirplayers.WhenMarianoRiverawascomingintoagametheyblastedthemusic,theymadesureyouknewhewascomingin.Ilovedtheirfans,howtheystoodupandmadealotofnoisefortheirstars.

My last season in Anaheim in 2008 I bought a No. 42 jersey and askedMariano to autograph it forme.There’s ahandfulof guys I got signed jerseysfrom,guys I respected forhowtheyapproach thegame.Mariano is someoneIrespectedasaprofessionalandagreatplayer,nothingmorethanthat.

FrankCatalanottoLeftfield

PlayingCareerDetroitTigers,TexasRangers,TorontoBlueJays,MilwaukeeBrewers,andNewYorkMetsfrom1997to2010

CareerStatistics1,265games,1,113hits,84homeruns,457runsbattedin,.291battingaverage,

F

.357on-basepercentage,.445sluggingpercentage

FrankCatalanottofacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-11,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,1strikeout,.273battingaverage,.250on-basepercentage,.273sluggingpercentage

MoCredCatalanottosettheTorontoBlueJaysfranchiserecordformosthitsinagame,going6-for-6againsttheChicagoWhiteSox,onMay1,2004.

FrankCatalanotto

Year Date Result1999 7/6 Sacrificefly(1RBI) 7/8 Single2000 4/17 Groundout 4/19 Groundout2001 8/20 Fielder’schoice 8/23 Single2003 7/13 Groundout2004 7/22 Groundout 7/26 Foulout2005 4/30 Strikeout(Looking) 8/25 Groundout2006 7/20 Single

ACINGMARIANORIVERAwasanightmareforme.Itseemedlikeeveryat-batwasthesame.Marianowouldalwaysfeedmethecutterinside.Ithadsuch [a] late break. All left-handed hitters are worried about that cutter

inside.It’sapsychologicalthing.Youhavetopickonesideoftheplate[because]thereisnowayyoucancoverbothsidesoftheplateagainsthim.Ilookedinside.Ifhepaintedtheoutsidecorner,Itippedmyhattohim.

ItookadifferentapproachagainstMariano[beginning]in2002,whenIwasplaying on the Texas Rangers with Rafael Palmeiro. Rafael hit Mariano verywell.*

Rafi toldme tomovewayup in thebatter’sbox. I thoughthewascrazy.By

W

movingcloser,I’mmakinga95-miles-per-hourpitchlooklike100[m.p.h.].Hesaid,“No,becausehe’sgotsuchgreatlatebreak,youwanttohittheballbeforeitbreaks,somoveupasfaraspossible.”

That[advice]helpedme.Bymakingthatadjustment,IgotthebatontheballbetterthenextfewtimesIfacedhim.

In 2004, I smartened up and ordered a shorter bat to use just for [at-batsagainst]MarianoRivera. I normally used a thirty-three inch, thirty-one ouncebat.Ihadtheclubhousemanagerordermeabatthatwasthirtyincheslongandthirtyounces.ThemostsolidballIeverhitoffRiverawasusingthatshortbatinagameinTorontowhen[BlueJaysoutfielder]VernonWellshitabigwalk-offhomerun.**

Bymovingupinthe[batter’s]boxandswingingtheshorterbat,Iwashopingto get some good wood on the ball. Sure enough, in the two or three at-batsagainst Mariano after I got that bat, I didn’t crush the ball, but I hit it wellenough.

BubbaCarpenterOutfield

PlayingCareerColoradoRockiesin2000

CareerStatistics15games,6hits, 3home runs,5 runsbatted in, .222battingaverage, .323on-basepercentage,.556sluggingpercentage

MoCredCarpenterwasRivera’sminorleagueteammatewithAlbany-ColonieandColumbusin1994and’95.

HEN I PLAYED with Mariano he was a starter. When it came togetawaydaywewantedMarianotopitch,becausehegotonthemoundand he got after it. He either got outs quick, or he got hit quick. He

didn’tmessaround.Hegotafterit.Hewasn’ttheMothatyouseenow.Whenhewasastarterhedidn’thavethatcutter.Assoonashelearnedthatcutfastball,therestishistory.

Hisnumbersweren’treallygood[intheminorleagues].Butevenwhenhewasbad, he looked good being bad.His body language, his demeanor, everythingabout himwas professional. You could just tell that one of these days hewasgoing to be what he ended up being. He had that look. The way he carriedhimself,hisattitudeonthemound,everythingabouthimwastheMarianothatweseenow.

Youcouldjusttell[hewasgoingtobeamajorleagueplayer].TherearetwopeopleIplayedwiththatIsaythatabout:DerekJeterandMarianoRivera.Jetercouldgo0-for-4andmake twoerrorsandhe lookedreallygooddoing it.Youwalkawaysaying:“Wow,Jeter’sagoodplayer.”

Icouldgo0-for-4andmaketwoerrorsandyou’dsay:“BubbaCarpenter,he’snotgood.”

It’sthesamewithMariano.Hecouldgiveupfiverunsinfiveinningsandlookgooddoing it.There’s somethingabouthim, thewayhecarrieshimself, it justsaysprofessionalism.Hedidn’tgetonthemoundandfistpumporanythinglikethat.Youknewhehadconfidence.

Thinkingback,Marianowas a top tenprospect inColumbus,buthewasn’toneofthetopprospects.Someofthoseguysgetlabeledatopprospectandyoudon’tseeit.ButMarianoyoucouldjusttell.Iwasbigonwhat’sinsideofguys.Icall it theABCs: attitude, balls and character. You look atMariano and that’shim.You just talk to him about pitching and you knew that everything abouthimexudessuccess.

In theminor leagues, showingup to the field day to day forwork, you justknewatsomepointhewasgoingtobetheman.WhetheryouknewhewasgoingtobeaHallofFamer,Idon’tknowaboutthat,butyoucouldtellhewasgoingtobesuccessful.Hewasdestinedtobereallygood.Howgood,Icouldn’thavetoldyoubackintheday.Butyouseecertainplayersandyoujustknow,andthatwasthecasewithMo,youjustknew.

Hewasn’tabigtalker.Wewouldhangout,butModidn’tgoouttosportsbarsafter thegame like a lotofus.Mo’squiet.The funniest thing I rememberwasMariano trying to teach Jeter [to speak] Spanish. Jeter kept screwing it up; hewouldconstantlybutcherwords.IwastakingcollegeSpanishclassesatthetimeduringtheoffseasonwhenIcamehome,soIdidn’tknowalotofSpanish,butIknewenough toknow Jeterwasgetting it allwrong.Mowas realpatientwith

him,andeventually,Jeterwouldgetitright.IwassobummedoutwhenMoretired.Ifeltlikeapartofmewasretiring.It’s

beengreattobeabletosayIplayedwithhimintheminorleagues,butwithhimretiring,itwassadforme.Ihatetoseehimgo,butI’mgladhe’sgoingoutlikeheis, inmyopinion, as thebest of all time—whilehe still isMariano.Goingouthealthyandontop,it’sfuntowatchhim.I’vebeenaYankeesfansinceIwasalittleboy,andanytimeMocomesinthegame,whateverwe’redoingatthattime,weallstopandwatchhimpitch.It’sfuntoseehimdominate.

He’stheonepersoninthegamethatIdon’tthinkI’veeverheardanyonesayanything bad about, and that’s a testament to him. I’ve never once heardanythingbadsaidaboutMariano.

JohnnyDamonOutfield

PlayingCareerKansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees,DetroitTigers,TampaBayRays,andClevelandIndiansfrom1995to2012


JohnnyDamonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)5-for-29,0extra-basehits,2runsbattedin,3walks,2strikeouts,.172battingaverage,.250on-basepercentage,.172sluggingpercentage

MoCredDamonplayedwiththeYankeesasRivera’steammatefrom2006to2009andwasamemberofthe2009WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

ARIANOISDEFINITELYthebestcloserofalltime,probablythebestpitcherofalltime,too.Youknowwhatpitchyou’regettingfromhim,yougetreadyfor

Mthatpitch,he throwsyou thatpitch, and thenyourbat’s breaking. It’sno fun.That’s whatmakes him special; you knewwhat pitchwas coming andyoustillcouldn’tmakegoodcontact.

JohnnyDamon

Year Date Result1996 4/11 Single 4/22 Popout 7/27 Popout 8/2 Fielder’schoice 8/5 Fielder’schoice1997 5/2 Fielder’schoice 5/10 Single 8/4 Groundout 8/14 Popout2000 4/14 Reachedonerror 8/3 Groundout 9/4 Walk2001 4/27 Groundout 4/29 GroundoutPostseason 10/11 Triple 10/13 Foulout2003 5/21 Groundout 7/6 Single 7/7 Groundout 7/25 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/30 Walk(1RBI)Postseason 10/11 Groundout 10/16 Fielder’schoice2004 4/18 Flyout 4/24 Walk 7/1 Groundout 9/17 Single(1RBI)Postseason 10/13 Strikeout(Looking) 10/17 Reachedonerror 10/18 Single 10/20 Groundout2005 4/5 Flyout 4/6 Single 4/13 Groundout 7/14 Strikeout(Swinging)

7/16 Lineout 7/17 Groundout 9/11 Groundout 10/1 Groundout2011 5/17 Groundout

Idon’t think toomanyguyshavehadgreat successoffhim. Idefinitelydidnot.Istartedtogetalittlebitbettertowardstheendofmycareer,butstill,alittlebitbetter, likehitting .150, isnotgood.What I tried todowas take the cutterawaybymovingtowardshim.Normallymybackfootisagainstthebacklineofthebatter’sbox,butagainstMo,Iwouldstraddle theplatesoI’mcloser tothepitcher.Itmakesthefastballseemharder,buthopefullyIcangettothatcutterbefore itmoves toomuch.Later inmycareer, I startedtomakebettercontact,buthestillmadefirewoodoutofmybat.*

He’sdonesomanygreatthingsthroughouttheyears.Henotonlyracksupthesaves,andracksuptheWorldSeriesrings,butheactuallygoesandteachestheyoungkidshowtogripthecutter,howtogetbetter,howtoapproachthegame.You always see how focused he is, he pays attention to every hitter and everysituation. There’s a different approach to attacking a hitter who’s hot, and adifferentapproachtoahitterwho’snot.Marianoisalwayspayingattention.

ThecomebackagainsttheYankeesin2004isaseriesthatwillalwaysbedeartome,andtoRedSoxNation,becauseofhowcloseweweretobeingdone.Mostofusactuallyfeltlikeweweredone.Inbaseballthere’sanever-say-dieattitude.ButwhenMarianostepsonthemoundyouknowyourchancesareveryslim.

No,heandIneverdiscussedthatseries.Ihavetoomuchrespectforthegame,andforhim.Whensomebodyissuccessful,there’ssomebodywhofails.Pitcherscanmake thenastiestpitch, buthitters canget lucky sometimes,hit ablooperthat falls in, and that couldbe thedifference inagame, that couldbea series.That’swhyInevershowedanybodyup,orpimpedahomerun,becauseIknowwith success there’s a failureand Iwouldneverwantapitcher to showmeupafterastrikeoutorafteraseason-ending,playoff-endingperformance.

MoRespect

JimEdmondsTheflashycenterfielderhitthefirsthomeruneverallowedbyRivera.Edmondsstruckouthisfirsttwoat-batsfacingtherookieRiveraandthenhitathree-runhomerinthebottomofthefourthinningofa10-0Yankees’losstotheAngelsatAnaheimStadium,onMay23,1995.Rivera,makinghismajorleague

debut,fannedthefirsttwohittershefacedbutthengothithardanddidnotescapethefourthinning.

JimEdmonds

Year Date Result1995 5/23 Strikeout(Looking) Strikeout(Swinging) Homerun(3RBI)1996 8/30 Strikeout1997 4/7 Flyout 4/8 Groundout 8/21 Flyout1998 8/25 Single 8/26 Strikeout(Swinging)1999 9/4 Strikeout(Swinging)2003 6/15 Groundout

Idorememberthat.Hewasthrowinghard.Ialwaysthoughthe’dbegood.

Whenwe had the lead inGame Six of the 2009World Series andMarianocamein,wefeltverysafe.Youneverwanttogetoverexcitedbecauseyouknowthisgameofbaseballcanloveyouanditcanripyourheartout.WhenMoclosedthedoor,itwasspecial;itwasanotherdefiningmomentofmycareer.WinningthatWorldSerieswasspecialbecausetodoitwiththatcoreofplayerslikeJeter,Pettitte, Posada, and Rivera—the winningest players of our generation—itactuallymademymovefromBostonevenmoresatisfying.

DarinErstadOutfieldandFirstbase

PlayingCareer

T

LosAngelesAngelsofAnaheim,ChicagoWhiteSox,andHoustonAstrosfrom1996to2009


DarinErstadfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)5-for-12,0extra-basehits,3RBI,3strikeouts,1walk,.417battingaverage,.462on-basepercentage,.417sluggingpercentage

MoCredErstadisatwo-timeAll-Star,athree-timeGoldGloveAwardwinner,andmemberoftheAngels’2002WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

HEBESTAT-BATIeverhadagainstMarianowasaneleven-pitchbattlein1998.It’stheninthinningatYankeeStadium,we’relosingbyarun,and[Norberto]Martingotatwo-outsingle.He’sonfirstbaseandIgetdownin

thecountnoballs,twostrikes,andthenIfouloffsometoughpitchesandworkmyselfbackintotheat-bat.Iget[thecount]tothree-and-twoandhitasoftlinedrivedowntheright-fieldline.Ibrokemybatagain,butIgotahit,andMartinscoredfromfirstandwetiedthegame.Itwasduringapennantrace,andit’sintheninthinninginYankeeStadium,sothatwasanelectricmoment.*

DarinErstad

Year Date Result1997 4/8 Single 4/15 Foulout 8/21 Single1998 8/26 Single(1RBI)1999 6/20 Single(1RBI) 9/4 Strikeout(Swinging)2000 4/3 Walk

8/18 Fielder’schoice(1RBI)2001 8/3 Popout2002(Postseason) 10/1 Single2003 7/31 Strikeout(Swinging)2005 7/30 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/31 SinglePostseason 10/4 Single(1RBI)2006 4/9 Groundout

I relished those situations. Any time you’re facing the best, during thosemomentswheneverybody’ssensesareheightened,that’s thegreatestchallenge,andthat’swhyyou’replayingthegame.YankeeStadiumisthegreatestplacetoplay of any venue that I’ve ever played in. There’s so much electricity in thestadium, and you can feel the ghosts of the past. To get to play in YankeeStadium and bat againstMariano Rivera, ohmy goodness, that’s what it’s allabout.

MarianoRiverashouldbeoneofthewondersoftheworld.Everypersonthatlovesbaseballshouldgetthechancetostandin[thebatter’sbox]againsthimandseewhathiscutterlookslike,becauseitdefieswhatabaseballissupposedtodo.Whenhethrowsacutter,beinga left-handedhitter, theballgetshalfwaythereandthenitseemstoexplodeoutofacannonsidewaysatyou.Untilyouget inthereandgetyourbatblowninhalf,youreallydon’tbelieveit.There’snowayyoucanexplainthatpitchtosomebody,untilyougetinthebatter’sbox,andseeitwithyourowneyes.

Allofus[professionalbaseballplayers]getpaidbecauseweknowhowtohitabaseball,andforaguytothrowonepitchandbethatsuccessful,itdefiesallthelaws of the game.A pitcher can throw a straight ball 110miles per hour, andmajor league hitters who know it’s coming are going to catch up to it. ButMarianohastheabilitytocreatedeceptionwiththepitch,tomakeitfeellikeitexplodesonyou.Godgavehimanunbelievable gift, andhe’sused that gift to[reach]thehighestlevel.

Youdon’tforgetyourat-batsagainstMariano.I’mproudofhowIdidagainsthim.Mostof thosehitsIgotearly.Myfirst fiveat-batsagainsthimIgotthreehits,butIhadsixbrokenbatsinfiveat-bats.Igotjammedandhitbloopersthatdroppedin[safely].Irememberoneat-batinthefirstgameofthe2002playoffs.Itwaslateinthegame,andtheYankeeswerewinningbyafewruns.Ihitasoft,broken-bat line drive between first and second. I’m standing on the base and[Yankees’firstbaseman]JasonGiambisaid,“Howdoyouhithim?”

Isaid,“Idon’treallyhithim.Hebreaksmybateverytime.Ijustgetlucky.”*

WhenIwasplayingwiththeAngels,theleft-handedbattershadaphilosophyof moving farther away from the plate against Mariano. I credit OrlandoPalmeiro**forcomingupwiththeidea.Bymovingawayfromtheplate,you’reliterallyturningtheinnerthirdoftheplateintothemiddleorouterthirdoftheplate. Thisworked a couple of times;we got some big hits off him.Themostmemorable timewegot toMarianowaswhenwemade a comeback from fiverunsdownandMoVaughnhitahomerunoffhimandwetiedthegame.***Weknewtheoddswerestackedagainstus,butwewerearesilient teamthatcouldswingthebats.Forthat[comeback]tohappenthebaseballgodswereonoursidethatday.

Theyearafter I retired[in2010],mywife, Jessica,andIorganizedacharitygolf tournament tohelp theOrangeCountyChildAbusePreventionCenter. IboughtacoupleofRiverajerseysandIaskedthevisitingclubhouseguytoseeifhe’d sign the jerseys for us. I’m sure he gets asked all the time to signmemorabilia, andhe could have easily said no, but he didn’t, he said yes, andsignedthejerseys.TheguyisaHallofFamerthatcouldberequestingmoneyforhis signaturebutoutof the goodnessofhishearthedid it. I’ll remember thatmorethananythingelsehedidonthefield.That’sthekindofpersonheis.Youreadallthegreatstoriesabouthim,youhearofhisreputationasoneofthemostselfless people, and that’s the truth.Hehelpedus raise a lot ofmoney for ourcharity.

LewFordOutfield

PlayingCareerMinnesotaTwinsandBaltimoreOriolesfrom2003–2007,2012


I

LewFordfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-2,1strikeout

MoCred

FordfacedRiveramoretimesinthepostseasonthanintheregularseason.

LewFord

Year Date Result2003(Postseason) 10/4 Strikeout(Swinging)2004 8/19 Strikeout(Looking) 9/29 GroundoutPostseason 10/5 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/9 Popout

THINKISTRUCKoutthefirst fivetimesIfacedhim[includingat-bats inspring training games]. Iwasn’t a guy that struckout a lot, so itwas reallyfrustrating.Irememberthinking:“Justputtheballinplay,justonetime.”*That’sreallynotwhatyouwanttobethinkingwhenyou’regoinguptobat—

justputtheball inplay.Buthe’sonepitcherthatIdidnotevenget theball inplayinagainsthim.

I remembergetting theball inplayonce. Ihitoneoffmy fists rightback tohim,alittleslowroller,andhegotmeatfirst[base].Ithinkthat’stheonlyballIeverputinplayagainsthim.

It’s almost like [he’s] a freak of nature. There’s no one else like him; he’s areallyspecialplayer.

MoRespect

BrettGardnerGardner was Rivera’s teammate on the Yankees from 2008 to 2013, andwas amember of the 2009

I

WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

Thebiggestmomentwasbeingabletostandoutincenterfieldbehindhiminthe2009WorldSeries.Whenyou’realittlekid,yougrowupdreamingofplayinginthebigleagues.Idon’tknowifIcaneversayIgrewupdreamingofbeingintheWorldSeriesinYankeeStadiumincenterfieldwithMarianoRiveraonthemound,soitdoesn’tgetanybetterthanthat.It’ssomethingyouneverforget.It’salmostsurreal.GrowingupalittlekidinSouthCarolina,IneverreallydreamedI’dbeabletobeapartofthat,soit’sreallynicetobeabletocallhimateammate.

LuisGonzalezLeftfield

PlayingCareerHouston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, LosAngelesDodgers,andFloridaMarlinsfrom1990to2008


LuisGonzalezfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-2

MoCred

GonzalezgotthewinninghitoffRiverainGameSevenofthe2001WorldSeries.

T’SWEIRDBECAUSE every time I go somewhere, somebody talks aboutthathit.Iplayedforeighteenyearsinthemajorleagues,hitover350homers,fifteenthalltimeindoubleswith596,andeverybodyalwayssays:“You’rethe

guywhogotthebloopsingleoffMarianoRivera.”Butwhentheysay“towintheWorldSeries”thatmeansalot.

LuisGonzalez

Year Date Result1998 4/24 Groundout 4/25 Popout2001(Postseason) 10/30 Strikeout(Looking) 10/31 Groundout 11/4 Strikeout(Swinging) 11/4 Single(1RBI)

GettinganopportunitytogototheplateinGameSevenintheWorldSeriesandtofacethegreatestrelieverofalltime,thatwasthehighlightofmycareer,byfar.IfyoulookatMariano’sreputationandhisnumbersinthepostseason,tobeabletocomebackintheninthinningagainsthim,thatissomethingthatneverhappens.ThatYankeesteamhadwonsomanychampionships,andthey’dbeenin that situation before, and usually, when those guys got a team down, theyclosedthedoor,theyputthenailinthecoffin.

Believe me, we knew we had a tough task at hand. Although we wereswimming against the current, we still had fight in us. [First baseman]MarkGracekeptsaying:“C’monguys,yougottabelieve,yougottabelieve.”Thatwasourmottothewholeseason.Ourballclubwasfilledwithveteranguysthatwereall journeymen. We were guys who played for three or four differentorganizations,guysthatplayedmanyyearsinthemajorleagues,butdidn’tstickwith one team. So the adversity didn’t bother our guys. This was just themountainwehadtoclimbover,whichwasnamedMarianoRivera.

The ninth inning started with swirling winds and rain, stuff that doesn’tnormallyhappeninArizona.Therewerealotofstrangethingsgoingoninthatgame; the strangest of allwasMarianonot closing that gameout.AfterGracesingled to start the ninth,Mariano threw the bunt away.When doesMarianoever make a throwing error? The grass was wet from the rain, which is rare.Marianopickedupawetball.Itoldyoutherewerestrangethingsgoingon.Onthenextbunt,hemakesagreatplay.ThenTony[Womack]doubles,andwetiethegame.

Nowthere’sbaserunnersonsecondandthird,and[Craig]Counsellisupwithone out. I’m on deck, thinking: “He was the Most Valuable Player of the

[NationalLeague]ChampionshipSeries,hehadbeenswingingthebatwell,andhehasashotatwinningthisgame.”

Inmymind Iwas figuring thegamewouldbeoverwithCounsellhopefullygettingahitorgettingthatrunnerinfromthird.WhenMarianohithim[withapitch],Iwaslike,“Ohshoot,herewego.”Itwasarush.*

Mymindset in that situation was to try to get something into the outfield.Marianohadalreadypitchedtheeighthinning,andIstruckoutswinging.Seeinghimasecondtimeinthatgame[intheninthinning]didn’thelpme.Thathadnoplay.Marianoisaguyyoucouldseehimamilliontimesandhecangetyouout every time up.He’s a great pitcher—with one pitch—the cutter.He has apsychologicaladvantageonhittersbecauseofthefactthateveryoneknowshowgoodhiscutteris.Beingaleft-handedbatter,thepitchcomesinonyourhandsandeatsyouuplikePacMan.*

Mariano is so successful with one pitch, but he’s got that championshipattitudeand thatwinningwayabouthim,andheknowshow towin.Plus, thesimple fact is, this guyhas ice inhis veins. If you ask amillionpeople I thinktheremay be less than one percent that thought hewasn’t going to close thatgameout,especiallywiththeleadandknowinghisrecordinpostseasonplay.

[Yankees’manager] Joe Torre brought the infield in. Some people questionthat.Marianobreaksalotofbats,andwiththebasesloaded,IthinkJoefiguredifI got jammedandhit a slow roller, the infielderswouldnothavebeen able toturnadoubleplay,andthewinningrunwouldscore.Withtheinfieldplayingin,ifIdohitaslowroller,theyhaveachancetoforcetheleadrunnergoingfromthirdtohome.Joegotexactlywhathewanted—thejamshot—butitwentovertheinfielder’shead;itwasn’tagroundball.**

Youdreamabouthitting ahome run in that situationor a linedrive in thegap.Ihit596doublesinmycareer.Iwouldhavelovedtoshootaballinthegap,butinreality,facingaguylikeMariano,I’lltakethejamshotthatjustbarelygotout of the infield. I’ll be honestwith you. People say that hit offMarianowaslucky.I’mnotdisagreeing.Sometimesyou’dratherbeluckythangood.Inevergotahitoffhimbefore,andhowmanyconsecutivesavesdidhehave?Maybeitwashisonetimetofail,andmyonetimetogetahitoffhim.ThestarsalignedandIwasabletocomethrough.I’mprettysurethatwasmyfinalat-batagainstMariano. Baseball is a strange game.They saywhen you go to the park you’llalwaysseesomethingyou’veneverseenbefore, soexpect theunexpected.Thatwascertainlytrueonthatday.

I never have [spoken toMariano about the hit]. For theArizona fans it’s athrill,andamomentI’llneverforgetinmylife,butIhavetheutmostrespectforthatguy,andforeverythinghe’severdonefor thegame.He’snotonlyagreatcloser;he’salsoagreatperson.BynomeanswouldIeversaytohim,“Igotthegame-winninghitoffyou,andthebatisintheHallofFame.”

Iwas fortunate. I did run intoMariano in the offseason a few years later. IgrewupinTampa,Florida,andthat’swheretheYankeeshavespringtraining.Iwent home to Tampa and was walking around at the InternationalMall, andMarianowasinthemall,too.Isaid,“Hi,howareyou,what’sgoingon?”

Ididn’twanttobringitup,andI’msurehedidn’teither.Wewerebothverycordial,veryprofessional.

Tino[Yankees’firstbasemanTinoMartinez]andIhavespokenaboutit.Heand I played Little League together and we played together in high school. Iplayedsecondbase;heplayedfirst.Thatwasanotherthrill forme,andforourhighschoolcoach, tohavetwoplayers fromthesamehighschoolonthesamefieldplayingforaWorldSeriestitle.Lateron,intheeveningafterGameSeven,thefirstmessageonmyphonewasfromTino,saying,“Congratulations,itwasahellofaWorldSeries,enjoythemoment,becauseyoudon’tknowhowmanyofthese[experiences]you’regoingtoget.”

ThatWorldSerieswasunbelievablefromstarttofinish.ThedramaofbeinginNewYorkafterthetragedyof9/11,therewerealotofdifferentstorylinesthatwere being played out in thatWorld Series.Tino’s home runwas crazy.AfterlosingthosethreegamesinNewYorkthewaywedid,itwasaveryquietplaneridebacktoArizona.Wewereconfident,butwewereworriedatthesametime.WhenyouplayedtheYankeesofthatera,theyhadsomanygreatplayers,andsomany unsung heroes on that team, and they all gelled well together and theywere good. Those guys knew how to sniff blood and they knew how to wingames.WefeltlikeweoutplayedthemthewholeWorldSeries,butgoodteamsfindawaytowin,andthat’swhattheykeptdoing.Wetriedtohitthemwithaknockoutpunchbut they’dbounceoff the ropes andhitusback threeor fourmoretimes.*

Ifyoulookback,itseemsonehundredpercentofthereliefpitchersareneverreallythesametypeofrelieverafteratough[WorldSeries]loss.Youhavetobementally strongandMariano is.Especiallyplaying inNewYorkCity,where ifyou sneeze the wrong way your picture shows up on the front page of thetabloids.Forhimtostayoutofthelimelightsaysalotabouthimasaperson.Hesteppedrightinandtookoverastheircloser,andhe’sbeenthemainguythere

foralongtime.He’splayedonsomefantasticteamswithgreatplayers,andhe’searnedtheconfidenceofhisteammatesandthefans.

Iwatchedthe[2013]All-StarGameathomewithmyfamily,andmysonwassittingnexttome.Itwasaprettycoolmomenttosee[thetributetoMariano].Thatjustgoestoshowyou,whencertainplayershaveanimpactonthegame,asMarianohas,it’sprettyincredible.Iwassurprisedhedidn’tgetemotionalonthemound. Although he’s been in bigger situations, like theWorld Series, I canguarantee his heart was pounding a million miles a second. He is truly theultimateprofessional.Whetherhewinsor loses,hehas thesamereaction.TheonlytimeIeversawhimgetemotionalwasthetimehelaidonthemoundafterthe Yankees won Game Seven [of the 2003 American League ChampionshipSeries]againstBoston.*

Hecarrieshimselfwithdignity,onandoff the field. I respecthisdemeanor.Hedoesn’tshowguysupfromthefield,he’snotpointingupatthesky,oryellingatguys.Whenyousee today’sgenerationofplayers—relieverswith theircrazyanticson themound,andbatterswho take twentyminutes to round thebasesafterhittingahomerun—andyouwatchMarianogoabouthisbusiness,hejustgracefullydoeshis job;hedoesn’tshowa lotof flair. I thinkhe’saperfectrolemodel for every pitcher that wants to be a closer. They should follow in hisfootsteps. He’s a true, blue-collar guy, and that’s why he has such a strongfollowingamongtheplayerswhoplaywithhimandtheplayerswhoplayagainsthim.Allplayersrespecthim.

CurtisGrandersonOutfield

PlayingCareerDetroitTigers,NewYorkYankees,andNewYorkMetssince2004


W

CurtisGrandersonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-4,1extra-basehit,1homerun,3runsbattedin,1strikeout,.250battingaverage,.250on-basepercentage,1.000sluggingpercentage

MoCredGrandersonhitathree-runhomerunoffRiverawithtwooutsinthebottomoftheninthinningwhileplayingforDetroit,butitwasnotenough,astheYankeeswon8-6,onApril29,2009.From2010to2013,GrandersonwasRivera’steammateontheYankees.

CurtisGranderson

Year Date Result2006 5/30 Strikeout(Looking)Postseason 10/3 Single2007 8/18 Flyout2009 4/29 Homerun(3RBI) 7/17 Flyout

ITHHIM,YOUjusthopefullyhititbeforeitcutsandkeepitfair.SinceIneverreallywatchedhimonTVmuch,myfirstchancetoseehisballmoveasmuchasitdoeswasinthebatter’sbox.It’shardtogetareadon

howmuchtheballisactuallymovinguntilyoustepinthebox.Evenplaying[centerfield]behindhim,youstillcan’tsee[themovement]as

muchasyoucanfromhittingagainsthim,becausealotofpitcheshethrowsarearoundthezoneandyougetalotofswingandmisses.Youtrytofigureoutwhy,becauseitlookedlikethebatterswererightthereonit,butit’sthedeceptionandthe amount ofmovement the ball has.You can start to understandmorewhythereisalotofswingandmisseswhenyou’refacinghim.

[Hissavesrecord]isabsolutelyamazing; it’sprobablygoingtobesomethingthat’snevergoingtogettouchedeveragain.AndtogetachancebeapartofitasaYankee, I couldn’thavewrittenabetter story formyself.Hedefinitely is,nodoubtaboutit,he’saHallofFamer.He’stheall-timesavesleaderandhe’sstillgot plenty more left with the rest of this [2013] season and hopefully thepostseason.

He’s theguywewantout there.Hopefullywhenhe’s coming into thegamethatmeanswegottheleadandthatmeanswe’regoingtobewinninggamesandhopefullymakingthepostseason.

GabeGrossOutfield

PlayingCareerTorontoBlueJays,MilwaukeeBrewers,TampaBayRays,andOaklandAthleticsfrom2004to2010


GabeGrossfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-10,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,1walk,2strikeouts,.300battingaverage,.364on-basepercentage,.300sluggingpercentage

MoCredGrosshitagame-endingsingleintheeleventhinningagainstRiveraonMay13,2008.

GabeGross

Year Date Result2004 8/26 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/21 Single 10/2 Popout2005 9/16 Groundout

I

2008 5/13 Single(1RBI) 9/13 Single2009 6/7 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/29 Walk 9/7 Popout 10/4 Groundout2010 4/20 Doubleplay

REMEMBERTHEWALK-OFFverywell.Itwasatiescoreinthebottomofthe eleventh inning. [Cliff Floyd singled] and Jonny Gomes pinch ran forhim.Jonnystolesecondbase.Now,withthewinningrunonsecondbaseand

no outs, my objective completely changed. I had tomove the runner over tothird.Irememberthinking:“ThereisnowayMarianoisgoingtothrowmeaninside cutter and let me break my bat and ground out to second base andadvancetherunner.”

Becausethat’swhatyoudidagainstMarianoasaleftybatter.Itwasanormaloccurrence forhim to jamyouwith a cutter, and all you cando is hit aweakgroundballtotherightside.*

Iremembersteppingoutofthe[batter’s]boxandthinking:“He’sgottothrowabackdoorcuttertotheoutsidepartoftheplate.”

Iwaslookingaway;Iwantedtohookmywristsandpulltheball.Fortunately,hedid throwabackdoorcutter that I’msuregotmoreplate thanheplanned,andIwasabletodoexactlywhatIwanted.Ihit[theball]backupthemiddletocenter fieldand Jonnybeat the throwhomeandwewon theball game. Itwasmid-May and Mariano had not given up an earned run to that point in theseasonuntilJonnyscored.Thewinputusintofirstplace.Thatfactwasnotlostuponmeatthatmoment.**

It’sabigdealanytimeyoubeatNewYork,anytimeyoucanbeatMariano,and itwas a big deal for the team.Tampa thenwas not the organization it istoday. They had been bottom feeders, finished dead last in the division nineyears out of ten and next-to-last in the other year. I had gotten traded fromMilwaukeetoTampaearlierthatseason,onApril22,soIhadbeenaroundtheteamforaboutthreeweeks.Iwasbattlingmybrainsouttryingtoprovemyselftoanewteamandestablishmyselfamongstmyteammates.SoonafterIgottoTampa—andthishasnothingtodowithme—wewoneightorninestraightandweweregainingmomentumandaconfidencewasbuildingtothepointwhereweknewwecouldbeatanybody.Itwasamagicalseason.That[2008Rays]teamwas the first towin thedivision, first in theplayoffs, first in theWorldSeries.

Anyyearinthebigleaguesisnotabadyear,butthatyearwasspecial.Ihadthreewalk-offhitsduringmybigleaguecareerplayingpartsofsevendifferentseasons,andallthreehappenedthatyearinaboutonemonth’stime.

Early inmycareer Iwas three-for-six against [Rivera].Wheneverweplayedthe Yankees and I was not in the starting lineup, my manager knew thosenumbers and would use me to pinch-hit when Mariano came in the game.Trying to get a hit againstMarianowhen you’re in the game and you have alather going is hard enough.Trying to come off the bench to do it is anotherobjective altogether. Later inmy careermynumbers against himwaned.Thatwalk-offhit is ahighlightofmycareer. Idon’t imagine therearemanypeoplewhohavehadRBIsoffMarianoinextrainnings.*

FacingMarianoisadifficulttasknotbecausehiscutterisbetterthananyoneelse’s, it’s because he doesn’t make mistakes. Whether it’s intentional orunintentional, his ballmoves somuch that you endup swinging at somethingthatisn’tastrike.Youcan’tfigureouthowtohitit.IhadateammateatToronto,GreggZaun,whotoldmetotakepitchesuntilIgottwostrikes.Hedidn’twanttoswingatapitchfiveinchesofftheplateandgetjammedandwasteanat-bat.Sohewould takepitches,hoping to get into a good [hitters’] count, tohave abetter chance to try to hit a strike. He thought his strategy was better thanswingingatapitchthatwasn’tastrike.**

DavidHulseCenterfield

PlayingCareerTexasRangersandMilwaukeeBrewersfrom1992to1996


DavidHulsefacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

I

1-for-2,1extra-basehit,1homerun,2runsbattedin,.500battingaverage,.500on-basepercentage,2.000sluggingpercentage

MoCredHulsehitaninside-the-parkhomerunoffRiveraonAugust1,1995,theonlyinside-the-parkhomerRiverahasallowed.

DavidHulse

Year Date Result1995 8/1 Homerun(2RBI)1996 4/16 Lineout

DISTINCTLY REMEMBER THE inside-the-park home run I hit offMariano. I remember all my home runs. I only had five! But the one offMariano is particularlymemorable. Itwas his first year [in 1995] and they

wereallsaying,“He’sthenextup-and-comingkid.”Itwasareallongat-bat.Hekeptthrowingmepitchesaway,away,away,andI

keptfightingthemoff,hittingfoulballafterfoulballafterfoulball.Ihadtokeepbattling.Hewasn’tgivingin,andIwasn’tgivingin,either.ThatwasoneofthefewbattlesinmycareerwhenIwon!*

I liked balls middle-away; that was my strength. So Mariano is throwingpitchesmiddle-away, right intomywheelhouse.He hadn’t developed a cutteryet,orelsehewouldhavesawedmeoff,beingIwasaleft-handedhitter.LikeIsaid,everypitchwasaway,andIkeptfoulingthemoff.Finally,Icatchuptooneaway, and slap it over thirdbase anddown the left-field line.Right out of the[batter’s]boxI’mthinkingdouble,thattheleftfielderisgoingtosprintovertothe[foul]line,andcomeupthrowing.Buttheballhitthecornerofthewallandricochetedlikeashottowardtheleft-centerfieldgap.

As I’m sprinting to second base, I pick up the third base coach, and he’swavingformetocomeon.Iwasn’texpectinghimtokeepwavingmeon,butIwas flying, and I was pumped to go for three bases. I loved hitting triples,becauseIcouldrun.MyspeedistheonlyreasonImadeittoprobaseball.AfterIhit the secondbasebag, Ipickupmycoachagain, andhewaswavingme the

I

wholetime,soIjustkeptrunning.ThelastthingIrememberisroundingsecondandheadingforthird.Fromthere,it’slikeablur.Irememberslidingintohomeandbeingsafe,butfromsecondon,itwasablur.Idon’tevenknowiftherewasaplayattheplate,Ijustslid,andthenranintothedugout.

Obviously,Irememberitlikeitwasyesterdaysoitranksupthereveryhighlyinmycareer.Inhindsight,peoplesay:“Dang,youhitaninside-the-parkhomerunoffMarianoRivera,themostdominatingcloserinthegame.”

Igladlysay:“Yes,Idid.”ButIdon’thavetotellpeoplethewholestory.Theydon’thavetoknowthatit

washisfirstyearandhewasn’tthrowingacutteryet.Asahitter,that’snothowItellit!

MikeHumphreysOutfield

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesfrom1991to1993

CareerStatistics54games,15hits,1homerun,9 runsbatted in, .176battingaverage, .283on-basepercentage,.259sluggingpercentage

MoCredHumphreysandRiverawereminorleagueteammateswiththeColumbusClippersin1994.

WAS INTRIPLE A Columbus the whole year in 1994.What’s funny is Idon’t remember ever playing a game with Mariano at all. I wish I couldrememberplayingwithafutureHallofFamer.Iwouldlovetoseeboxscores;

maybethatwouldjarmymemory.*I don’t understand it. Iwas looking atMariano’s stats, and itwasn’t likehe

onlypitchedonegame,hepitchedsixgames[forColumbus]thatyear.I’vegotnorecollectionofanyofthat.Iwouldlovetoseewhohepitchedagainst;Iwant

somethingtojarmybrain.**MymemoriesofMarianoarefromspringtraining.ForthreestraightyearsI

wenttospringtrainingandhealwaysseemedtobecomingoffinjuryorhavingto rehab from an arm problem. I don’t remember him pitching in any springtraining games, because he was hurt or had been hurt. At the time you’rethinking,whydotheykeepthisguyaround?Nowweknow!

He’sneverbeenonethat’soutfrontordrawsattentiontohimself.ThequietMarianothateverybodyknows,thatwasthetypeofguyIremember.Hewasn’tloudinthelockerroomoranythinglikethat.Ijustdon’trememberseeinghimouton the field.Obviously, theYankees sawsomething inMarianoand thankgoodnesstheydid.

That was also the year [1994] that Derek Jeter was coming up. He wentthroughSingleA,DoubleA,andTripleAthatyearandhadincrediblestats.Wewere roommates. It’s always been neat towatch him play, and be able to say,“yeah,thatwasmyroommateinspringtrainingin’94.”

I remember playing with Jeter, and I played many years with BernieWilliams.*

That ’94 Columbus team was a special group—players like Jeter,Williams,[Andy]Pettitte,[Jorge]Posada.Youknewthatcorewasgoingtobetogetherforalongtimeandbesuccessful.IrememberplayingwiththoseguysandIenjoyedwatchingthemplayonTV.IwatchMarianoonTV,butIdon’thavememoriesofplayingwithMariano.

ToriiHunterOutfield

PlayingCareerMinnesotaTwins,LosAngelesAngels,andDetroitTigerssince1997

CareerStatistics2,091games,2,170hits,314homeruns,1,227runsbattedin,.279battingaverage,.335on-basepercentage,.466sluggingpercentage

M

ToriiHunter

Year Date Result2000 9/3 Walk2001 5/10 Strikeout(Swinging)2002 5/17 Strikeout(Swinging)2003(Postseason) 10/2 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/4 Groundout2004 9/29 Strikeout(Looking)2005 6/3 Single 7/28 Strikeout(Swinging)2006 4/15 Strikeout(Looking)2008 8/1 Single(1RBI)2009 4/30 Single 9/23 Strikeout(Swinging)Postseason 10/16 Walk 10/17 Strikeout(Looking) 10/19 Fielder’schoice 10/25 Groundout2010 4/13 Strikeout(Swinging)2011 6/5 Groundout 8/9 Groundout2013 4/7 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/9 Groundout

ToriiHunterfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-14,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,1walk,8strikeouts,.214battingaverage,.267on-basepercentage,.214sluggingpercentage

MoCredHunterisafive-timeAll-Starandnine-timeGoldGloveAwardwinner.

YFIRSTHIT [facingMarianoRivera]wasasingletocenteratYankeeStadium when I was with the Twins. I got a couple of base hits [offRivera]withtheAngels,butIhaven’thadmuchlucklately.Hegotmeto

endthegameearlierthisyear.*The first time he threwme two-seamers instead of cutters was in the 2009

postseason.Heblewmybatup[withatwo-seamer],andIsaidtomyself,“He’s

notgoingtodothatagain.”ButIfacedhimagain—andheblewmeupagain.*Evennow,hittershate facinghim.Whenyouhaveapitcherandhitters talk

about him like he’s a ghost or a monster that they are afraid to see, that’simpressive.Idefinitelyincludehimasoneofthebestpitchersofalltime.

Wespenttimetogether[atcharityevents]duringtheAll-StarGameinNewYork[in2008].ThatwasthelongestconversationIhadwithhimawayfromthefield.He’s justagooddude.Hetalkedabouthisfamily.Hiswifewasthere.Hejustlovestherightstuff.You’vegottoloveaguylikethat.OnceyougettoknowMariano,yourespecthimasapersonmorethanasaplayer.

He’s such a competitor, and such a good player; you’d think he’d have anattitude. But he’s so down to earth. He shook everyone’s hand. He had aconversationwitheverybody.Hewasn’t standoffish.Thatopenedmyeyes thatthis isagreatman.He treatsallpeople thesame.Hedidn’thaveabodyguard.He’sgenuine.Heisn’tafake—thisiswhoheis.

Thatmoment [forRivera at the 2013All-StarGame]was powerful. For theyoungplayerstoseeaguywhostartedoffinthemajorleagueswhenhewas20-something years old and now he’s 40-plus, tipping his cap at his last All-StarGameinthelastyearofhiscareer,everybody’sgoingtogetthat.Theyoungguyswholookatthatsay:“Man,Iwanttodothatoneday.”

Itmotivatesall theyoungguys—itmotivatesmeand I’vegotacoupleyearsleft [to play]. I’m going to be [in that position] oneday so forme itwas veryspecial.IhopethatIcangooutlikethat.

He’sbeenoneofthebestinthegame,sohedeservesit.I’veseenthisguydosomedamage in this game. Forme as an athlete, a guy that’s beenplaying 17seasons, I’ve got to tell you, his craft is unbelievable. I respect the craft. Eventhoughhebrokeallmybats,hekilledme.My[best]batsareallgonebutIstilladmirethanman.

RaulIbanezLeftfield

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PlayingCareerSeattleMariners,KansasCityRoyals,PhiladelphiaPhillies,NewYorkYankees,andLosAngelesAngelssince1996


RaulIbanezfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-16,0extra-basehits,4walks,5strikeouts,.125battingaverage,.300on-basepercentage,.125sluggingpercentage

MoCredIbanezhittwodoublesoffRiveraasamemberofthePhilliesinthe2009WorldSeries.

HATWORLDSERIESwasmybestmemoryandmyworstmemory,too.It was tough watching the Yankees celebrate. It felt so close you couldtouch it. Not to be able to walk away with that victory for the city [of

Philadelphia] and for the [Phillies] organizationwas one of themore difficulttimesinmycareer.

Whenyouplay this game in yourbackyard as a kid, nobody is saying: “5-4game,basesloadedandit’sApril.”

RaulIbanez

Year Date Result1999 8/6 Groundout 8/7 Fielder’schoice 8/29 Popout2000 4/8 Flyout 8/30 GroundoutPostseason 10/11 Groundout 10/13 Lineout 10/17 Flyout2001 4/2 Walk

4/11 Strikeout(Looking)2003 8/20 Single2004 5/15 Popout 8/14 Fielder’schoice2005 5/9 Groundout 5/16 Walk 8/29 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/31 Flyout2007 9/5 Strikeout(Swinging)2008 5/2 Strikeout(Looking) 5/25 Strikeout(Swinging)2009 5/24 SinglePostseason 10/29 Double 11/4 Double2013 6/8 Walk 6/9 Walk

You’realwaysenvisioningbeingapartofthelastteamstanding,theonethat’son thepitcher’smound, celebrating that final victory.That’swhyyouplay thegame.Tohavethatopportunityisablessing.

Mo’sbrokena lotofmybats.He’sbrokena lotofeveryone’sbats.Hekeepsthebatcompaniesinbusiness.Theapproach,Ithink,hastobetohittheballonthebarrel.He’sobviouslymissedalotofbarrelsinhiscareer.Idon’tknowhowmanypeoplehavefiguredhimout.Idon’tthinkmanypeoplehavefiguredhimoutatall.

Not just ishe thegreatestcloserever,he’soneof thegreatesthumanbeingsI’vehadtheprivilegeofknowing.He’shumble.He’safiercecompetitor.He’sthekindofman Iwouldwantmyown son togrowupandbe like, and that’s thehighestcomplimentIcangiveaperson.

Afewyearsago,whenIwaswiththePhillies,weplayedaspringtraininggamein Tampa against the Yankees. After the game,my son [R.J.] wanted tomeetRivera,butMowasalreadyinhiscarandgettingreadytoleavetheballpark.

Isaid,“Mariano,wouldyousayhellotomyson?”Mogotoutof thecarandcalledformysontocomeoutofmycar.Myson

shookhishand,andMosaid,“Where’sthecamera?Whohasthecamera?”Mywifescrambledtograbhercameraphone.Shetookapicturethatmyson

cherishes.That’s just agreatgesture fora superstar todo that. Itmadeahugeimpactonmysonandmyownlife.Mysonstillhasthepicture.He’sveryproudofit.

ReedJohnsonOutfield

PlayingCareerTorontoBlueJays,ChicagoCubs,LosAngelesDodgers,andAtlantaBravessince2003


ReedJohnsonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-11,1extra-basehit,1homerun,2runsbattedin,4strikeouts,.182battingaverage,.182on-basepercentage,.455sluggingpercentage

MoCredJohnsonhitahomerunoffRiveraonJune18,2011.

ReedJohnson

Year Date Result2003 7/11 Strikeout(Swinging)2004 7/26 Groundout2005 8/23 Single(1RBI) 9/25 Strikeout(Swinging)2006 7/20 Lineout 7/22 Popout2007 7/18 Fielder’schoice 9/21 Flyout 9/22 Strikeout(Swinging)2010 6/27 Strikeout(Swinging)2011 6/18 Homerun(1RBI)

HITAHOMErunoffMarianoRiverawhenIwaswiththeCubsin2011.Iwas

Ileadingofftheninthinning,we’redowntworuns;Iwastryingtogetonbasetostartarally. Ihita linedriveandIwasn’tsure if itwasgoingtobeahomerun.Iknewithadashottogoout.Iwashustlingaroundfirstbasewhen[theball] went over the wall. I knew I’d done something—in Wrigley Field,

againsttheYankees,withMarianoRiverapitching.Thecrowdwasgoingcrazy;itwasa specialmemory.At the time, in themoment, Ididn’thear the crowd.Afterthegame,Iwatchedareplayandlistenedtotheaudio.Ofcourse,Marianoendedupdoingwhathedoesbest,whichis finishingthe inningandcollectinganothersave.*

Healwaysgetsaheadofmebythrowingcuttersmiddle-awayandthenhetriestomixitupbygoinginsidewithfront-doorcutters.Thereweretwostrikesonme,andthenIfouledofftwoqualitypitchestostayintheat-bat.Thefirstwasafastballupinthezone.Onthenextpitch,Ifiguredhemightrunoneawayfromme;hedid,andIfouleditoff,too.Ihadafeelinghewasgoingtotrytogetme[out] with a front-door cutter. He had gotten me on that pitch a few timesbefore.Baseball isabouttryingtorecallwhatguyshavedoneinthepast togetyouout.Whenit’sapitcherlikeMariano,thebestcloserever,you’renotgoingtoforget[yourat-batsagainsthim].Someguys,like[Torontoteammate]CarlosDelgado,keepabookonpitchers.**

OnceIgottwostrikesonme,Iwasguardingagainstthefrontdoorcutter,theonehe starts at your fronthip if you’re a rightybatter.Most times [the right-handedhitter]willgiveuponthatpitch.Youhavetomentallyforceyourselftotrust thepitch isgoing tocomebackover the insidepartof theplate.That’satough plan, but if you can follow through, that’s your only shot [to succeedagainstRivera].Iwas lookingforaninsidecutter,andIgotexactlywhatIwaslookingfor.

IhavethevideoofthathomerunonmyiPad.Attheendoftheyear,theteamwillgiveyouavideoofallyourbesthitsfromthatseason,soyoucanlookbackandseewhatyouweredoingright,mechanically.Sothatvideoisalwaysgoingtobe there, and the home run is something that I’ll remember. I also had a go-aheadbasehitoffhimintheninthinningatYankeeStadiumwhenIwasplayingforToronto,butweendeduplosingthatgame.Thosetwohitsaretheonlyat-batsIremember;youwanttoforgeteverythingelse.*

T

AdamJonesCenterfield

PlayingCareerSeattleMarinersandBaltimoreOriolessince2006


AdamJonesfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-11,1extra-basehit,1homerun,2runsbattedin,1walk,4strikeouts,.273battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage,.545sluggingpercentage

MoCredJoneshitatwo-runhomerunintheninthinningoffRivera,onJuly7,2013.

HATWASTHE biggest hit I’ve ever had inmy career, hands down, intermsofwhoitwashitagainst—Mariano—andthatitwasagame-winner.Itsurprisedthehelloutofme.Itookthefirstpitch.

You can’t swing at the first pitchoff him, that’s a bad idea, because youdon’tknowifhe’sgoinginorout,andyou’regoingtoguesswrong,andgroundintoadoubleplay.Iwastakingtoseehowhe’dworkme.Hethrewafirstpitchtwo-seamfastballinside[forstrikeone].Isaid,“Okay,lookinside.”

AdamJones

Year Date Result2008 4/20 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/20 Single 5/27 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/28 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/19 Groundout

2009 5/21 Groundout2010 6/3 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/17 Popout2011 4/24 Walk 5/18 Single2013 4/12 Flyout 7/7 Homerun(2RBI)

YouhavetopickasideoftheplateagainstMariano.Thenextpitchwasinthesamespot.Iclearedmyhips,Ididn’tover-swing,andIputthebarrelontheball.Ifeltitleavemybat,andI’mthinking:“Getup;youbettergetup.”

WhenIsawtheballclear the fence, inside, Iwasashappyasa two-year-oldthatyougiveasugarcaneto.Ishowednoemotionroundingthebases,butI’mtellingyou,inside,ifIcouldhaveshowedemotion,Iwouldhavebeenjumpingupandyellinglikewejustwonthechampionship.*

Iknowhe’sblownsomesavesthisyear,butitwasn’tlikeMarianodidn’thaveit thatday.Whatdoes thatmean?Thosewordsdon’t even formulate together.That’snotevenasentencethatyoucanwrite.That’salmostillegalinthegameofbaseballtowritethatMarianodidn’thaveitthatday.Youalwaysgivecredittoahitter.It’shardenoughtohitabaseball.LikeTedWilliamssaid:“Youtrytohitaroundballwitharoundbatandsquareitup.”

He’s still having a pretty damn good year. The only reason he’s retiring isbecausehehates to travel,notbecausehecan’tdo itanymore.He’s tiredofallthetravel.Travelingain’teasy,man.Youthinkit’sniceplanesandfancyhotels,butit’snotallthat.You’dratherhaveyourownbed,notsomanydifferenthotelbeds.

The first thing I thinkaboutwhenIhear thatmusic, “EnterSandman,” thatsonghecomesout to,my thing is: “Doesheevenknowthat song?Hedoesn’tknow that damn song!Mo ain’t going home and listening toMetallica!” Youknowwhenhecomesinthegamethere’sa99.9percentchancethegameisover.I can’t give it 100percentbecause there’s alwaysa chance, as you’ve seen, younever know how baseball works. But you’re facing themost dominating reliefpitcher,arguablythemostdominatingpitcher,period,inthehistoryofbaseball.Andhethrowsonepitch—thecutter—thesamepitcheverytime,andyoucan’thitit,becausehecanputitwhereverhewants.That’sthecrazypart.

IknowIdidn’thavesuccessagainsthimatthebeginning,butwhodoes?Yousay I startedoffone foreight [facingRivera]. Ididn’tknowmynumbers.He’snotanuncomfortableat-bat.He’snotgoingtohaveoneslipoutofhishandandcomeupandin.IfeltIhadgoodat-batsagainsthim,justcouldn’tdonodamage.

YousayI’mtwoformylastthreewithawalk,includingthehomer?That’slegit.I’mgettingmoremature as ahitter. I’ve tried tohavebetter at-bats, especiallylateinthegame.Iwanttothriveinlate-inningsituations,becausethat’sthetimeinthegamewhenIcanhelpmyteamthemost.Whenaclosercomesin,Ihavetoraisemylevelofplay,especiallywhenMarianocomesin.It’snotaboutraisingyourlevel;yourlevelisalreadyraised;yourheartispumpingwhenyou’refacinghim.

SinceBuck Showalter came along [as theOrioles’manager] he’s helpedme,andhe’shelpedeverybodyfeelmoreconfident.Heneverdoubtshisplayers.Hegives you that extra vote of confidence that you’re going to get the job done.Sinceweknow that as a team,we goup to theplate in any situationwith themostconfidence,becausewefeelourmanagerhasourback,ourfanshaveourback,solet’sgooutthere,giveitourall,andgetthejobdone.

After[hittingthehomerunoffRivera]IsawBuckkickhislegup,whichwasthefunniestthingever.We’veplayedthat[video]clipoverandover.Youdon’tever see Showalter show emotion.Even after the biggest hits, he’s stone faced.That’sShowalter.Butheknewthesituation,heknowsbaseball,andyoudon’tgetmanyopportunitiestogetMarianotoblowasave,sothatwasunbelievable.

MarkKotsayOutfield

PlayingCareerFloridaMarlins, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, BostonRedSox,andChicagoWhiteSoxfrom1997to2013


MarkKotsayfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

I

0-for-7,2strikeouts

MoCred

KotsaywasthefinaloutofRivera’s290thcareersave.

DORECALLBEING rung up on a fastball off the plate awaywhen I wasplayingwithOaklandtomakethelastoutofagame.Theballwasfarenoughaway forahitter tosay it’saball,andcloseenoughfor thepitcher tosay it

wasaqualitypitch.ThehomeplateumpirewhorungmeupwasBillWelke.Thenextday,Iwas

runningout to center fieldand I ran rightbyhimand said: “Thatpitchwasaball.”

Umpires are really reluctant to say, “Yeah, you’re right.”Buthe said: “Iwascaughtupinthemoment.”

MarkKotsay

Year Date Result1998 6/6 Groundout2004 4/29 Strikeout(Looking) 5/5 Fielder’schoice 8/4 Flyout2005 5/6 Strikeout(Looking)2006 6/11 Groundout2008 8/28 Flyout

SoitdoeshelptobeMarianoRivera.*It’sdefinitelynotfuntryingtohitoffhim.Inmy17seasonsasamajorleague

baseballplayerthemostdifficultat-batsthatIhadwereagainstMariano.Idon’tknowifIevergotaballtotheoutfield.Whenyoudon’thavesuccess,youtrytoforget those at-bats. The only advice I ever gave a teammate [facing Rivera]:“Goodluck.”

Itriedeverything.Itriedasmallerbat;Itriedmovingupontheplate;movingupinthebox;movingbackinthebox.Hemighthavewonthebattleagainstme

even before the at-bat! But you have tomake adjustments to compete at ourlevel; if you’renotwilling tomakechangesyouwon’t stayaroundvery long. Ieventriedmovingwhilehewasinthewindup,comingtowardstheplate,togivehimadifferentlook,butnothingseemedtowork.Nomatterhowfaryougotofftheplatetheballstillfoundtheinsideportionofthelabelofyourbat.

He didn’t have a fear. That’s what makes him so great. He never pitchedaroundahitter.Henevergaveyou the impression thathedidn’thavehisbeststuff.Asahitteryoucanlookatapitcher’seyesandtellthathedoesn’thave“it”perse,oroncertaindaysyoucantellfromthefirsthitterthatthepitcherdoesn’thave a feel for his best pitch. Most guys have two pitches, and if one isn’tworking,youcaneliminateit.ButMarianoconsistentlythrewonepitch.Itwaswellknownformyseventeenyearsthathethrewonepitch—youhadtohitthecutter.There’snotanyoneelseinthegameyoucouldsaythatabout.

Heapproachedeveryoneverysimilar,inthathewasgoingtoattackyouandthrowhiscutter.Hewasthrowing93or94milesperhouronaplanewithcutanditwasdifficulttosquareup.That’swhyyouneversawhimmakeadrasticchange. He never had to reinvent the wheel. Later in his career he did startthrowingaback-doorcuttertoleft-handedhittersandhethrewtobothsidesoftheplatealittlemorethanearlyinhiscareer.

If Iwasaswitch-hitterIwouldhavehitright-handedagainsthiminsteadofleft-handed.Inmyopinion,hewouldbeeasiertohitright-handedthanleft.Hewassodominantcominginsidetoaleft-handedhitter.IfIwastoevermanage,Iwouldnotpinch-hitaleft-handedhitteragainstMariano.

When the game is on the line, he never faltered. He had the ability todominate at the highest level consistently throughout his career. The title he’sbeengivenisonewelldeserved.Hewasamasterathiscraft.

PaulO’NeillOutfield

PlayingCareerCincinnatiRedsandNewYorkYankeesfrom1985to2001

H


MoCredO’NeillteamedwithRiveratowinfourWorldSerieschampionshipswiththeYankeesin1996,1998,1999,and2000.

ECAMEUPasastarter[in1995]andhethrewtheballprettywell.AllofasuddenhemadethetransitionintosettingupforJohnWetteland.Asaplayeroutonthefield,youwereactuallymorecomfortablewhenMariano

wasinthere[pitching]thanyouwereWetteland,becauseWettelandwouldworkout of a mess, whereas you’d have an easy seventh and eighth inning withMariano. It’shardtosayyouexpect toseesomeonebecomethegreatestathiscraft,butyousawitcoming,yousawhewasspecial.

Idoagreehewas[themostvaluableplayerofoursuccessfulYankeesteams].Ifyou lookathow[manager] JoeTorreusedhim in themidstof thoseWorldSerieschampionshipyears,bringinghiminfortheeighthandninthinnings,thatshowshowimportantitistohaveagoodcloserinbiggames,becausesomanyofthose games end up close. He’s won so many games for us, so I don’t think[callinghimourmostvaluableplayer]isslightinganybodyelse.

Itookacoupleofswingsoffhiminspringtrainingonceanditwasahorrorstoryformeasaleft-handedbatter.Itookacoupleofswings,gotjammed,andwalkedoutof the [batting]cage. Iwasat thepoint inmycareerwhenIdidn’tneed to frustratemyself in earlyMarch.He threw the cutter inside to all left-handers.He fooledaroundwithback-doorpitchesand thenhe learneda two-seamfastballwhenheneededsomethingtogetEdgarMartinezout.Basically,hethrewonepitchhiswholecareerandthatpitchhasbeenthrownbyotherpeoplebutnevermasteredthewayMarianohas.

Humble isagoodword[todescribehim]and it’sagreat tribute tohim.Hereally has not changed in all the years I’ve known him. He’s a very goodteammate, he loves to win, and he’s very determined. A lot of times peoplemisrepresentwhat intensity is.He’soneof themost intensecompetitorsyou’lleversee,buthedidn’tshowuppeople.He[competed]insuchamild-manneredway that hemade it look easy, and believeme, those last five or six outs in aWorldSeriesgameareanythingbuteasy.

JayPaytonOutfield

PlayingCareerNewYorkMets,ColoradoRockies,SanDiegoPadres,BostonRedSox,OaklandAthletics,andBaltimoreOriolesfrom1998to2010


JayPaytonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-12,1extra-basehit,3runsbattedin,1walk,2strikeouts,.167battingaverage,.231on-basepercentage,.333sluggingpercentage

MoCredPaytonistheonlyplayertohitaWorldSerieshomerunoffRivera.TheblastoccurredintheninthinningofGameTwoofthe2000Series.

JayPayton

Year Date Result2000 7/7 Flyout 7/8 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/8 ReachedonerrorPostseason 10/21 Flyout 10/22 Homerun(3RBI) 10/25 Flyout2001 7/7 Groundout2006 6/9 Doubleplay2007 6/28 Fielder’schoice

W

9/28 Triple(3RBI)2008 4/20 Single 5/27 Walk 7/29 Lineout 8/22 Groundout 8/24 Strikeout(Looking) 9/21 Groundout

EWEREDOWN6-2whenIhitathree-runhomerunoffRiveratoputuswithin one run. It’s themostmemorable highlight ofmy career. Itwould’vebeenbetterhadIhita five-runhomeruntogiveus the lead

and we go on to win the game. Kurt Abbott came up after me andMarianostruckhimout[looking]tofinishthegame.Thatcouldhavebeenabigwinforus. LosingGameOnewas tough,whenTimoPerez didn’t run [hard andwasthrownoutathomeplate]onToddZeile’s [double].Tome, thatmadeahugedifferenceintheseries.Hadwebeenabletowinthatgame,andevencomebackto[win]GameTwowemighthavebeenabletoturnthingsaround.*

ThatWorldSeries game [when Ihit thehomer]was the gameof theRogerClemens-MikePiazza[incident].ThewholeNewYorkvs.NewYorkatmospheregave[theseries]allthefuelandfirethatitneeded,butthehistorybetweenthoseguysaddedto it.Theatmosphere[in theballpark]wasunbelievable. It seemedlike every celebrity from New York came to those [World Series] games.Everybody whowas anybody was there, from P. Diddy [Sean Combs] to J.Lo[JenniferLopez].Theycametowatchusplay,butweweresittinginthedugoutlookingintothestandsandpointingoutallthecelebrities.Lateron,ItoldMikethatIwishedhe’d[have]thrownsomepunchesatClemens.[TheMets]might’vebeenbetteroffwitharumbleandMikegettingtossedoutofthegamealongwithClemens, who went on to be dominating [that night]. I would’ve taken ourchances losingMike, if Clemens got tossed, too; [so] we could’ve gotten intotheirbullpen.**

Iwasarookiein2000.Ihadplayedalittlein1998and’99,but2000wasmyfirstfullseasoninthebigleagues,soIwasclassifiedasarookie.Iwasahighballhitter; I likedpitchesupandawayand that’s theway [Rivera]pitchedme.Hedidn’tknowme,therewasn’tascoutingreportonmeyet,sowhenhethrewmeacutterupandaway,rightwhereIlikedit,heplayedrightintomyhands.IlettheballgetdeepandIhitit justright.Ididn’tthinkitwasgonerightawayoffthebat.Ididn’thitatonofhomerunsinmycareertoknowthatfeeling!ButIwasabletogetenoughofthegoodpartofthebatontheballtohaveitgooverthe

wallinrightfield.TheshortporchatYankeeStadiumdefinitelyhelpedmeout.Beinginthatsituationissomethingyouthinkaboutyourwholelife.Asakid

youplaypick-upgamesinyourbackyardagainstyourbuddies,andyouimagineit’stheninthinningoftheWorldSeriesandthegameisontheline.Youdreamabout that [situation] but you don’t think it will ever really happen. It was asurrealmoment.Igotto liveoutareal-lifedream.Thehomerunissomethingyoudon’tthinkaboutatthetime,butnowthatI’mabitolderandgetachancetoreflect[onmycareer],Ineverhadamomentquiteasbigasthatone.Hadwewonthegameitwouldhavebeenamuchbiggermoment.

It’sanhonor togetanopportunity toplay in theWorldSeries, and tohitahomerunintheWorldSeriesisnotsomethingeveryonegetstosaytheydid.It’saspecialmoment,andontopofthat,tohitahomerunintheWorldSeriesoffMarianoRivera,whohasagazillionsaves,andisquitepossiblythebestclosertoeverputonauniforminthehistoryofbaseball,well,thatisspecial.IknowI’monashortlistofplayerswhohavehitapostseasonhomerunoffMariano.Thereareonlytwopeopleonthatlist—Alomarandme.*

Idealtwithsomany injuriesandwent throughsomuchemotionally just toget to the big leagues—two Tommy John [elbow] surgeries, two shouldersurgeries—that I wouldn’t let the pressure of the moment phase me. I didn’tthinkaboutwhere Iwas,orworryaboutbeingoverwhelmedbyplaying in theWorld Series. I had confidence inmyself. No, I have not seen a replay of thehomeryet.Mymomhaseverythingonvideo.She’stransferringeverythingfromVCR to DVD, and one day, I’ll watch the old films. That’s one game, eventhoughit’saspecialmoment,Ihaven’tlookedbackandrevisitedyet.WhenIdowatchit,I’msuresomethinginmymindwillclickandI’llrealizewhatIdidwasspecial.

IknowIdidn’thavegreatnumbersagainstRivera.Thereare twohits that Iremember,soatleastIhavetwopositiveat-batsonmyside!TheonlyotherbighitIgotoffhimwaswhenIwaswithBaltimore.Hecameintocloseoutagame,andIhitabases-clearing triple to tie thescore.Wewenton towin thatgame,andthathelpedBostonclinchthepennantthatyear.*

AlexRios

Rightfield

PlayingCareerTorontoBlueJays,ChicagoWhiteSox,andTexasRangerssince2004


AlexRiosfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-16,4strikeouts

MoCred

Rioshasthemostat-batswithoutahitagainstRiveraamongallactiveplayers.

AlexRios

Year Date Result2004 7/26 Groundout 8/28 Groundout 9/21 Fielder’schoice2005 4/21 Groundout 8/5 Flyout2006 4/30 Groundout 9/30 Flyout2007 7/18 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/6 Strikeout(Swinging)2008 8/29 Strikeout(Swinging)2009 7/3 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/4 Groundout 8/28 Popout2011 4/27 Flyout 8/1 Groundout2013 8/7 Foulout

YES,ITWOULDbenice[togetahitoffRivera.]Itwouldbeverynice.IfIgetit—andIwillgetit—I’mgoingtoasktokeeptheball!Unfortunately,Ihaven’t gotten a hit yet. But just facing him is something you should be

happy for. I’mglad that I facedhim, just so IcouldsayI facedoneof thebestpitchers ever. He’s the greatest. What he’s accomplished in this game isunbelievable.I’veneverhadaconversationwithhim,butI’dliketogettoknowhim better. Fromwhat I’ve heard he’s a greatman, and a very humble guy. Ireally admire him for being humble. A lot of people appreciate how he goesabout his business.He could be a flashy guy, but he’s not.He goes about hisbusinesstherightway.Hedoeshisjob,andpeopleappreciatethat.

DaveRobertsOutfield

PlayingCareerClevelandIndians,LosAngelesDodgers,BostonRedSox,SanDiegoPadres,SanFranciscoGiantsfrom1999to2008


DaveRobertsfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-1

MoCred

TheYankeesled4-3inGameFourofthe2004AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries,andwerethreeoutsawayfromsweepingtheRedSoxinthebottomoftheninthinninginFenwayParkwhenKevinMillardrewaleadoffwalkagainstRivera,whohadworkedascorelesseighth.BostonmanagerTerryFranconasent

Y

DaveRobertsintothegameasapinchrunner.Robertspromptlystolesecondbase,andscoredthegame-tyingrunonBillMueller’ssingle.TheSoxwon6-4in12innings,andwonthenextthreegamesenroutetobecomingthefirstmajorleagueteamtorallyfroma3-0deficittowinaseven-gameseries.Thentheywonthefranchise’sfirstWorldSeriesin86years.

DaveRoberts

Year Date Result2007 6/22 Flyout

OUJUSTKNEWthegamewasover[whenRiveraentered].Thatwastheoneguy in aYankeeuniformyoudidn’twant to see.Because if you sawhim, you knew the game was over.What hemeans to the Yankees and

majorleaguebaseball—he’saguywho,toaman,commandsthemostamountofrespect.He’sdoneitright.Soformetohavetheopportunitytocompeteagainsthim,it’ssomethingthatIcherish.

Firstandforemost,it’sacredittoMarianobeingsodominantthatwehadtogooutsidetheboxandcouldn’tplayitstraightasfarasasacrificebunttotrytogettwohitswithoneout.Wehadtogooutsidetheboxandmaybegetonehit.

As far as scoutinghimand lookingat tendencies, I justhadhada sequenceagainsthiminYankeeStadiuminSeptemberwhereJorgePosadawentouttothemoundandhadameetingwithMariano,andIfelthetoldhimtoholdtheballagainstmeandthengototheplate.AndsoIfelt,ifIevergotachancetobeinthe same situation, his defense againstmewould be to hold the ball and thenquickenup.So,basically,whenIgotoutthere,Itriedtocalmmynervesasmuchaspossibleandwaithimout.Andso,ashecameset,I justknewthatafterthethreethrow-overs,justwaithimout.Andheheldandheheld,anditfeltlikeaneternity.Istayedrelaxedandgotagreatjump.

A few years later, we did a commercial together for a Macy’s [departmentstore] in Miami. It was me, him, Brandon Phillips, and Dan Uggla. It was aFather’sDayad.IwaswiththeGiants then.He’s justapro.Hesaid,“Hey, it’sgreatseeingyou,andcongratulationsagain.”That’shim.

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TimSalmonRightfield

PlayingCareerCalifornia/AnaheimAngelsfrom1992to2006


TimSalmonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-14,1extra-basehit,1walk,5strikeouts,.143battingaverage,.200on-basepercentage,.214sluggingpercentage

MoCredSalmonwasthefirstplayerevertogetahitoffRivera.

KNOWIGOTthefirsthitagainstMarianoRivera.Atthetime,Ireallydidn’tthinkmuchof it.Hewas just another young starting pitcher. I facedmoreintimidatingpitcherswithpowerwhothrowhardandyoudon’tseetheball

well. But it was comfortable to hit off him, because hewasn’t doing anythingspecial.Isingledanddoubled,andmywalkknockedhimoutofthegame.Thenthe next time I saw him, he was coming out of the bullpen and he was acompletelydifferentpitcher.Everyonesaid,“Rememberhimasastarter?”

TimSalmon

Year Date Result1995 5/23 Single 5/23 Double

5/23 Walk1996 5/18 Flyout1997 4/8 Strikeout(Swinging) 4/15 Strikeout(Looking) 8/21 Strikeout(Swinging)1998 7/30 Flyout 8/26 Groundout2000 4/3 Flyout 4/4 Flyout 8/18 Strikeout(Looking)2001 8/4 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/26 Flyout2002(Postseason) 10/1 Flyout2006 4/9 Popout

AndIsaid,“No,Idon’t.”Heseemedliketwodifferentguys.Thatwasbaffling.*Facing him as a starter wasn’t nearly as intimidating as facing him as a

reliever.Asarelieverhewasridiculouslyfilthy.Tohisadvantage,youmightfacehimonceortwiceaseason,soyoudon’tgetagoodreadonhisball.Hisfastballwaslively.Theballjumpedoutofhishand,sinkinganddarting.Itgotonyousoquick,andwithacuttingaction.Iswungattheballanticipatingmakingcontactand I would consistently swing and miss. It always surprised me. It wasfrustrating,likeIhadaholeinmybat.Hewasverydeceptive,likeamagician.Tohis credit, he transformed into something completely different. I hit him as acaterpillar, but as a butterfly he was untouchable. I never even squared upanotherballagainsthim.Anygoodswingwasafoultipormaybeofftheendofthebat.IthoughtIwasagoodhitter,againsteverybodyelse.*

When your team has the lead in the ninth inning and then loses it, therepercussions staywithyou for a fewgames.Youdon’t feel secure.Whenyouhaveacloser likeMarianoRivera, it’snosecret; it’saneight-inninggame.Youhadtogettothepitchersbeforehim.Whenhecomesin,youcanlightthecigarandcallitaday.Withoutadoubt,he’sthebiggestreason[theYankees]werethegreatteamtheywere.TheyknewMarianocouldclosethedooreverynight.

Alotofclosersgruntandsnortandspit,theyscowlatyou,andthrowtheballunderyourchin,tryingtointimidateyou,whichmakesyouwanttobeardownandbeatthemallthemore.Marianowasneverlikethatonthemound.Hewaspleasant; his demeanorwasdisarming, itwas like facing anold friend. I thinkthatworkstohisadvantage.Hittersdon’thavethatextramotivationyoumighthaveagainstguysyoudespisewhoare flaunting their stuffandpointing to the

skyandtalkingtrash.Marianowasneveraboutthat;he’sthecompleteopposite.He’sverywellrespectedbecausehegoesoutthereandhebeatsyou,andthenheshakeshandsandwalksoffthefield.

MikeSimmsRightfield

PlayingCareerHoustonAstrosandTexasRangersfrom1990to1999


MikeSimmsfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-3,1homerun,1runbattedin,1strikeout,.333battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage,1.333sluggingpercentage

MoCredSimmshitasolohomerunoffRiveraonAugust14,1998,thetwentiethhomerallowedbyRivera.

MikeSimms

Year Date Result1997 8/7 Fielder’schoice1998 5/13 Strikeout(Swinging)1998 8/14 Homerun(1RBI)

FAINTLYREMEMBERIT.I’mkidding!It’smostdefinitelyahighlightforme.

IItwas1998, theYankeesweregoingtotheWorldSeriesandIdoremember itwasabigdeal.Anytimeyou’refacingthepremiercloseritwasabigdealinthe sense that you look forward to the challengeof facing the best in a bigsituation.Itwasthetopoftheninthinning,andbeingapart-timeplayer,a

right-handedhitter,notfacingtoomanyright-handers,itwasunusualformetogetthatchancetofaceMariano,butI’mgladIdidonthatoccasion.*

ItalkedtoWillClarkandRustyGreer—andinparticularMarkMcLemore—aboutwhatiswaslikefacinghim.**Thoseweremygo-toguysbecauseoftheirexperience in the league, facing somanypitchers, so Iwent to them to gatherinformation.Theysaidhethrowsacutter95milesperhour,sobereadytogo,andlookoutovertheplate.Thepitchbefore[thehomerun],hethrewacutterthatwasupandin.Apitchthatis95milesperhourandiscomingupandinwillwakeyouup rightaway. I remember leaningback,gettingoutof thebox, andthinking:“Alright,herewego.”

Igotbackinthere,andonthenextpitch,whichhe leftupandoutovertheplate,whereIwaslooking,Ihititouttodeadcenterfield.

It’s cool to be on the list as one of the guyswhohavehit a homer off him.Whenyouthinkabouthowmanygameshe’spitchedin,howmanyinningshe’spitched,andhowmanyoutshe’sgotteninhiscareer,I’msurethosenumbersaremind-blowing.I’minauniquecategory,tobeoneofonly[67]tohomeroffhim.Iwasoneforthreeagainsthiminmycareer,withahomerunandastrikeout.That’s a goodday! It’s also a very low rangeon the cardio scale.You’re eitherwalkingbacktothedugoutorjoggingaroundthebases.

Everybodysawtheway[baseball]honoredhimatthe[2013]All-StarGame.Iwaswatchingontelevisionwithmytwodaughters,andwhenmyoldestdaughtersawthesituation[inwhich]Marianowastheonlyoneonthefieldwarmingup,sheaskedmewhy theyweredoing that forhim. I saidbecauseMariano is thegreatestcloserever.Youusethatterm—thegreatest—withMariano.ItwouldbetheequivalentofbeingaliveandwatchingBabeRuthforthefinaltime.Youcanarguebackandforthaboutnumbersandproduction,butIdon’tthinkanyone’severgoingtogetmoresavesthanMariano’s600-plussaves,soyoucanstateasfactthathe’sthegreatestever.

MattStairs

F

Outfield

PlayingCareerMontreal Expos/Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics,ChicagoCubs,MilwaukeeBrewers,PittsburghPirates,KansasCityRoyals,TexasRangers,DetroitTigers,TorontoBlueJays,PhiladelphiaPhillies,andSanDiegoPadresfrom1992to2011


MattStairsfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-14,0extra-basehits,4strikeouts,0walks,.143battingaverage,.143on-basepercentage,.143sluggingpercentage

MoCredStairssmashedarecord23pinch-hithomerunswhileplayingformorefranchises(12)thananyotherpositionplayerinmajorleaguehistory.

ACING THE GREATEST closer ever in the World Series in YankeeStadium was an honor. I played in Yankee Stadium so many times, andfaced Rivera so many times throughout my career, it can overwhelm a

youngplayer,but Ineverwas[fazed].TheWorldSeries isdifferent.Whenthebullpen door opens and the music “Enter Sandman” is playing and you seeMarianomakethatsmoothjoginfromleft-centerfield,youdogetcaughtupinthemoment.

Iwas the designated hitter inGameTwo [of the 2009World Series]. Iwaswatchinghiswarm-upsanditseemedlikehiscutfastballwasalittleflat.Maybehedidthatonpurpose,becausewhenIgotuptobat,hiscutterchangedlanes.Insteadofgoingacrosstheplane,nowithadmoreofadownhilltilt.Icameupwithtwooutsintheninthinning.Hethrewacoupleofgoodcuttersandstuckmeout.IdidwhatIalwaysdid—goupswinging,ifIgetahit,great,ifnot,I’mgoingdownswinging.Onceagainhegotthebestofme.*

MattStairs

Year Date Result1996 8/23 Lineout 9/2 Foulout1997 4/5 Single 4/13 Foulout 7/29 Single1999 4/6 Groundout 8/30 Flyout2000 5/30 Popout 5/31 Groundout 8/27 Strikeout(Swinging)Postseason 10/6 Popout2004 4/30 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/2 Strikeout(Swinging)2007 5/30 Groundout2008 6/4 Strikeout(Looking)2009(Postseason) 10/29 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/31 Groundout 11/1 Groundout 11/4 Lineout

InGameSix,Iledofftheninthinningandhitafoulhomerunintothefifthdeck.Thatwasthemostmemorableat-batIeverhadagainsthim.Itwasathree-and-onecountandIwasguessingthathewouldthrowafastballinside.HethrewmeacutterinsideandIgottheheadofthebatout,butheputstheballinaspotwhere even if you hit it, you can’t keep it fair. I didn’t have success againstMariano, so thatmademe feel goodaboutmyself.Thenextpitchwas aback-doorcutterandIlinedoutto[Derek]Jeteratshortstop.Itwasn’tabasehit,butitwasanon-brokenbatandoneofthefewtimesagainsthimwhenmyfingersdidn’thurtfromgettingjammed.

When I think about facing Mariano Rivera, two words come to mind:frustrating and challenging. When I played in Oakland, we joked about howridiculoushecanmake[batters]look.Iweigh220poundsandrememberhittingjam-shotsnot even eight feet in the air.Onehit barelymade it to theoutfieldgrass; itwasadeepdrivetoshallowthirdbase!Allyoucandois laugh.It isn’tembarrassingbecausehe’ssodominating.

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IfIwasmorepatienthemighthavewalkedmemore.Butwhenyou’rebattinginasituationwiththegameontheline,youopenupyourstrikezone.Cuttersonthe innerhalf thatyoushould letgo,youswingat,and thepitchendsupnearyour back thigh.His cutter can be devastating. I swung at one that ended upcutting between my legs. I’ve seen guys swing and miss and get hit in thestomachwiththepitch.AtleastIneverswungandmissedatapitchthathitme!

IchiroSuzukiOutfield

PlayingCareerSeattleMarinersandNewYorkYankeessince2001


IchiroSuzukifacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)5-for-13,1extra-basehit,1homerun,2runsbattedin,1walk,1strikeout,.385battingaverage,.429on-basepercentage,.615sluggingpercentage

MoCredSuzukihitthefifthandfinalwalk-offhomerunagainstRiveraonSeptember18,2009inSeattle.HealsowasRivera’steammateontheYankeesin2012and2013.

SAVISITORyoucomeinhere,andwhenIwasplayingagainsthim,hewas like theDevil. Like a guy that justwould get you.He’d have a nicesmileandasoftface,buthewasjustthatDevilwhenIwasplayingagainst

him.ButthenwhenIcamehere,hebecameGodbecausehe’sonourside.*

IchiroSuzuki

Year Date Result2001 5/18 Groundout 5/19 GroundoutPostseason 10/17 Double 10/22 Fielder’schoice2002 4/28 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/4 Intentionalwalk2004 5/9 Lineout 5/15 Single2005 5/10 Popout 8/29 Flyout2006 7/17 Popout2007 5/12 Fielder’schoice2009 8/15 Single 9/18 Homerun(2RBI)2010 8/21 Single2011 9/13 Single

WhatcomestomindiswhenIhitahomerunoffhimtowinagameinSeattle[in2009].I’llneverforgetit.IwishIcouldhaverunthebasesagain.Thathomerun,tome,isveryspecial.Ithadanimpactonme.Ofcourse,youdon’twanttofacehim.Butitwasthatmuchmoregratifyingbecausehe’sthebest.**

Pitchers obviously try to throw to placeswhere the batterswill have a hardtimehittingit;pitcherstrytoplaceballswhereahitterdoesn’twant it thrown.ButMarianowould just throw towhereyou’rewaiting for thepitch—andyoustillcan’thitit.

Abatter has a spot that hewants the ball thrown to.That’swhereMarianowouldthrowit.Soasahitter,whenyouhadthatballwhereyouwantedit,andyoumiss it andmake an out, usually, hitters want tomake, not excuses, butreasonswhyyougotoutthatat-bat.ButwithMariano,he’ssogoodthatyoucanonlyjustsay,“Hebeatme.”

Youcan’treallyhavereasonswhyyougotout.Youjusthavetosay,“Heflat-outbeatme.”

NickSwisherRightfieldandFirstbase

PlayingCareerOakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and ClevelandIndianssince2004


NickSwisherfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-5,0extra-basehits,1strikeout,.200battingaverage,.200on-basepercentage,.200sluggingpercentage

MoCredSwisherspentfourseasonsasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesfrom2009to2012;onSeptember19,2011,theYankeeStadiumcrowdcheeredwhenhegroundedintoadoubleplaywithtworunnersonbasetoendtheeighthinningwiththeYankeesholdinga6-4leadovertheTwinsbecauseitmeantRiverahadanopportunitytosettheall-timerecordwithhis602ndsave.

NickSwisher

Year Date Result2005 9/4 Flyout2006 5/12 Doubleplay 6/9 Single 6/11 Strikeout(Swinging)2013 6/3 Flyout

I’MTRYINGTOgetahitrightthere.I’mnottryingtomakeanout.Butwhatcan I say? Greatest double play of my life! I’ve never been cheered forgroundingintoadoubleplayathome,andthenthenextthingyouknow,I

lookupatthebullpenandI’mlike,“Oh,that’sright.”Ittookmeaquicksecondtofigureoutwhatwasgoingon—butthenitsunkinrealfast.

ItwasagreatdayandI’msohappythatIcouldwitnesssomethinglikethat.Itwasreallyexciting.Hehadhisfamilythere,hehadhiskidsthere—everyonewasthere.Andforallofthegames[toachievearecord],itwasamake-upgame,thecrowdwashyped,theyweregoingcrazy.Itwassuchawonderfulday.He’sgoneabouthisjobwithsuchprofessionalism,andifpeopledidn’tbelievethathewasthebestcloserofalltime,that602provesit.

ThefirsttimeIfacedhim,Iwaslike,“holy[cow],man,I’mintheboxagainstMariano Rivera and I’m [hopefully] hitting a missile right here.” I think, ingeneral, for someone to go that long in his career throwing one pitch, that’sprettyimpressive.He’saperfectionist.Heknowswhathe’sdoing.Hehasaplanandknowsexactlywhathe’sdoingeverytimehegoesoutthere.

Itdoesn’tmatterifhe’s22[yearsold]or42.It’skindofsadtoseeaguygoingthroughhis last season,but ifyouhad topickacareer, thatwouldn’tbeabadonetopick.He’sthebest.Hisnumberskindofspeakforthemselves.He’sbeendoingitforsolongandhe’sdoneittherightway.Congratulationstohim.ItwasanhonorformetoplaywithhimforfouryearsandIwishhimthebestofluck.

B.J.UptonCenterfield

PlayingCareerTampaBayRaysandAtlantaBravessince2004


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B.J.UptonfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)3-for-14,0extra-basehits,1runbattedin,10strikeouts,.214battingaverage,.214on-basepercentage,.214sluggingpercentage

MoCredUpton’s10strikeoutsin14plateappearancesisthehigheststrikeoutrateofanyonefacingRivera.MannyRamirezhasstruckoutthemosttimes,13,butin44plateappearances.

What’sitlikefacingMarianoRivera?

T’SLIKEGOING toagunfightwithaknife.Youknowwhat’scomingandyouknowhe’smostlikelygoingtothrowyouastrike—andyoustillcan’tgethim.Why is it so difficult to put the ball in play when you know what pitch is

coming?Idon’tknow.IfIknewthatanswerIwouldn’thavetenstrikeoutsinfourteen

at-batsagainsthim.Youalmosthavetoanticipatewheretheballisgoingtobe.Youhavetotrickyoureyesbecauseyoureyestellyoutoswinginaplacetheballwon’tendup.Thereisnoonelikehim.

Doyourememberhavingevenonequalityat-batfacingRivera?Idon’trecallanyspecificat-batswhereIwassuccessful.I’mreallyaggressive

so I’m aggressive with everyone I face [and I] just tried to be the same withRivera.

Wasitfuntofaceoneofthegreatestpitchersofalltime?No.TherewasnothingfunaboutfacingMo.Wesawhimalot[whenIplayed

forTampa]andsometimesyoujusthadtoshakeyourheadandlaugh.Didteammatesgiveyouadviceonhowtoapproachyourat-batsagainstRivera?Whennoonehas successagainstaguynoone reallywants to talkabout it.

Youjusthopedyouhadtheleadaftereight[innings].He’sthebesttoeverdoitandI’llmisswatchinghimdohisthingontelevision—butnotinperson.

ShaneVictorinoOutfield

I

PlayingCareerSanDiegoPadres,PhiladelphiaPhillies, LosAngelesDodgers,BostonRedSoxsince2003


ShaneVictorinofacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-3

MoCred

Victorinowas1-for-3facingRiverainthe2009WorldSeries.HesingledinGameTwo;groundedoutforthefinaloutofGameFour;andgroundedoutforthefinaloutoftheclinchingGameSix.

ShaneVictorino

Year Date Result2006 6/20 Groundout2009 5/24 GroundoutPostseason 10/29 Single 11/1 Groundout 11/4 Groundout2013 8/18 Groundout

MADETHELASToutintheWorldSeriesagainsthimin2009.Irememberhimcomingout[ofthebullpen].Weknewwhatwasontheline.It’sspecialtothinkaboutgettingtheopportunitytofacethebestcloserofalltimeinthe

biggestmomentintheWorldSeries.Even though we ended up losing, it is special to be able to remember and

rekindlethosekindsofmoments.LikeIsaid,tofacehiminthebiggestgameand

that’swhatyouplayforeveryyear,eventhoughwecameuponthelosingside,I’llneverforgetthatopportunity.

Iknew itwasgoing tobea toughat-bat.Weallknowwhathe throws.Youknowyou’regoingtogetthecutter;you’regoingtogetthatpitch.Irememberitwasagoodat-bat—tenpitches.Unfortunately,Igroundedouttosecondtoendit.

I’monthewaytofirstbaseknowingwhatwasonthelineandwatchingthem[celebrate].I left itallonthefield.ThosekindofmomentswillbesomethingIcanthinkbackon,howIgotthatopportunitytofacehiminaWorldSeries.

VernonWellsOutfield

PlayingCareerToronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and New York Yankeessince1999


VernonWellsfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)6-for-19,3extra-basehits,1homerun,3runsbattedin,2walks,1strikeout,.316battingaverage,.381on-basepercentage,.632sluggingpercentage

MoCredWellshitthefirstwalk-offhomeruneverallowedbyRiverainextrainnings,onJuly20,2006.HeplayedwiththeYankeesasRivera’steammatein2013.

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VernonWells

Year Date Result2001 8/30 Walk2002 4/19 Flyout 5/20 Groundout2003 7/11 Groundout 7/13 Triple2004 7/22 Groundout 7/26 Groundout 8/28 Groundout2005 4/21 Single 8/23 Groundout 9/25 Walk2006 7/20 Homerun(1RBI)2007 5/30 Groundout 7/18 Flyout 8/6 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/12 Groundout2008 4/3 Single 8/29 Single2009 8/4 Double(2RBI)2010 6/6 Flyout 9/28 Lineout

HAVEAFAVORITEpersonalmemory.Itisn’tagoodone[forRivera].It’smyfavorite,nothis. I’m justoneofahandfulofguys toeverhitawalk-offhomerunagainsthim[whichIdidin2006].That’samomentthatI’llnever

forget.I’llalwaysrememberjoggingaroundthebaseswhenIhitit.*Those are the kind of memories that will stick with you for a lifetime. I

remembereverythingaboutit.Personally,itwasoneofthecoolermomentsI’veever experienced.Anytime you get a chance to faceMariano it’s amemorableexperiencejustbecauseofwhoheis,whathestandsfor,andwhathe’sbeenabletoaccomplish.

Ihadmyapproachgoingintothatat-bat.Itwastolookforacutterinsideandconvincemyselftoswingatit.Igottoa1-0countandhethrewthepitchIwaslookingforandIhitit.WhiletheballwasintheairandIwasapproachingfirstbaseitwasjustamatterofwhetheritwasgoingtogetcaughtorgoout.Itlanded

overthefenceandIremember justgettinggoosebumps,thinking:“I justhitawalk-offhomerunoffthegreatestcloserofalltime!”

Obviouslyit’sashortlistofguyswhohavebeenabletodothat.**I alwaysheldhim in thehighest regardplayingagainsthim.You remember

watching him jog in at Yankee Stadium,with hismusic playing, and the fansknowthatassoonasthatsongstartsplaying,theyknowtheircloseriscomingin,andfarmoreoftenthannot,thegameisover.It’smuchbetternow[asRivera’steammate]when themusic’s playing at home—it’s notnecessarily a bad thinganymore.Nowit’sagoodthingknowinghe’scomingintoclosethedoor.Ithinka lot of people are going to miss hearing that music come on once we startgettingintoninthinningsafterthisyear[2013].

*Witha6-5leadinthebottomoftheninthinning,Riveraallowedback-to-backsinglestoTonyBatistaandAnderson,andafterasacrificebuntmovedtherunnersintoscoringposition,surrenderedatwo-runsingletoJerryHairstonina7-6losstotheOriolesatCamdenYards,onSeptember21,2001.**Gibbonswas3-for-23facingRivera;Richardwas0-for-8facingRivera.*Alomarwas5-for-11facingRivera;Boggswas1-for-4facingRivera;Gwynnwas1-for-1facingRiverainthe1988WorldSeries.*AlbertBellehit a two-out, two-run single in a three-runninth inningoffRivera as theOriolesbeat theYankees7-6atYankeeStadium,onMay7,2000.CharlesJohnsonsingledleadingoffandAndersonsingledwithoneout.DelinoDeShields’singlepulledtheOriolesto6-5andB.J.Surhoff’sgroundoutadvancedtherunners.Bellethenlinedasingletocenter.**AndersonfacedRiveratwiceinthe1996AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries;hegroundedoutintheeleventhinningofGameOneandstruckoutinGameFour.***Ripkenis3-for-13facingRivera;Longoriais4-for-16withtwohomerunsfacingRivera.*FacingRivera,Palmeirowas8-for-24(.333battingaverage)with2homeruns(.583sluggingpercentage),3runsbattedin,and6walks(.467on-basepercentage).**Wellshitawalk-offhomerunoffRiveratogiveTorontoa5-4victoryineleveninnings,onJuly20,2006.Catalanattohadledofftheinningbyhittingaline-drivesingletorightfieldafterbeingdowninthecountnoballsandtwostrikes.Catalanattowasthenthrownoutattemptingtostealsecondbaseonafailedhit-and-runattempt.Onthenextpitch,Wellshitthegame-winninghomer.*Damonwas2-for-8 facingRivera in thepostseason.Hewas 1-for-2 (a triple) in the2001A.L.D.S.withOakland;0-for-2inthe2003A.L.C.S.withBoston;and1-for-4(asingle)inthe2004A.L.C.S.withBoston.*ManagerJoeTorrecalledforRiveraintheeighthinningwiththeYankeesleadingtheAngels,6-4,inthesecondgameofadoubleheader,onAugust26,1998.ThiswasonlythesecondtimeinRivera’scareerthathehadbeensummonedtonotchapotentialsix-outsave.AlthoughRiverabotchedthesave,hedidgetthevictorywhenDerekJetersingledinJorgePosadaintheninthinningfora7-6Yankeeswin.*ErstadsingledtoshortrightfieldagainstRiveraintheninthinningbutRiveraretiredthesidetoearnthe

saveintheYankees’8-5victoryovertheAngelsinGameOneofthe2002AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries,onOctober1,2002.TheAngleswonthenextthreegamestotaketheseries,thendispatchedtheMinnesotaTwins in the A.L. Championship Series en route to capturing the franchise’s first World Serieschampionship.**Orlando Palmeirowas 2-for-11 facing Rivera during his career with theAngels, Cardinals andAstrosfrom1995to2007.***TheAngelscamebackfromafive-rundeficittobeattheYankees,9-8,inYankeeStadiumonAugust18,2000.Trailing8-3, theAngels loaded thebaseswithoneout in the topof theninth inningwhenRiveraenteredthegame.AfterrunsbattedinbyErstadandPalmeiromadethescore8-5,Vaughnhitathree-runhomeruntotiethescore.Erstadhitthegame-winninghomerunoffMikeStantoninthetopoftheeleventhinning.ErstadalsosavedthegamefortheAngelsinthebottomofthetenthinningbymakingaspectaculardivingcatchinleft-centerfieldwithtwooutsandthewinningrunonthirdbase.*FordfacedRiverathreetimesinthepostseasonasamemberoftheTwins.HestruckoutinGameThreeofthe2003AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries,wonby theYankees in fourgames. In the2004A.L.D.S.,alsowonbytheYankeesinfourgames,FordstruckoutinGameOneandpoppedouttosecondbaseinGameFour.*CounsellwasnamedtheMostValuablePlayerofthe2001N.L.C.S.Inafive-gameserieswinoverAtlanta,Counsellbatted.381witheighthits,threedoubles,fourrunsbattedin,andfiverunsscored.IntheWorldSeries,CounsellhadfacedRiveraingamesthree,four,andfive—andgroundedoutweaklyallthreetimes—beforebeinghitbyapitchinthefatefulninthinningofGameSeven.*FacingRiverainthe2001WorldSeries,GonzalezstruckoutlookingintheeighthinningofGameThree;groundedouttofirstinthetenthinningofGameFour;andstruckoutswingingleadingoffthebottomoftheeighthofGameSevenwithArizonatrailing2-1,beforehisninthinningsingletowinit.**GonzalezcametotheplateinthebottomoftheninthinningofGameSeven,withthescoreevenat2-2,thebasesloadedandoneout.GonzalezswungatRivera’s0-1pitchandhitthegame-winningbloopsingleinto left-center field that sealed the first franchiseWorldSeries title forArizona. ItwasRivera’s firstandonly loss of his postseason career, and it snapped his record streak of 23 consecutive postseason savesconverted.*JustweeksaftertheSeptember11tragedy,theYankeeshelpedtoupliftthespiritofNewYorkwiththreestraight dramaticWorld Series victories at the Stadium.TheywonGameFour onDerek Jeter’swalk-offhomerunaftera two-out,game-tyinghomer intheninthbyMartinez.TheyalsotookGameFiveafteratwo-out,game-tyinghomerintheninthbyScottBrosius.*Rivera’smemorableperformanceinGameSevenofthe2003A.L.C.S.againstthearchrivalBostonRedSoxis one for the ages. He entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 5-5 and pitched threescorelessinnings.AaronBoone’seleventh-inningwalk-offhomerunpropelledtheYankeesintotheWorldSeries,butRiverawasnamedMostValuablePlayeroftheseriesforearningtwosavesandrecordingawininthedecisivecontest.AsBoonecelebratedwithteammatesathomeplate,Riverarantothemoundtobowhisheadinprayer,andthenbuckledwithjoyousexhaustion.*FacingRivera,Floydwas2-for-8with1extra-basehit,1walk,3strikeouts,.250battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage, .375 sluggingpercentage.Gomes is 3-for-11, 1 extra-basehit, 3walks, 4 strikeouts, .273battingaverage,.467on-basepercentage,.571sluggingpercentage.**Grossdrilledaone-and-onepitchfromRiveraupthemiddletodriveinthewinningrun,toleadTampaBaypastNewYork,2-1,andintofirstplaceintheAmericanLeagueEast,onMay13,2008.Riveraabsorbedthelossafterheallowedhisfirstruninfourteenappearancesthatseason.*BesidesGross, fiveotherplayershavegame-endingRBIs inextra inningsagainstRivera.Theyare:KeithLockhart,Royals,10thinningdouble,August2,1996;RobertFick,Tigers,11thinningfielder’schoice,June

27,2000;MannyRamirez,RedSox,10thinningsingle,April13,2001;VernonWells,BlueJays,11thinninghomerun,July20,2006;DavidMurphy,Rangers,10thinningsingle,August10,2010.**Facing Rivera, Zaun was 2-for-16, 1 extra-base hit, 1 run batted in, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, .125 battingaverage,.176on-basepercentage,.188sluggingpercentage.(SeeZaunentryincatchers’section.)*Hulse’stwo-run,inside-the-parkhomerunoffRiveracameontheeighthpitchoftheat-bat,scoringMattMieskeaheadofhim,togivetheBrewersa5-4leadinthetopoftheseventhinning.TheYankeesscoredthreerunsinthebottomoftheseventhasRiveraandtheYankeeswonthegame,7-5,atYankeeStadium,onAugust1,1995.ThevictorywasRivera’sfourthcareerwin.*Humphreyscollected121hitsin135gamesplayedfortheTripleAColumbusClippersin1994.Hebatted.248with8homerunsand51runsbattedin.**PitchingfortheTripleAColumbusClippersin1994,Riverawas4-2witha5.81earnedrunaverage.Heallowed34hitsand10walksin31innings,andstruckout23batters.*JetersoaredthroughtheYankees’minorleaguesystemin1994.Hehada.329battingaveragein69gamesforSingleATampa; .a377battingaverage in34gamesforDoubleAAlbany-Colonie;anda .349battingaveragein35gamesforTripleAColumbus.*Hunter’srun-scoringsingletocenterfieldintheninthinningoffRiveragavetheAngelsa1-0victoryovertheYankeesatYankeeStadium,onAugust1,2008.HunteralsosingledoffRiveraina7-4YankeeswinovertheAngels,onApril30,2009(careersaveNo.487andthestartofRivera’scareer-beststreakof36straightsaveopportunitiesconverted).FacingRivera in the regular seasonandpostseason,Hunterwas0-for-his-last-9withawalk,includingagame-endingstrikeoutinaYankees’victoryovertheTigers,onApril7,2013,whichwasRivera’sfinalappearanceinDetroit.*TheYankeesdefeatedtheAngelsinsixgamesinthe2009AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries.Hunterwas 0-for-3 with a walk facing Rivera: he walked in GameOne, struck out looking in Game Two, andgroundedoutweaklyinGamesThreeandSix.HunteralsofacedRiveraasamemberoftheTwinsinthe2003 A.L. Division Series, won by the Yankees in four games. Hunter struck out in Game Two andgroundedouttoendGameThree.HunterdidnotfaceRiverainthe2004A.L.D.S.,alsowonbytheYankeesinfourgames.*JohnsonledoffthebottomoftheninthinningwiththeCubstrailingtheYankees,4-2,atWrigleyField,onJune18,2011.Riveragotaheadinthecountone-and-two,andthenJohnsonfouledofftwopitches.Onthesixthpitch, Johnsonconnected forahomerun to left-center field,cutting theYankees’ lead to4-3.ThenRiveragaveupasingle,gotadouble-playgroundball,andastrikeout,toearnhis576thcareersave.**Delgadowas8-for-21(.381battingaverage)withoneextra-basehitandonerunbattedinfacingRivera.Riverahas twice intentionallywalkedDelgado, tyinghimwithEdgarMartinez,EvanLongoria, andPaulSorrentoformosttimesintentionallywalkedbyRivera.(SeeDelgadoentryinInfielders’section.)*Johnson’sline-drivesingletoleftfieldoffRiverascoredOrlandoHudsontogiveTorontoa4-3leadinthetopoftheninthinningofagameatYankeeStadium,onAugust23,2005.TheYankeesscoredtworunsinthebottomoftheninth,makingRiverathewinningpitcherina5-4walk-offvictory.*Withoneonandoneoutintheninthinning,Jonesdrovean0-1pitchintothebullpeninleft-centerfieldforatwo-runhomeroffRiveratogivetheOriolesa2-1victoryatYankeeStadium,onJuly7,2013.Itwasthe67thhomerunsurrenderedbyRivera,whohadconverted41consecutivesaveopportunitiesathome.HislastfailurehadbeenonSeptember26,2010,againstBoston.*Kotsaystruckoutlookingataone-twopitchfromRiveratomakethefinaloutina7-5Yankees’winintheBronx,onApril29,2004.RiveracameoninreliefofTomGordonintheeighthinningwithtwooutsandrunnersonfirstandthirdandgotBobbyCrosbytogroundouttosecondtoendthethreat.*GameOneofthefirstSubwaySeriessince1956wasscorelesswhenPerezsingledinthetopofsixthinning

offAndyPettitte.Withtwoouts,Zeilehitaballinchesshyofbeingahomerun,buttheballbouncedoffthetopoftheleft-fieldwallandbackontotheplayingfield.Perezthoughttheballwasahomerunandsloweddownenoughonhiswayaroundsecondbasethathewasthrownoutathomeplate.TheYankeeswentontowinthegameintwelveinningsandultimatelytooktheseriesinfivegames.**Inthetopofthefirstinning,ClemensfiredthebarrelofPiazza’sbrokenbatinthedirectionoftheMets’catcher.TheincidentarousedheatedpublicdebateinlightofClemens’beaningofPiazzainJuly.Clemens,whowasnotejected,wentontopitcheightshutoutinnings,allowingjusttwohits,beforetheMetsralliedforfiverunsintheninth,butfellarunshortandlost,6-5.**SandyAlomarJr.hitagame-tyinghomerunoffRivera in theeighth inning inGameFourof the1997AmericanLeagueDivisionSeries;Clevelandwonthegameandtheseriesinfivegames.ThiswasRivera’sonlyblownsaveintheplayoffsuntil2001.**Payton’s bases-loaded, two-out triple off Rivera tied the game in the ninth inning, andMelvinMoradroppeddownanRBIbuntsingleinthetenthasBaltimoreeliminatedtheYankeesfromthepostseasonforthefirsttimeintenyearswithastunning10-9comebackwinatCamdenYards,onSeptember28,2007.*SalmonwasthefirstplayertogetahitoffRivera.IthappenedinthefirstinningofRivera’smajorleaguedebut, as a startingpitcher against theCaliforniaAngels atAnaheimStadium,onMay23, 1995. Salmonsingledinthefirstinning,doubledinthethirdandwalkedinthefourthtoknockRiveraoutofthegame,whichwasa10-0Yankees’loss.

SalmonfacedRiverathirteenmoretimesafterRivera’sdebut.Heneverreachedbaseagain.ThenexttimeRiverafacedtheAngelswasoneyearlater,onMay17,1996,whenheclosedoutan8-5Yankees’winforthefirstsaveofhiscareer.

*The1993AmericanLeague’srookieoftheyear,SalmonistheAngels’all-timeleaderinhomeruns(299)and walks (970) and second in hits (1,674), runs batted in (1,016), on-base percentage, and sluggingpercentage.HewasalsoamemberoftheAngels’2002WorldSerieschampionshipteam.*Simmshitaone-twopitchfromRiveraoverthecenterfieldfenceintheninthinningofaYankees’6-4winover theRangersatYankeeStadium,onAugust14,1998.AndyPettittegot thewin.Riverahas saved72winsforPettitte,arecordforanycloser/startercombination.**Clarkwas2-for-9facingRiverawiththeSanFranciscoGiants,TexasRangers,BaltimoreOrioles,andSt.LouisCardinalsfrom1986to2000.Greerwas4-for-15facingRiverawiththeTexasRangersfrom1994to2002.McLemorewas5-for-19facingRiverawiththeAnaheimAngels,ClevelandIndians,HoustonAstros,BaltimoreOrioles,TexasRangers,SeattleMariners,andOaklandAthleticsfrom1986to2004.*Riverapickedupatwo-inningsavetogivetheYankeesa3-1victoryoverthePhilliesinGameTwoofthe2009World Series.Matt Stairs struck out swinging on a two-and-two pitch to end the gamewith RaulIbanezonsecondbaseasthetyingrun.*SuzukifacedRiverainthe2001AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeriesasamemberoftheMarinersandwas1-for-2.HedoubledinGameOneandgroundedoutinGameFive.TheYankeeswontheseriesinfivegames.**SuzukihitthefirstpitchhesawfromRiveradeepovertherightfieldfenceforatwo-runwalk-offhomerunastheMarinersdefeatedtheYankees,3-2,onSeptember18,2009,inSeattle.*WellshitRivera’ssecondpitchovertheleftfieldfenceinthebottomoftheeleventhinningforawalk-off5-4victoryfortheBlueJaysatRogersCentre,onJuly20,2006.**Riverahasgivenupfivewalk-offhomerunsinhiscareer:toBillSelby,BillMueller,Wells,MarcoScutaro,andIchiroSuzuki.

SectionThree:Catchers

O

SalFasanoCatcher

PlayingCareerKansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Anaheim Angels,BaltimoreOrioles,PhiladelphiaPhillies,NewYorkYankees,TorontoBlueJays,ClevelandIndiansfrom1996to2008


SalFasanofacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-4,2strikeouts

MoCred

TheNewYorkYankeescatcherfor28gamesin2006wasbehindtheplatefor1ofRivera’s652careersaves.

SalFasano

Year Date Result1996 4/22 Flyout1998 8/9 Strikeout(Swinging)2000 5/30 Flyout2006 6/20 Strikeout(Swinging)

UT INTHE bullpen,we’d talk all the time.What a lot of people don’tunderstand about Mariano is that he was very prepared and hecommunicatedverywell.Hewasatremendousteammate.Hereallytook

an interest. Ifheknewthatyouweregoing tocatchhim,hewould talk toyouaboutwhathewantedtodo.

Itwasreallyfundivingintowhathisheadwaslikeandhowhepitches.That’swhatmakeshimsounique.Heneverpitchedtohomeplate.Hepitchedtothebodylineofthebatter.Ifaleft-handedhitterwouldbackup,hewouldn’tworryaboutthrowingastrike.Hewouldthrowitinthesamelaneasifthebatterwasinaconventionalposition.

Versus leftieshewas trying togetcloser to thehandsandversus rightieshewas trying to get away from the barrel, away from the hands, more to theextensionside.Sotoarightyhewasgoingmoretotheothersideoftheplate.Buthecouldthrowitinonthem,too.He’dthrowitinsideandyou’dthinkitwasaballandallofasuddenitmovesbacktotheinsidecornerandyou’refrozen.

I’venever seenhim throw it straight. It’s just thenaturalmovement thathehas.Hecouldelevateit,hecouldmakeitmovemore,hecouldmakeitmoveless,he could sink it. He could throw to all nine quadrants and expand off thequadrants.Hewasspecial.Hewasanabsolutepleasuretocatch.

Itwasaspecialtimeinmylife.I’llneverforgetit.Itwasfunbecauseyoujustknewhewasgoingtogettheouts.I’mtellingyou,man,itwasunbelievable.

MoRespect

FranciscoCervelliCervelliwasbehindtheplatefor34ofRivera’s652careersaves.

I’vefacedhiminspringtraining.Ithinkit’sbettertocatchhim!IthankGodI’monhisside,soIcancatchMariano,becausehe’snoteasytohit.

JohnFlahertyCatcher

PlayingCareerBostonRedSox,DetroitTigers,SanDiegoPadres,TampaBayRays,NewYork

W

Yankeesfrom1992to2005


JohnFlahertyfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-4,1extra-basehit,1runbattedin,1strikeout,.250battingaverage,.250on-basepercentage,.500sluggingpercentage

MoCredFlahertywasbehindtheplatefor32ofRivera’s652careersaves.

JohnFlaherty

Year Date Result1995 9/24 Groundout1999 7/21 Double(1RBI)2000 7/1 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/2 Flyout

ITHMARIANO, ITwas never the pitch—itwas location.Hedoesn’tshake off. He’s very trusting of the catcher and what the catcher isfeelingorseeing.Thatwasalwaysgratifyingbecauseyoufeltlikewhen

hepickedup a save, youhad something to dowith it. Let’s be honest, he canthrowtheballwhereverhewantsandheisprobablygoingtobesuccessful.Butfromacatcher’sstandpoint,hemakesyoufeelthatyouhadsomethingtodowithit.

You almost have to fight against being overconfident or being too relaxedbehindtheplate.Helullsyoutosleep,becauseyouknowtheballisgoingtoberightwhereyourgloveissetup.Thelatelifeissomethingyouhavetobereadyfor,butIthinkbecauseofhisoutstandingcontrol,hewasjustsoeasytocatch.

Thehittersknowwhatpitchiscoming;theyjustdon’tknowwhereit’sgoingto be. When a lefty takes a swing and pulls the ball foul, everybody in the

T

ballpark is like,“Oh,he’sallover thecutter.”Mariano is like,“No,hecan’tdoanythingwithit,soI’mgoingtokeep[throwing]it.”

MostclosersIhadbeenarounddidn’tcareaboutanythinguntil theseventhinning,whentheygottheirrhythmgoing.Marianopaysattentionfromthefirstpitch.Hecaresabouttheentireclub,andwho’splayingtherightway.

DarrinFletcherCatcher

PlayingCareerLosAngelesDodgers,PhiladelphiaPhillies,MontrealExpos,andTorontoBlueJaysfrom1989to2002


DarrinFletcherfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-6,3strikeouts

MoCred

Fletcherstruckoutasaneighth-inningpinchhitteragainstRiveratoleavethebasesloadedinagametheYankeeswon,3-2,overtheExposatYankeeStadiumonDonMattinglyDay,onAugust31,1997.Riveraearnshis40thsaveoftheseason,markingthefirstofarecordninetimesinwhichhewillreach40ormoresavesinaseason.

OFACEHIScutfastballisthetoughestassignmentinbaseballtome.Hethrowsitthighhigh,innerhalfoftheplate,wheremostleft-handedhitterslike theball, and then it justkeeps followingyou.You think it’sover the

inner half of the plate, and it just keeps coming at you. It’s the best pitch in

baseball.

DarrinFletcher

Year Date Result1997 8/31 Strikeout(Swinging)1998 7/18 Flyout2000 9/13 Strikeout(Swinging)2001 4/19 Strikeout(Looking) 9/5 Popout2002 7/16 Groundout

We have this saying that a pitcher “gets in your kitchen.” Rivera’s cuttercontinually gets in yourkitchen, andyoucannotget it out.Healmostkindoflullsyoutosleepwithhisdelivery.Itgivesyouafalsesenseofsecurity,andthentheballisonyouandit’sexploding.

Thebestwaytoapproachhim,Itoldmyselfeveryyear,istotrytomakesuretheballisintheouterhalfofthestrikezone,andifit’snot,thentakeit,andhopeforawalk.

ToddGreeneCatcher

PlayingCareerAnaheim Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers,ColoradoRockies,andSanFranciscoGiantsfrom1996to2006


I

ToddGreenefacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-4,1extra-basehit,.500battingaverage,.750on-basepercentage,.750sluggingpercentage

MoCredGreenespentoneseasonwiththeYankeesasRivera’steammatein2001andwasthecatcherforfiveofRivera’ssaves,includingcareersaveNo.200.

ToddGreene

Year Date Result1998 8/26 Double1999 6/18 Foulout2003 8/7 Flyout2004 6/9 Single

CAUGHTMARIANORIVERA’S200thsave.WhenMarianowasgoingintothe game, I didn’t know it was going to be his 200th save. Afterward,[Yankees’ owner] George Steinbrenner sent a bottle of champagne to the

clubhouse to congratulateMo. Itwas the good stuff—DomPerignon—Georgewasn’tgoingtosendthecheapstuff.SinceModidn’tdrink,hegavethatbottleofchampagnetome.ItookithomeandIstillhaveit.IonlyplayedwithMothatoneyear;soforhimtosharethatspecialmomentwithme,thatwasabigdeal.ThemostamazingthingaboutMoisthathe’sawaybetterpersonthanheisabaseballplayer.He’sasolidindividual,agreathumanbeing,andsomeonethatIwasgladtoshareayearwith.*

HemightbethemostintensecompetitorIeverplayedwith.He’dratherbiteoffhisfingerthanblowasave.Itwasn’tvisuallynoticeabletospectatorsoreventosomeofhis teammates.Whenhe’sonthemound,you look inhiseyes,andyouknowthisguyisreadytogetyourassout.Oneofthecoolthingsaboutbeingacatcherwasthatyoucouldlookintothepitchers’eyes,andyoucouldseewhowasscaredandwhowasnot,andwhowasagamerandwhowasnot.MowasasintenseasanybodyI’veeverbeenonthefieldwith.

IrememberhowwellhehandledthelossafterGameSevenofthe2001World

Series.Therewereguyswhowereveryupset;butModidn’tshyawayfromthereporters,hedidn’t shyaway fromthemoment.Heansweredall thequestionswithgraceanddignity.That’sprobablynot a shock toanybody.Sometimes inbaseballthevillainsaren’tquitethevillainsthey’remadeouttobeinthemedia,andthegoodguysaren’talwaysquiteasgoodasthey’remadeouttobe,either.But that’snot truewithMo.He’saclass individual.Toseehimhave thesamemannerinacceptingdefeatasheacceptssuccesswasimpressive.*

Themost surprising [aspect] about that gamewasn’t the blown save. ItwasMarianomakingabad throwonthebunt.Mowas thebestdefensivepitcher Ieverplayedwith,andIplayedwithKennyRogers,whowon[five]GoldGloves.Mariano was an incredible defender, so for him to throw the ball away wasextremelyuncharacteristic.Thenextplaywasanotherbunt—JayBellbuntedtheballbacktohim—andhehadthewherewithaltothrowtheballtothirdbasefortheout.YouhavetogivecreditonMo’sbehalf;hehadjustthrowntheballaway,butthenattheverynextopportunityhestillhastheabilitytomakeagreatplay.

Thefinaloutofhis200thsavewasatwo-seamer[toretireIvanRodriguezonagroundouttosecondbase].Iprobablycalledformoretwo-seamfastballsthananyothercatcherthatworkedwithMo.Heobviouslythrowsagreatcutter,buthistwo-seamerisnasty,too.Earlyon,hedidn’tusethetwo-seamerverymuchbecausehedidn’tneed it. I felt itwas sogood that itwascrazynot touse it. Ilikedtouseallthepitches.Thatwasaroundthetimewhensometeamsstartedtopinch-hit for left-handedbatterswith their righties. I felt that throwinga two-seamerthatcomesinonthehandsoftherightiesmighteliminatesomeofthatpinch-hitting andwewould get thematch-upswewanted anyway,whichwaswiththelefties.ButMothrewthepitcheshewantedtothrow.Ifhedidn’twanttothrowa[two-seamfastball],hewouldshakeyouoffandthrowacutter.

Battingagainsthim,Irememberhittingaballofftheright-centerfieldwalloffofhim in1998with theAngels. I couldhit a fastball as goodas anybody, andMarianobackthenwasstillthrowing95to97milesanhourwiththatcutter.It’snice tohavegoodnumbersagainsthim;I’ll take it, though in limitedat-bats. IwishIhadalotmoreat-batsagainsthim.*

JesseLevis

I

Catcher

PlayingCareerClevelandIndiansandMilwaukeeBrewersfrom1992to2001

CareerStatistics319games,167hits,3homeruns,60runsbatted in, .255battingaverage, .336on-basepercentage,.307sluggingpercentage

JesseLevisfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-5,0extra-basehits,1walk,1strikeout,.200battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage,.200sluggingpercentage

MoCredLevisfacedRiveraasastartingpitcherintheminorleaguesandasbothastarterandrelieverinthemajors.

FIRSTFACEDMARIANOin1994,whenwewereminorleaguersinTripleA.HewasastartingpitcherforColumbusandIwaswithCharlotte.Hehadanelectric fastball,with late life.When theball got about ten feet from the

hitteritalmostseemedtopickupspeed.IthinkhewalkedmeandstruckmeoutinourTripleAconfrontations.*

JesseLevis

Year Date Result1996 7/4 Groundout 7/6 Single 7/20 Walk 9/25 Groundout1997 6/6 Groundout 6/8 Strikeout(Swinging)

MyfirstmeetingagainstMarianoasamajorleaguerwaswiththeBrewersin

YankeeStadiumin1996.Marianohadjuststartedthrowinganastycutter.RoyHalladayperfectedacutterearlyinhiscareer,butbackinthemid-to-late1990s,Mariano was one of the few guys throwing that pitch. His cutter was like nootherthatI’veeverseen.Thevelocitywas95milesperhourandjustasyoustartyourswingthen—oops—theballmovessixoreightinchesonyourhands.**

Heprettymuchgotintoyourheadasaleft-handedhitterbecauseifhelocatesthe pitch properly, like he always did, he could saw off your bat. That’s whyswitch hitters have [batted] against him hitting right-handed. I remember[Indiansteammate]CarlosBaergadoingthat.Hemayhavegoneupthereright-handedbecausethecutterwassofilthyhedidn’twanttobreakhisfingersonajamjob.***

Iremembergettingapinch-hitsingletoleftfieldoffMariano.Heleftapitchoutover theplateand I lined it into left, averybigbasehit formeasapinchhitter.*Afterthatsingle,Ididn’tgetanotherhitoffhim.Iworkedawalkoffhimonetimelateinagame.Irememberthatwalkbecauseitwasarealtoughat-bat.Ibattledhimandfoughtoffpitches.Igottoathree-and-twocountandhethrewacutterreallytooclosetotake.Iwasfortunatethattheumpirecalleditaball.**

WhenIwaswiththeIndiansin1999,IgottoplaywithRobertoAlomar,oneof themost talentedand smartestplayers I everplayedwith.***He toldme toback off the plate and see if Mariano would go back door, to throw the balltoward the outer half of the plate. So I took Robby’s advice and made thatadjustment.Sureenough,Marianothrewback-doorcutters,whichareeasiertohitonthebarrelofthebat.Igroundedout,andIdidn’tfacehimagainafterthat.

I absolutely loved the challenge of facing the greatest pitchers in the game.Whether it’s Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, or Mariano Rivera, you alwayshopetogivethemagreatbattle.Maybeitwasn’tabattleforthem,butitsurewasforme! Even though theymight have gottenme out, itwas quite a thrill andsomethingyoudreamaboutasalittlekid.

RussellMartinCatcher

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PlayingCareerLosAngelesDodgers,NewYorkYankees,andPittsburghPiratessince2006


RussellMartinfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)

0-for-1,1strikeout

MoCred

MartinspenttwoseasonswiththeYankeesasRivera’steammatein2011and2012andwasthecatcherfor37ofRivera’s652saves,includingtherecord-setting602ndsave.

ATCHING MARIANO FOR that [record-setting 602nd] save wasdefinitely a very special day for me. Especially to get the last out on astrikeout like that—on a perfect pitch—we’re probably going to be

watchingthatreplayforaverylongtime.*

RussellMartin

Year Date Result2010 6/27 Strikeout(Looking)

Thatmanysavesisincredible.Hedeservesit.He’soneofthehardest-workingguysI’veeverseenandhe’sbeendoingitatahighlevelforalongtime.Whenyouseeaguythatworksthathardandisthatprepared,youexpecthimtogooutthere anddowhat he’s supposed to do.Modoes it consistently every timehegoesout.

It’s funny, because on his 600th save I didn’t even realize it, until everyone

started hugging him and giving him high fives. He probably wishes I didn’tthrowout[Seattle’sIchiroSuzukitryingtostealsecondbase],sohecouldgetapunchout.Wegotthewin,firstandforemost,andhegotthe600thsave,whichisaniceroundnumber.*

His focus level isamazing.Henever reallycomesoutofhisgame.Heneverlosesfocus.Hekeepshiscomposureatalltimes.That’swhatamazesmethemostabouthim.Howhecanstaycomposedandmakepitches,pitchafterpitchafterpitch.Becausehe’sacloser,it’salwaysatightsituation,it’salwayspressurefilled,butit’sreallyeasytocatchhimbecauseofhiscommand.

Myfirst timecatchinghimwas inspring training[in2011].Weneverdidabullpen [session], so the first time catching himwas during a game situation,even though itwas spring training.He’sawesome thewayhecanhithis spots[on]bothsidesoftheplate.Hehaspinpointcontrol.Youdon’tmoveyourglovemuchatall.Itwasapleasurecatchinghim.

Hehasgoodlifeonthecutter.Ithasverylatemovement.Oncethehitterstartsto swing, that’s when it startsmoving. That’s the best cutter I’ve ever caught.Normally,youseesomesortofspinontheball.Withhis,youdon’tseethespin,there’snosidespin.Itjustcuts.Idon’tknowhowhedoesit.

Hehascommandonbothsidesoftheplate.Hestartsitinofftheplateagainsttherighty,anditendsuponthecorner.Itfeelslikeyou’vegottoswingataballthat is going to hit your front knee and the next thing you know, it’s on thecorner.Foralefty,it’sachallengetokeeptheballfair.Whenhe’sonandhittinghisspots,you’renotgoingtodomuchdamageagainsthim.

It’sbetterbeingbackbehindtheplatethanbeinginthe[batter’s]boxagainsthim.ButIgotahitoffhiminthe[2008]All-StarGame.*

ChadMoellerCatcher

PlayingCareerMinnesotaTwins,ArizonaDiamondbacks,MilwaukeeBrewers,CincinnatiReds,LosAngelesDodgers,NewYorkYankees, andBaltimoreOrioles from2000 to

E

2010


ChadMoellerfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-2,0extra-basehits,.500battingaverage,.500on-basepercentage,.500sluggingpercentage

MoCredMoeller,aback-upcatcherfortheYankeesin2008,wasbehindtheplatefor5ofRivera’s652careersaves.

ChadMoeller

Year Date Result2000 7/30 Single2009 5/20 Lineout

ASIESTGUYI’VEevercaught.Plainandsimple,theeasiestguyI’veevercaught. You know where the ball’s going to be every time. And it’s justamazing that everybody knows what’s coming, and nobody’s going to

squareitup.He’sthrownthesamepitchoverandoverandover,andnobody’sdoneanythingwithityet.

Facinghimyou’rejustpickingaside[ofhomeplate].Notthepitch,you’rejustpicking a side. He has a two-seam fastball, which he started using for right-handersalittlebit,justwhenIthinkhereallywantedtoembarrassthem.*

But he could always lock the right-handers up because he’d throw the ballrightatthem,andthey’djumpoutofthewayanditwasstrikethree.It’dcomerightinthefrontdoor.

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GustavoMolinaCatcher

PlayingCareerChicagoWhite Sox, BaltimoreOrioles, NewYorkMets, Boston Red Sox, andNewYorkYankeesfrom2007to2011

CareerStatistics26games,6hits,0homeruns,1runbattedin,2runs,.128battingaverage,.160on-basepercentage,.170sluggingpercentage

MoCredMolina,aback-upYankeescatcherin2011,wasbehindtheplatefor1ofRivera’s652careersaves.Molinacaughttwelvepitchesintheninthinningofa5-2winovertheTexasRangers,onApril16,2011.ItwasRivera’s575thsave.

FEELBLESSED [FOR] the chance to catch him. I’ve caught a lot of goodpitchers,buthe’sthetopone.Healwayssaid,“Givemeagoodtarget,alowtargetorahightarget,andI’llhitit.”*Hedominatesthewholeplate—inandout,upanddown—withonepitch.He

throwsonepitch,acutter.It’sunbelievable.Thebattersknowwhat’scomingandtheystillcan’thitit.It’simpressiveonbothsides—catchinghimandfacinghim.Speed,power,andcontrolonbothsidesoftheplate.

The most amazing stuff I’ve ever caught. He’s something special. You willneversee[thelikesofhim]again.He’samachine.

[When the injury occurred] you knew he felt bad for his team and theorganizationaboutwhathappened.It’sgreattoseehecamebackandispitchingsowell.

MoRespect

SalvadorPerezTheyoungKansasCityRoyalscatcher,whois1-for-4facingRivera,oncatchingRivera’sfinalAll-StarGameappearanceatCitiFieldinNewYork,onJuly16,2013.

SalvadorPerez

Year Date Result2011 8/15 Groundout 8/16 Strikeout(Swinging)2013 5/11 Double 5/12 Doubleplay

Itwasunbelievable.To seehimcoming through thebullpen like thatand catchinghim, itwas thebestthing.Iwillneverforgetitinmylife.

Iwasalittlenervous,forsure.Iwentouttotalktohim,andhetoldme:“Justgiveatargetdownandaway.IfIshakeyouoff,Iwillgoinside.”

Isaid:“Okay,that’seasy.”Whentheinningwasover,Itoldhim,“Goodjob,youarethebestpitcherintheleague.Iamsoproudto

catchyouinyourlastAll-StarGame.Thismeansalottome.”

MoRespect

WilNievesNieveswasbehindtheplateforoneofRivera’s652careersaves.

HeloveseatingatBenihana.Hewouldalwayscallmeandsay:“Wil,let’sgotoBenihana.”It’salwaysnicetohavehimaround,tosoakupwhateveryoucanfromhim.He’sjustagreatpitcher,

andpeopleobviouslyknowhimasaplayer.Buthe’sabetterpersonthanaplayer.

A.J.PierzynskiCatcher

PlayingCareerMinnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox

T

since1998


A.J.PierzynskifacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-16,1extra-basehit,1walk,1hitbypitch,3strikeouts,.063battingaverage,.167on-basepercentage,.125sluggingpercentage

MoCredPierzynski’s.063battingaverageisthelowestofanyplayerwithahitagainstRivera.HegaveRiveraabattleduringaten-pitchat-batonApril27,2011.

OGETTO tenpitcheswithMariano, Imean, it’s theendof thegame; itisn’tMoneyBall,whereyouwanttogethispitchcountup!There’snosuchthingasamoralvictoryinbaseball.*

The first time I facedMarianoRiverawas atYankee Stadium in 2001.Thatwasalongtimeago.IwaswiththeTwinsthen.Igotahit[offhim]myfirstat-bat. He threwme a cutter and I [hit] it over the third baseman’s head for adouble down the left-field line.At that point Iwas one-for-one against him. IthoughtIownthisguy.Ihaven’tgottenahitsince.NowI’m1for14.He’smadeupthedifference.*

A.J.Pierzynski

Year Date Result2001 5/10 Double2002 5/10 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/11 Groundout 5/17 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/19 Walk(Hitbypitch)2003(Postseason) 10/2 Lineout2006 7/14 Flyout 8/8 Fielder’schoice

8/9 Lineout2007 5/16 Groundout 6/5 Groundout 6/7 Strikeout(Swinging)2008 4/23 Groundout 9/15 Groundout2009 8/2 Walk2011 4/27 Groundout 8/1 Groundout2013 6/25 Flyout 7/25 Fielder’schoice

IrememberonetimefacingMarianoinYankeeStadiumwhen[Ken]Griffeywasonourteam.GriffwasgivingmegriefbecauseIwassaying,“Oh,great,I’mgoingtobreakabatagain.”

Hesaid,“Haveconfidence.”SoItoldhim,“I’msoconfidentI’mgoingtouseyourbat.”Itookhisbat,andI’mupthereinhisstance,andIhittheballthreeinchesin

frontofhomeplate.[YankeescatcherJorge]Posadapickeduptheballandthrewmeoutforthelastoutofthegame.Icamebacktothedugoutholdingapieceof[Griffey’s]bat,andItoldhim,“There’syourconfidence,Griff!”**

You’reatadisadvantagebecausehenevermakesamistakeandhisballmovessolate.Youknowwhatpitchiscoming,butitdoesn’tmatter,youstillcan’thitit.Youhavetwochoices.Youcaneitherhittheballoutfrontandthenyouhookitfoul,oryoucanlet[theball]getdeepandthenitbreaksyourbat,oryouhitaweak ground ball. You’re stuck in between. You can’t take a pitch, because itseemsheneverthrowsaball,healwaysputsitintheperfectspot.You’refightinganuphillbattlebecausehe’ssogood.

IwascatchinghimintheAll-StarGamein2002andIwaslaughingbecausetheNationalLeaguebattershadneverfacedhimbefore.Theydidn’tknowwhattoexpect.Youcanwatchhimontelevisionandwonder,“Howdopeoplenothitthat?”Butuntilyoustepintothe[batter’s]boxyoudon’trealizehowhardheistohit, andhowmuch [his ball]moves.At thatAll-StarGame, I askedhim toshowmehowheholdshiscutter.HeshowedmethegripandItrytoreplicateitwhen [I fool aroundand] I throwmybullpen sessions. I can’t throw it likehedoes.Thenagain,nobodycan.*

WhyamIdoingthisinterview?Becausehe’sMarianoRivera,andeveryoneisone-for-fourteen off the guy!Whenever I see him I just laugh, and he laughsback.Inaway,it’sfunfacinghim,becauseyouknowthehistoryandyouknow

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whathe’sdoneinhiscareer.Butyoualsoknowyou’regoingtoloseonebat,he’llbreakatleastone,sowhenyougouptotheplatetofaceMariano,youtakeyourleast popular bat, your least favorite bat. He owes Louisville Slugger a ton ofmoney!Ifigure,withallthosebatsI’vesacrificedovermycareer,Ioweittohimtogivehimsomepraise.

JorgePosadaCatcher

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesfrom1995to2011


MoCredPosadawasbehindtheplatefor368ofRivera’s652careersaves,andteamedwithRiveratowinfourWorldSerieschampionshipsin1998,1999,2000,and2009.

EDON’TGET to theplayoffs,wedon’twinchampionships,wedon’tdo a lot of the things thatwewere able to dowithout this guy.Mo’sspecial.It’sjustnotaboutwhathebringstothefield,he’saspecialman.

He’saquietleader,butaverylegitleaderintheclubhouse.TherewillneverbeanybodylikeMarianoRivera.There’snobodythat’sgoingtocomeclosetowhathe’sbeenabletodo.

The best thing about catching him is I never had to bat against him. It’samazingthathe’sbeenabletodoitforsolongwithonepitch,whichheexecutesoverandoveragain.Iknowhimsowell.Hestandsthereonthemound,andIjustgiveasignforlocation—eitherinoraway—andhegoesaheadandthrowsit.You’recallingthepitch,soyouknowwhat’scoming.You’repreparedforit.Thepitchbreakseitherthiswayorthatway.

Everybody talks abouthis cutterbut [where]heputs a cutter iswhatmakes

himsoeffective.Oneof those thingsaboutMariano,hehasgreatcontrol, thatcutterwillnotgoaway.Ican’tputhimintowords.Peopledon’tunderstandhowgoodhehasbeen.He’saperfectexampleofcommittingtowhatyoudo.There’snobodybetter.

ThefirsttimeImethim,ithadtobeintheInstructionalLeague,in1991.Hewasgoingthroughrehab.Hehadhadelbowsurgeryandhewasjusttossing[aball]hereandthere.Marianoisafreakofnature.Hisheartishumongous.SoIknewMarianowasgoing tobe100percent [recovered fromhisknee injuryof2012].IexpectedMarianotocomebackandbetheoldMariano.

Nothinghedoessurprisesme.Ithinkhecanpitchthree,fourmoreyears.It’suptohim.I’mprettysurethathecanstilldoit.Buthisfamilywantshimhome.That’s the toughest thing.AsYankee fans,wewanthimherebecauseweneedhimhere.

CurtainCallJorgePosadaurgedMarianoRiveratogetbackonthemoundtosoakintheYankeeStadiumcrowd’scheersafterRiverasurpassedTrevorHoffmanwithhisrecord-setting602ndcareersavebyclosingouta6-4winoverMinnesotaonSeptember19,2011.

[Theidea]justcameinmyhead.Isaid,“Stayonthemoundalittlelonger.”Itwashismoment,soweneededhimtostayonthemound.Iwassuperexcited.Thiswasanimportant

moment.Nobody,ever,isgoingtogetevenclosetothis.It’samazingwewerewatching[himsetrecords]rightinfrontofus.

Askedtodescribethatmoment,Riverasaid:“Oh,myGod.Forthefirsttimeinmycareer,I’monthemoundalone.There’snoonebehindme,nooneinfrontofme.Ican’tdescribethatfeelingbecauseitwaspriceless.”

MoRespect

JorgePosadaPosadareleasedthisstatementpraisingRiveraonthedayRiveraheldapressconferencetoannouncehisretirement,onMarch9,2013.

ThereisonlyoneMarianoRivera.Therewon’tbeanotherpersonwhowillcomealonganddowhathedid.Noonedoesitlikehim.ItwasanhonortocatchhimandplayalongsidehimforaslongasIdid.Hemademyjobasacatchersomucheasier.Marianoisaspecialpersonandobviouslyaspecialplayer.

I’msohappyheisgoingoutonhisterms.Noweverytimehestepsintoaballparkthisyear,teamsandfanscancelebrateandappreciatewhathehasmeanttothisgreatgameweplay.

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AustinRomineCatcher


CareerStatistics69games,31hits,1homerun,10runsbattedin,.201battingaverage,.248on-basepercentage,.279sluggingpercentage

MoCredRominehasbeenbehindtheplatefor12ofRivera’s652careersaves.

REMEMBERTHEFIRSTtimeIcaughthim;Iwasmakingmymajorleaguedebut.Icaughthis599thcareersave.IremembernotevenknowingwhereIwasandjusttryingnottomessitupforhim.*Sincethiswasmydebut, Iwaskindglad itwas justover. IwasgladIdidn’t

mess anythingup. I rememberhe toldme, “Great job,” andpattedmeon thechest. I thinkheknewthat Iwasa littleworkedupbeingmyfirst timeandhemademefeelrealcomfortable.

Iwentout to talk tohimwhenhe firstcame into thegameandhewas like,“Justgo.Relaxandhavefun.We’regoingtogetthroughthis.”

Hedidn’thavetosayanything.Hecouldhavejustcomeinthereandsaid,“Gobackthereandgocatch,”buthemademefeelcomfortableandcalm.That’swhoheisandwhathedoestothepeoplearoundhim.

TerrySteinbachCatcher

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PlayingCareerOaklandAthleticsandMinnesotaTwinsfrom1986to1999


TerrySteinbachfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)1-for-13,0extra-basehits,0RBIs,4strikeouts,.077battingaverage,.077on-basepercentage,.077sluggingpercentage

MoCredSteinbachwasthecatcherfortheformidableOaklandAthleticsteamsthatwonthreeconsecutiveAmericanLeaguepennants(1988–90)andthe1989WorldSeries.Athree-timeAll-Star,SteinbachwastheMostValuablePlayerofthe1988game.HeiscurrentlythebenchcoachfortheMinnesotaTwins.

TerrySteinbach

Year Date Result1995 5/28 Strikeout(Swinging) 5/28 Flyout 5/28 Flyout 6/6 Strikeout(Looking) 6/6 Groundout 9/1 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/1 Groundout1996 5/21 Strikeout(Looking) 5/31 Lineout 6/2 Single 8/23 Popout 9/2 Flyout1997 8/9 Popout

HYAREYOUtalkingtome?Youshouldbetalkingtoguyswho’vehitoffhimandhadsuccess.[Laughs.]Irememberhimearlyinhiscareerasastarterandmiddlereliever.Myapproach[whenfacingRivera]wasnot

toosuccessful.I triedtobeaggressiveearlyinthecount,becausemaybe, inhismind,he’s trying to throwaget-me-overpitch togetahead in thecount. Ifhegetstwostrikesonyou,becausehehassuchgoodcommand,andhecanlocatehis pitches so consistently and throw the ball where he wants to, he’s almostunhittable.Tobequitefrank,Ididnotliketogetintoanytwo-strikecountswithhimbecauseIthinkmoreoftenthannot,he’sgoingtocomeoutahead.*

Idistinctlyrememberseeingthecutterforthefirsttime.IwasplayingwiththeTwinsandwewenttoTampatoplay[theYankeesin1997in]aspringtraininggame.WhenMarianocameintothegame,ScottyUllger,whonowistheTwins’firstbasecoachbutat the timewasourhittingcoach,hegivesus the scoutingreportandsays: “Weknowhimfromearly inhiscareerwhenhewasa starterandmiddlereliefguy.”

Andnow,allofsudden,Marianostartsthrowingthecutterand[thepitch]isdarting in and out, and we come back to the bench and say, “What is hethrowing?”

Hecameupwithacutterandthatpitchcatapultedhimtothecloserrole.SoIwas there for the introduction of the cutter and the beginning of thisphenomenalcareerthat’shehad.

Whatmakeshimsodifficulttohitishislocation.Riveraissoprecisewithhispitches. Even though you know the cutter is coming, he has tremendouscommandofthatpitch.Hecanthrowitawayfromtherightiesandhecanrunitinonthelefties.HiscontrolisphenomenalandyouhavetogiveMarianocreditmentally,too,becausehispitchselectionisalsoverygood.Hedoesmixinfour-seamfastballseverynowandthen,eventhoughthecutterishisbreadandbutter[pitch].Hecanalsofrontdoorthecuttertotherighties.Againstaright-handedhitter,likeIwas,helikedtothrowthecutterawayandhavemegooutthereandchase it.Buteveryonce inawhilehewould throwa front-doorcutter, [whichmeans]hethrowstheballatthehitterandallowsittobreakovertheinsidepartoftheplate.Andwhenhemixesinastraightfour-seamer,wow,itreallymakesitdifficultforthehittertoputtheballinplay.

Now that I’m thebench coach, Idon’t think I’ll giveourplayers any advice[beforetheyfaceRivera].I’mone-for-thirteenagainsthim,soIdon’tthinkI’mtheguytheyshouldbeasking.Ithinktheymightbebetteroffontheirown.*

MoRespect

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ChrisStewartTheNewYorkYankeesformercatcherwasbehindtheplatefor28ofRivera’s652careersaves.

Beingback there andhaving the experiencewithhim, knowing that I’ll be able to tellmykids andmygrandkidsIcaughtoneofthebestpitchers—ifnotthebest—ofalltime,it’satrulyhumblingmomentforme.It’sablessingthatI’vebeencherishingfortheentireseason.

I’llgooutthereandsecondguesshimeverynowandthen,buthe’sbeendoingthis forever,soIdon’tknowifit’smesecondguessingmyselforwhat.Heknowswhathe’sdoingoutthere,andIlethimdohisthing,andobviouslymostofthetimeitworksoutprettywell.

KellyStinnettCatcher

PlayingCareerNewYorkMets,MilwaukeeBrewers,ArizonaDiamondbacks,CincinnatiReds,PhiladelphiaPhillies,KansasCityRoyals,NewYorkYankees,St.LouisCardinalsfrom1994to2007


MoCredStinnett,aYankeesback-upcatcherin2006,wasbehindtheplatefor2ofRivera’s652careersaves.

ATCHINGMARIANOWAS awesome. It’s fun to be able to put downone finger andknowyoucould sit in a rockingchairbehindhomeplateandthepitcherisgoingtobeabletolocatetobothsidesoftheplateand

hityourglove.Ineversawhimmissbad,theballisalwaysrightthere.Hehasagoodideaofwhathewantstodo,andexecutestothehilt.Hemight

throwashortercutterearlyinthecounttogetahead,butwithtwostrikes,hecanmakethepitchcutevenmore.Thefirstfewtimescatchinghiminspringtrainingand in thebullpen sessions I noticedhehad aheckof a sinker, too.Henever

threwitinagamebecausehedidn’twanttogetbeatbyit.The biggest factor aboutMo coming into the game is themindset that the

gameisover.Everysingleballplayerwhoseeshimwalkontothefieldknowshegoesoutthereanddoeshisjob.He’sgoingtogetthreeouts,thegameisover,it’sallsaidanddone.Ifyou’reonhis teamthenyougocelebrate.Aftercatchingasave,myadrenalinewaspumping;Iwasmoreexcitedthanhewas.

Ican’trememberanydifficultoutings;withhim,it’susuallyone,two,three.IdorememberagameinDetroitearlythatseason.CurtisGrandersoncametotheplate, andMariano’s firstpitchwasacutter inside foracalled strike. InoticedGrandersonmovehisfeetaninchortwoawayfromtheplate.Thenextpitchisafoulballoffhisknuckles.Samething,Iseehescootsbackanothertwoorthreeinchesoff theplate.Marianonotices, too.NextpitchIcall for isacutteraway,Marianohits theglove,strike three looking. Iwatchedmanya leftyhitterbackofftheplate,onlytohaveMarianothrowtotheothersideandcatchthecorner.Hecandothatanytimehewantsto.*

Inever facedhim ina regular seasongame,but I facedhim twice in springtraininggameswhen Iwaswith theReds from2001 to2003.ThatwasduringMariano’sheyday,thoughitseemseveryyearisaheydayforhim.WhenyoufaceapitcherlikeMarianoRivera,youdorememberyourat-batsagainsthim.Idon’tcareifit’sonabackfieldataBgameinspringtraining,youremember.

The first time I faced himwas inTampa and I struck out.You see the ballcoming,andyouthinkyoucanhitit,soyoustarttoswingattheballinacertainspot.Thentheballdisappears.Bythetimeyourbatheadgetstothespot,theballisgone.It’seitherbelowyourbatheadorattheendofyourbathead.

The second time I facedMariano, in Sarasota, now you knowwhat pitch iscoming—thecutter—andasaright-handedbatterhetakesawayyourpowerbymaking youhit theball theotherway. I hit a soft fly ball to right field.Gameover.

It’s so tough to hit his cutter because you can’t prepare for it. You can’tpractice hitting that pitch. There’s not a pitching machine in the world, or abatting practice pitcher anywhere, who can simulate that pitch. That’s whyMarianoissosuccessful.

MoRespect

TomWilson

WilsoncaughtRiveraintheYankees’minorleaguesystemin1994and1995,andplayedinthemajorleagueswithfourorganizations.Afterhisretirement,hebecameascoutfortheYankees.

TomWilson

Year Date Result2002 5/20 Groundout 7/16 Flyout2003 7/13 Strikeout(Swinging)

Idon’tcareifhewasn’tviewedasaprospectoutside[theorganization],ifyouplayedwithhimyouknewhewasspecial.Henevergotrattled.Thegamecametohimandhedealtwithit.

Abadinningorabadgame,youhadnoidea.Theexpressiononhisfaceneverchanged.Hewasaprothenlikeheisapronow.Nothinghaschanged.Hewasandistotallyunflappable.Youneversawaglimpseoffearornervousnessinhiseyes.Nosituationovercamehim;hecontrolledsituations.

GreggZaunCatcher

PlayingCareerBaltimoreOrioles,FloridaMarlins,TexasRangers,KansasCityRoyals,HoustonAstros,ColoradoRockies,TorontoBlueJays,TampaBayRays,andMilwaukeeBrewersfrom1995to2010


GreggZaunfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-16,1extra-basehit,1runbattedin,1walk,4strikeouts,.125battingaverage,.176on-basepercentage,.188sluggingpercentage

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MoCredThefirsttimeZauneverfacedRiverahedroveinanunearnedrunwithaforceoutintheYankees13-10winovertheOriolesatCamdenYards,onApril30,1996.

GreggZaun

Year Date Result1996 4/30 Groundout(1RBI) 6/28 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/13 Foulout2000 8/1 Groundout 8/3 Groundout2003 6/10 Groundout2004 7/26 Double 8/26 Groundout 10/2 Groundout2005 9/16 Single 9/25 Walk2006 4/19 Flyout 4/30 Popout 9/30 Strikeout(Swinging)2007 9/12 Strikeout(Swinging)2008 9/23 Strikeout(Looking)2009 5/10 Foulout

DIDN’TREALLYGET an opportunity to face him too often early inmycareer, because as a backup catcher, if the game was on the line, I wasn’tplaying.Ifacedhimseventeentimesinsixteenyears.Iwasn’tinthegameat

thosekeymoments,andmercifullyso.Allhedidwasfrustrateme.Iwas2-for-my-lifetimeagainstMo.Igothimforasingleandadouble.

Thedouble[in2004]wasaballIhitdowntheleft-fieldline.Itwasaforty-twohopper.A-Rodwasplayingmewayoffthethirdbaseline.Mothrewmeaback-doorcutter,andIsnakeditinbetweenA-Rodandthethirdbasebag.Thebasehit[in2005]cameasadirectresultof[Jason]Giambiplayingfirstbase.Ihitagroundball,andassoonasIhitit,herantofirstbase.Hadhetakentwostepstohisright,hewouldhavebeenabletomakeaneasybackhandplay.ButIthinkheassumed [secondbasemanRobinson]Canowasgoing toget it. So I feel Iwas

really1-for-16.Irememberfoulingtwoballsoffmyshinanddestroyingmyshinduringthatat-bat.Itwasaverypainfulat-bat.*

BothofmyhitsagainsthimwereintheRogersCentre[inToronto]withtheBlueJays.InevergotahitagainsthiminYankeeStadium.Ihitquiteafewballsintothethirddeck,andoffthefacingofthethirddeck,butwellfoul.Icouldn’tkeeptheball fairagainstMo.TheonlytimesIeverbarreledhimupwereballsthatwent foul. Ihadsomegoodbattleswithhim,but Inevercameouton thewinningend.

AfterIgotacoupleofhitsagainsthim,thenhestartedthrowingmethatback-doorcutter.Wheneverhe threwmeaback-doorcutter—somethingother thanthe typical pound-me-inside-on-my-knuckles-pitch—I’d laugh or giggle orhollerathimduringagame.

Therewereacoupleof timeswhenI lookedoutathim,andIsaid,“C’mon,reallyMo?Youcanrunthatpitchtobothsidesoftheplate?You’rethatgood?You’regoingtorubsaltinthewound?Yougetmeoutwitheaseanyway!Doyoureally have to rubmy nose in it by throwing a pitch on the other side of theplate?”

I never really had much of an approach against him. Some switch-hittersthoughtyoushouldbat right-handedagainsthim. Ihad that theory, too,but Iwas too chicken to go up there right-handed. I hadn’t seen a right-on-rightbreakingball sinceLittleLeague.WhenI thoughtaboutgoingupthereagainstMariano right-handed, with his 95-miles-an-hour cutter with a little bit ofwrinkle,therewasnochanceIwantedanypartofthat.

Mypridekepttellingme,oneofthesedays,I’mgoingtogethim,I’mgoingtosquarehimupandkeepitfair.I’llfinallyfigureouthowtohithim,andit’sgoingtomakeallthisagonythatI’vegonethroughalltheseyears,somehow,allworthit.That’sthewayitwentformostofmycareer.Guyswhoownedmeearlyon,Ifiguredouthowtohitthem.IfIfacedMarianoenoughtimes,Ithought,soonerorlater,I’mgoingtofigureitout,orhe’sgoingtomakeamistake.

NothingItriedworked.Hewasbreakingallmybats.ItgottothepointattheendofmycareerIwasorderingspecialbatsjustforhim.Iorderedhalfadozen32-inchbats.Inormallyuseda34-inchbat,but[Roberto]Alomartoldmetogetashorterbat,sothebarrelwouldbeclosertomyhandsbecausethat’swherealltheballswereendingup.Marianowasalwayspoundingmeinonmyknuckles.Ifiguredashorterbatwouldhelpmetobeabletogettothatinsidepitchalittlebetter.Unfortunately,afterIorderedthose32-inchbats,IwenttotheNational

Leaguewiththe[Milwaukee]BrewersandIdidn’tgetachancetofaceMarianoagain.Thosesix32-inchbatsnevergotused.

Guyswouldnottaketheirgoodwooduptobatagainsthim.Theywouldn’t.I’ve seenguyshave a favoritebat, one they’dbeen rollingwith for aweekandhalf,andwhenthey’dcomeupagainstMariano,theseguyswouldtakegarbagebattingpracticewoodupthere,becausetheyknewtheyhadnochance.Hehadpeoplebeatbeforetheyevensteppedinthebox.

Youknewtheat-batagainsthimwasgoingtobeextremelydifficult.He’ssogoodatprotectingleadsbecauseyourarelysawhimgiveupmultiplehitsinaninning,andhedoesn’twalkanybody.That’swhyalotofguystriedtotakehimdeep,tohitahomerunagainsthim,becausetheyknewyoucouldn’tstringhitstogether against himveryoften.That played intohis hands, too, because guyswould get big with their swing, trying to hit it out of the ballpark, and that’sexactlythepolaroppositeofwhatyouwanttodoagainsthim.Yourswingneedstogetshorteragainsthim.

IaskedBillMueller,whohitMoreallygood,what’s thesecret?Whydoyouhithimsomuchbetterthananybodyelse?What’syourapproach?

Hesaid,“Iswingtowheretheballisgoingtobe,nottowhereitis.”I thought to myself, “That makes perfect sense, but it’s totally

counterintuitive.”Whywouldabaseballplayereverthinktoswingwheretheballisgoingtobe?

You’realwaystaughttoswingwheretheballis.Butthat’salessonIlearnedwaytoolate,obviously,becauseitdidn’twork.Nothingworked.

Ilovethefactthatwhenheclosestheballgamethere’snofistpumping,there’sno bow and arrowmarksmanship.He simply shakes the catcher’s hand, turnsaround, and slaps high fives with his teammates. To me, he’s the ultimateprofessional. I wish more players of this generation would react to beingsuccessful likehedoes.He’saclassyguy. Iwouldprobablysoilmyself if IeversawhimdemonstrateoutwardlylikeFernandoRodneyor[Jose]Valverdeafterasave.Mariano’sgot600savesandheactslike,“Yup,beenthere,donethat,let’sgohome.”

SavesByCatcherJorgePosada 368

JoeGirardi 73RussellMartin 37FranciscoCervelli 34JohnFlaherty 32JoseMolina 31ChrisStewart 28AustinRomine 12IvanRodriguez 7ToddGreene 5ChadMoeller 5JoeOliver 4AlbertoCastillo 3JimLeyritz 2KellyStinnett 2ChrisTurner 2KevinCash 1SalFasano 1MikeFigga 1J.R.Murphy 1GustavoMolina 1WilNieves 1Credit:EliasSportsBureau

*Riverarecordedhis200thcareersavewithasix-outperformanceagainsttheTexasRangerstoprotecta9-7victoryatYankeeStadium,onAugust1,2001.*Twomonths removed from the terrorist attacks on theWorldTradeCenter, and justmiles away fromGroundZero,Greene caught the ceremonial pitch thrown by PresidentGeorgeW.Bush prior toGameThree of the 2001World Series atYankee Stadium, onOctober 30, 2001. Itwas only the second time asittingpresidenthadthrownoutthefirstpitchintheWorldSeries.*Greenewinsaseven-pitchat-batagainstRiverabydoublingofftheright-centerfieldwallduringatwo-runeighthinninginthesecondgameofadoubleheaderatYankeeStadium,onAugust26,1998.Riverablewthesaveintheninthinningbutgotcreditforthe7-6YankeeswinafterDerekJeter’swalk-offsingle.*Levis played 111 games for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians’organization,in1994.Hebatted.285with10homerunsand59RBIs.

Rivera started 22 minor league games and posted a 10-2 record at three levels in the Yankeesorganizationin1994.Hewas3-0atTampa(SingleA),3-0atAlbany(DoubleA)and4-2atColumbus(TripleA).

**Levisgroundedouttoshortstopona3-2pitchfromRiverainthetopoftheeighthinningofaYankees4-1wininYankeeStadium,onJuly4,1996.***CarlosBaergawas the first switch-hitter inmajor league baseball history to hit home runs frombothsidesoftheplateinthesameinning.BaergaaccomplishedthefeatintheseventhinningofagameagainsttheNewYorkYankeesatCleveland’sMunicipalStadium,battingright-handedagainstSteveHoweandleft-handedagainstSteveFarr,onApril8,1993.MarkBellhornbecamethesecondplayertodosoin2002,andKendrysMoralesdiditin2012.*Levisstrokedapinch-hitline-drivesingletoleftfieldonaone-and-onecountfromRiverainthetopoftheeighthinningofaYankees2-0wininYankeeStadium,onJuly6,1996.**LevisdrewawalkagainstRiverainthebottomoftheseventhinningofaYankees4-2wininMilwaukee’sCountryStadium,onJuly20,1996.***RobertoAlomarwas inducted into theBaseballHallofFame in2011. (SeeAlomarentry in infielders’section.)*Minnesota’sChrisParmeleetookafastballforstrikethreetoendthegameandwrapuptherecord-setting602nd save in the Yankees’ 6-4 win over the Twins at Yankee Stadium, on September 19, 2011. Riveraembraced catcherMartin andwasmet by the rest of his teammates in front of themound. After someproddingfromJorgePosada,Riverastayedonthefieldforafewminutestosoakinhisaccomplishment.HestoodonthemoundandtippedhiscapascheersraineddownfromtheBronxcrowd.

“Forthefirsttimeinmycareer,I’monthemoundalone,thereisnoonebehindme,”saidRivera.“Ican’tdescribe that feeling. Itwaspriceless. Ididn’tknowitcouldbe like that. Itwasa feeling like thatwhenwewontheWorldSeries.I’llgiveyouthat,thatemotion.”

*Rivera joinedTrevorHoffmanas theonlyclosers toearn600saves,pitchingascorelessninth inning topreservetheYankees’3-2winovertheMarinersatSeattle’sSafecoField,onSeptember14,2011.ThefinaloutwasrecordedwhenMartinthrewoutIchiroattemptingtostealsecondbase.*MartinsingledtorightfieldfacingRiveraduringaneight-pitchat-batinthetopofthetenthinningofthe2008 All-Star Game, played at Yankee Stadium, on July 15, 2008. The American League defeated theNationalLeague,4-3,infifteeninnings.

Inhisonlyregularseasonat-batfacingRivera,Martinstruckoutlookingonathree-twopitchinthebottomofthetenthinningofaYankees’8-6victoryatDodgerStadium,onJune27,2010.

*MoellerfacedRiveratwice,tenyearsapart,bothtimesinanon-savesituation.Hesingledinhisfirstat-batasamemberoftheTwinsina7-4Yankees’wininMinnesota’sMetrodomeonJuly30,2000.Helinedoutinhissecondat-batamemberoftheBaltimoreOriolesinan11-4Yankees’winathome,onMay20,2009.*MolinaappearedinthreegamesandplayedatotalofnineteeninningsfortheYankeesin2011.Hehadsixplateappearancesandrecordedonehit,adouble.*TheYankeesdefeatedtheWhiteSox,3-1,atYankeeStadium,onApril27,2011.Riveraearnedthesavebypitchingaperfectninthinning,thoughheneededtwenty-threepitchestonailitdown.Pierzynskifouledofffourconsecutivethree-and-twopitchesbeforegroundingoutweaklytothefirstbasemanunassistedtoendthegame.ItwasRivera’s567thcareersave.*The Twins defeated the Yankees, 5-4, in ten innings at Yankee Stadium, onMay 10, 2001. Pierzynskiignited thewinning rallywithaone-outdouble, andmoved to thirdbaseonChristianGuzman’s single.EventhoughRiveraretiredthelasttwobattersonastrikeoutandabouncertofirst,PierzynskiscoredthewinningrunonapassedballbyYankees’catcherJoeOliver.**TheYankeesbeattheWhiteSox,4-2,atYankeesStadium,onSeptember15,2008,givingRiverathirty-sixsaves on the season. Pierzynski swung at a one-and-two pitch and hit a weak dribbler that the catcherhandledforthegame’sfinalout.ItwasRivera’s479thcareersave.

*Pierzynski caught Rivera in the ninth inning of the 2002 All-Star Game, played at Miller Park inMilwaukee,Wisconsin,onJuly9.Thatgameendedinacontroversial7-7tieaftereleveninningswhenbothteamshadusedallavailablepitchers.*Romine, who entered in the seventh inning, wasmaking his first appearance in amajor league game,catchingRivera,whowasmakinghis1,036thappearance.RiveraworkedtheninthastheYankeesbeattheAngels,6-5,inAnaheim,onSeptember11,2011.Riverapickeduphis40thsaveoftheseason—hiseighthseasonof40saves—andthe599thofhiscareer.*Rivera earned his first major league win against the Oakland Athletics, on May 28, 1995. Making hissecondmajorleagueappearanceasastartingpitcher,Riverascatteredsevenhitsoverfiveinningsina4-1Yankeesvictory.Steinbachstruckoutwiththebasesloadedandtwooutstoendthefirstinningthreat;flewouttocenterinthethirdinning,andflewouttodeeprightfieldinthesixth.SteinbachfacedRiveraagainonJune6ofthatyear.Hestruckoutlookinginthesecondinningandgroundedoutinthethird.SteinbachfacedRiveraforthefirsttimeasareliefpitcheronSeptember1,1995.Hestruckoutswinginginthesixthinningandgroundedouttoshortstopintheeighthinning.*Steinbach’sonlyhitoffRiverawasa linedrivesingleto left field inthebottomoftheeighth inningofaYankees’11-4winovertheAthleticsinOakland,onJune2,1996.*RiveraearnedthevictorywhentheYankeesscoredfiverunsintheeleventhinningtobeattheTigers,11-6,atComericaPark,onMay30,2006.Grandersonstruckoutonthreepitchesandwasthesecondoutofthebottomoftheeleventh.*Zaunhitagroundballsingletorightfieldontheninthpitchoftheat-batagainstRiverawithtwooutsinthe bottom of the ninth inning of a game the Yankees won 11-10, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, onSeptember16,2005.Inthewin,Riveraearnedhis376thcareersaveandhis40thsaveoftheseason.Itwasthe sixth timeRivera had saved 40 games in a season.Hewould accomplish that feat nine times in hiscareer,arecordheshareswithTrevorHoffman.Nooneelsehasmorethanfourseasonsreachingthe40-savesplateau.

SectionFour:DesignatedHitters

JackCust

DesignatedhitterandOutfield

PlayingCareerArizonaDiamondbacks,ColoradoRockies,BaltimoreOrioles,SanDiegoPadres,OaklandAthletics,andSeattleMarinersfrom2001to2011


JackCustfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-6,2extra-basehits,1homerun,1double,1runbattedin,2strikeouts,.333battingaverage,.333on-basepercentage,1.000sluggingpercentage

MoCredCusthitahomerunoffRiveraonAugust15,2003.

I

JackCust

Year Date Result2003 8/14 Popout 8/15 Homerun(1RBI)2007 6/29 Strikeout(Swinging)2008 7/19 Strikeout(Looking)2010 7/5 Flyout2011 5/28 Double

’LLNEVERFORGETthehomerun.Itwasoneofmyfirsthomerunsinthemajorleagues,soitwasfresh.IwasayoungplayerfacingapitcherwhoI’vewatched destroy hitters for years. Facing Mariano was surreal. Living in

Flemington,NewJersey,IgrewupbeingaYankeesfan.Now,hereIwas,battingagainstMariano Rivera and seeing BernieWilliams in center field andDerekJeterplayingshortstop;itwascrazy.Hittingahomerunoffthegreatestcloserofall-timeisstilloneofthebestexperiencesI’vehadinbaseball.*

Thenightbeforethehomerun,IfacedRiveraasapinchhitter.Ididn’tgetahit—hejammedmewithacutterandIpoppedup—butIgotanat-batagainstMariano,andgottoseehowhispitchesmoved.Youcanwatchapitcherontape,butuntilyoufacehim,it’satotallydifferentanimal.Thenextnight,whenIgotan at-bat against him, he threwme a back-door cutter and I hit it out to theoppositefield.Iwasluckythathetriedtobackdoormeinsteadofgoingwithhisbreadandbutter—thecutterinsidetotheleft-handedhitter.

[John] Flaherty was catching. I always wondered if [Jorge] Posada wascatchingwouldIhavehitthehomer?Hittinghomerunstotheoppositefieldiswhat Ididbestwhen Iwashitting theball forpower, so itwasplaying tomystrengthtoletmeextendmyarms.WhenPosadawascatching,Marianothrewthecutterinsideallthetimetolefties.Everypitchwasin,in,in,untilhejammedyou or struck you out.Until the home run, he’d never thrownme an outsidepitch.Thehomerunwasthefirst time[Rivera]ever threwmeapitchaway.Itwasagoodpitchontheoutsidecorner.Isawtheballstartfurtherawayfromme,soIthoughtIhadachancetogetgoodwoodonit.Igotthebarrelonitanditendedupgoingout.

WhenIhitthehomerun[theOrioles]werethreerunsdown,andsinceitwasasoloshot,itwasn’tabigdeal.Laterinmycareer,IhitadoubleoffofMarianothatstartedagame-winningrallyinSeattle.Hethrewmeaback-doorcutterandIhitalinedrivedowntheleft-fieldlineforadouble.ThenAdamKennedywonthegamewithawalk-offhit;itwasalittleblooperlikethehitLuisGonzalezgot

forArizonainthe[2001]WorldSeries.*[Another]greatexperiencewaswhenMarianocameinspecificallytofaceme

inYankeeStadium.Iwenttotheoldstadiumalot,soIknewthecrowdinafullstadiumwas loud. I was withOakland andMariano came in to facemewithrunners in scoringpositionand twoouts in the eighth inning. I got thewholeYankee Stadium experience; it was definitely cool. I had a lot of family andfriends in the stadium. I felt confidentbecause I’dhit thehomerunoffhim. Idon’tknowifheknewthat,butIknewIdid,soeventhoughhe’sthebestinthegame,Ihadconfidenceinmyself.Ihadagood, longat-bat,seeingsixorsevenpitches.Thecountwasthree-and-two.Hethrewacutfastballupovertheplatethat just spun. It backed up; it never had any cutting action. But it was aneffectivepitchup inthezoneandIswungthroughit.Hegotmethere,andhegotmeplentyofothertimes,too.**

Whathedoes isamazing.Hemakes it look like theeasiest job in theworld,but it’s not. I feel likehe could [close] for another ten years.He canprobablythrowaninety-miles-per-hourcutterfortherestofhislife.Hekeepshimselfingreatshape.IsawhimoncebeforeIreachedthebigleagues.Oneoff-season,meand my buddies went out to dinner and Mariano was eating in the samerestaurant. I didn’t talk tohim,but thatwas the closest I’ve ever been tohim,besideswhenhewas60feetawaytryingtogetmeout.Helooksolderthanheis.Andhe’snotastallasIthought;youwatchhimontelevision,andhehassuchabigpresence,Iguessthatmakeshimseemtaller.

MoRespect

EricHinskeHinskewas3-for-13with5strikeoutsfacingRivera.HeplayedwithRiveraontheYankees’2009WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

EricHinske

Year Date Result2002 4/9 Strikeout(Swinging)2004 7/22 Strikeout(Looking) 7/26 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/21 Single2005 4/21 Single 8/23 Flyout 9/25 Single2006 4/30 Groundout 8/20 Strikeout(Swinging)2007 6/1 Groundout 8/29 Groundout 9/16 Fielder’schoice2008 7/9 Strikeout(Looking)

He’sbrokenmanyEricHinskebatsinmyday.Igotacoupleofhitsoffhimbutusuallythey’rejamshotsovertheshortstop’sheadorsomething,tryingtostayinsidetheball.Ithinkit’sbettertobearight-handedbatteragainsthim.Atleasttheballisgoingawayfromyou.

He’sagreatperson,agreatteammate,areligiousman.He’sjustanall-aroundgoodhumanbeing.He’slefthismarkonthegame,onandoffthefield.

KevinMaas

DesignatedhitterandFirstbase

I

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesandMinnesotaTwinsfrom1990to1995


MoCredAsaYankeesrookiein1990,Maassetamajorleaguerecordforthefewestat-bats(72)neededtohittenhomeruns.

FACEDMARIANO ONCE, on a backfield at the Yankees’ minor leaguecomplex, in Tampa, Florida, in the summer of 1995. I had played for theMinnesotaTwins during the first part of that year, but then I had a severe

hamstringinjury,andwoundupgettingreleased.TheYankeesofferedtobringmebacktobigleaguecampinthespringof’96,buttheywantedmetoplayouttheremainderof ’95inTripleA.BeforeIwasassignedtotheTripleAteaminColumbus,IspentaweekortworehabbingmyleginTampa,andworkingtogetmyswingback.Marianowasdownthereatthesametime.*

Ihadalreadyspent fourandahalfyears in thebig leaguesandMowas justbreaking in.Hehad a few rough startswith theYankees andhegot sentbackdowntoColumbus.BeforegoingtoColumbus,hewentdowntoTampatoplayinsomerookieleaguegames.Thosewereintra-squadgames,togetussomeat-bats,andtogetMosomeinningstopitch.That’swhereIfacedhim.

IrememberMobeingthisguythateverybodywastalkingaboutasthefutureof the staff, the future Yankee who had great stuff, a great fastball. He threwreallyhardbackthen,andIwasexcitedtofacehimeventhoughweprobablyhadtenorfifteenfansthere.IknewthattheYankeeswereobviouslylookingatmeinadifferentlight,havingcomebacktotheorganization,andMowasonhiswayup.TheYankeeshadreleasedme in thespringof ’94.Ayearandahalf later Iwasback,soeveryat-batIfeltIhadsomethingtoprovetotheYankees,toshowthemtheymadeamistake.Iwantedtoearnashotagain.Istillhadsomethingtoprove.

I lookedupmystatistics [during that time inrookieball]andIwas4-for-9,andIknowoneofthosefourhitswasagainstMo.Iremembergettingonegoodat-bat against him. I could see the good life on his fastball and the good

command that he had early on, and thinking, I better get the bat head out infront. Sure enough, he didn’t have his cutter back then, I was looking for afastballinandhethrewmeafastballin.Irememberhittingalasertorightfield.Ihit an absolute rocket because he threw me what I was looking for. I wasguessing,andIgottherightpitch.Maybeatthatpointinhiscareerhewasn’tassmartasIwas.

IrememberthinkingifonlyIhadgottentheballupintheair itwouldhavegoneovertheadministrationbuilding.Irememberthinking,“Okaythatmeantsomething.”BecauseIkneweveryonewassohighonMo,andIwasabletoturnaroundoneofhisfastballsandhitarockettorightfieldforahit.Thebuzzwasthere aboutMo back then, and that’s why it meant something to me, why itstandsoutforme.ThatwastheonlytimeIeverfacedMo.

EdgarMartinez

Designatedhitter

PlayingCareerSeattleMarinersfrom1987to2004


EdgarMartinezfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)10-for-16,5extra-basehits,2homeruns,6runsbattedin,3walks,4strikeouts,1hitbypitch,.625battingaverage,.700on-basepercentage,1.188sluggingpercentage

MoCredRiveranamedMartinezasthetoughestbatterheeverfaced.NohitterhashadthesustainedsuccessthatMartinezhadwithaminimumoftwentycareerplateappearances:a.625battingaveragewithtwohomerunsandsixrunsbattedin.

I

EdgarMartinez

Year Date Result1995 6/11 Homerun(3RBI) 6/11 Single 8/25 Walk 8/25 Homerun(1RBI) 9/5 Strikeout(Looking) 9/5 Double 9/5 Single(1RBI) 10/4 Single1996 5/25 Double 8/18 Double1997 8/23 Intentionalwalk1999 5/9 Reachedonerror 8/28 Walk(hitbypitch)2000 8/5 Single(1RBI) 8/30 Single 10/17 Groundout2001 10/17 Groundout2003 4/30 Strikeout(Looking) 5/1 Groundout 5/7 Strikeout(Looking) 8/8 Strikeout(Swinging)2004 5/15 Intentionalwalk 8/14 Single

T’SHARDTO tellwhy [I had success against Rivera]. For some reason, Inever felt likeIwasdoinggreatagainsthim.I think it’sbecauseyoualwaysfeltthatitwasgoingtobeatoughbattle,adifficultat-bat.Againstsomeother

pitchers, if youdowell, you feel comfortable at theplate,butwithMariano, itwasneveracomfortableat-bat.Alotofthehitswerenothardhit;Iwasabletofindsomeholes.*

At thebeginningofhis career, as a starter, he threwhard.Hewas trying tobeatyou,todominateyou,bythrowingfastballs,butitwasstraightandovertheplate. I felt confident that I would make solid contact. I didn’t try to do toomuch.Asa short relieverhedeveloped the cutter, andheperfected thatpitch.Forme, being a contact hitter, I always look [for pitches]middle-away and Ilikedtousethewhole field.Mostofhispitcheswentmiddle-away,andhewasgoodatkeepingtheballdownandaway.Onthosepitches,Ihit theball totherightsideofthefield.Asarelieverhewasmoreofapitcher,usinglocation.Hehadgreatcommand.Hewasveryeffectivelowandaway,buthealsoknewwhentothrowapitchhighinthezone.Ithinkhewassuccessfulbecauseheknewthe

hitters’ swings; he knewwhere you had a hole [in your swing], and he couldthrowtothatarea.

I think what makes him great is his command and his location; knowingwhere to throw the pitch. A good example is when I faced him in the 2000AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries.Imadethelastoutofthegame.Hegotmeoutwithasinkerinside.Ineverrememberhimthrowingmeasinkerbefore.ThatwasthefirsttimeIeversawasinkerfromhim.Heknewwhentochangehisplan,when togowith somethingcompletelynew, somethingdifferent thatyou’renotexpecting.Thelocationofthepitchisimportant.Ifhemissedbyjusttwo inches it would have been a different outcome. I would have hit the ballsolid. But he got inside and I hit a ground ball to shortstop. I remember thatpitchandIrememberthatswingandIfeltthatif[theball]wasonlytwoinchesmoretowardthebarrelIwouldhavehitthatballhard.*

Thereissomethingabouthim,inthewayhecompetes.Youcouldtellhewasvery well prepared. He had everything a great pitcher needs to succeed:movementontheball,commandofhispitches,andapresenceonthemound.He’s not going to make many mistakes. It was always a challenge to faceMariano, especially in close games. You have to admire his ability to handlepressure when the game is on the line. It seems like he wanted to be in thatdifficultsituation.Whenhe’sonthemoundhehasapresence.Hisdemeanorisveryprofessional.Evenwithhis success,hisbody language isverynormalandunassuming.Youdon’tnotice anythinghedoes that tells you, Idon’t like thisguy; I want to beat this guy. Sometimes I think if the Yankees didn’t haveMariano,maybetheMarinerswinaWorldSeries.*

IneverheardthatMarianothoughtIwasthetoughestbatterforhim.Thatisagreatcompliment.Wealwayshadamutualrespect.He’sthebestrelieverIeverfaced.Notonlyisheanamazingpitcher,heisagreatperson.Icongratulatehimonanamazingcareer.ItwasanhonortoplaywithhimintheAll-Stargamesanditwasagreatexperiencecompetingagainsthim.

MoSaysAtthepressconferenceannouncinghisretirement,Riverawasaskedtonamethetoughestbatterheeverfaced.

Thetoughest—andthankGodheretired—EdgarMartinez.OhmyGod.Ithinkeverypitcherwillsaythat,becausethismanwastough.Greatman,though—respectedthegame,didwhathehadtodoforhisteam.That’swhat youappreciate about players,whenaplayer comesanddoeswhat is right for the gameofbaseball,forhisteamandteammates.

DavidOrtiz

Designatedhitter

PlayingCareerMinnesotaTwinsandBostonRedSoxsince1997


DavidOrtizfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)11-for-32,3extra-basehits,1homerun,4runsbattedin,2walks,4strikeouts,.344battingaverage,.382on-basepercentage,.500sluggingpercentage

MoCredOrtizhasmorehitsfacingRiveraintheregularseason,11,thananyotherbatter.

H

DavidOrtiz

Year Date Result2000 7/28 Single(2RBI) 9/1 Single 9/3 Flyout2002 5/19 Lineout2003 5/27 Single 8/30 Single 9/7 Fielder’schoicePostseason 10/11 Foulout 10/14 Single 10/16 Double2004 4/24 Flyout 4/24 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/1 SinglePostseason 10/13 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/17 Strikeout(Swinging) 10/17 Popout2005 4/6 Groundout(1RBI) 7/14 Strikeout(Swinging) 7/16 Popout 9/9 Flyout 9/11 Walk2006 5/23 Popout 8/18 Homerun(1RBI) 8/20 Double 8/20 Flyout2007 6/3 Lineout 9/16 Popout2008 7/25 Flyout 9/28 Reachedonerror2009 4/24 Strikeout(Swinging) 8/7 Single 8/9 Walk2011 5/16 Foulout 8/5 Groundout 8/30 Double2013 5/31 Single 7/20 Foulout 8/18 Single 9/5 Lineout 9/8 Strikeout(Looking)

E’SAGUY[who]isgoingtobeirreplaceable.Everybodyrightnowintheleague [tries] to throw cutters, prettymuch every pitcher [has] a cutterrightnow,but[it’s]notlikeMariano’s.Notevenclose.There’sonesecond

before it’s on your hands. And he’s the only one that I have ever faced [like

that].*He’s special. What can I tell you? He’s the type of guy that basically says,

“Whatdoesn’tkillyou,makesyoustronger.”Whenyou talk toMariano, itdoesn’t even feel likeyouare talking to a guy

that is going to theHall of Fame [on the] first ballot.He’s so humble and sorespectful and funny. He says things that sound funny, things you aren’texpectinghimtosay.Heneverwouldlook[down]atanyoneoverhisshoulder.

Iwassittingrightnext tohimduringthe[2013]All-StarGameandIpulledoutmy camera and said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, let’s take awholebunchofphotos.”

Ididtakelotsofphotoswithhim.Ididn’taskforhisautographat[the]All-Star [Game] as I was giving him his space, but I will. Actually, I do have anautographedjerseyofhisframedinmyhouseinmybasement.Igotitacoupleofyearsagoandaskedhimmyselfforit.ButIgottogetanewonenow!

LukeScott

DesignatedhitterandOutfield

PlayingCareerHoustonAstros,BaltimoreOrioles,andTampaBayRayssince2005


LukeScottfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)2-for-16,1extra-basehit,1homerun,1runbattedin,1walk,1strikeout,.125battingaverage,.176on-basepercentage,.313sluggingpercentage

MoCredScotthitagame-tyinghomerunoffRiveraonSeptember19,2010;itwasthesixty-secondhomerRiverahasallowed.

Y

LukeScott

Year Date Result2008 4/20 Groundout 5/22 Groundout 5/27 Popout 5/28 Reachedonerror 8/22 Lineout 9/20 Popout 9/21 Groundout2009 4/9 Groundout 9/1 Doubleplay2010 4/29 Flyout 6/1 Single 6/3 Strikeout(Swinging) 9/19 Homerun(1RBI)2011 4/24 Flyout 5/18 Popout2012 4/6 Intentionalwalk2013 7/28 Groundout

EAH,ABSOLUTELY,THATwasoneofthebiggest[hits]ofmycareer,ifnotthebiggest.Consideringthesituation,thebestcloserIthinkthat’severtaken the mound, it’s just another experience that I’ll never forget. I’m

thankfulfortheopportunityandthewaythingsworkedout.Itwasalotoffunagainstarealgood[pitcher].*

He’s not going to try to fool you. It’s real simple. He’s got one pitch. Hissuccessisbasedonthequalityofhisstuff.He’sgotalate-movingcutter,butit’salsohismovement,andhislocation.He’sgotverygoodcontrol.

I’vegot[sixteen]at-batsagainstMarianoRivera.Inallthoseat-bats,Ihaven’tbeen countinghowmanyhits Ihave; I’vebeen countinghowmanyballshaveactuallybeen[fully]ontheplateinthestrikezone,insteadofbeingonthecorneror just off. I’ve seenmaybe threepitcheswhere thewhole ball has crossed thewhiteoftheplate,whichisprettyimpressive.Everythingisontheblack.Eithertheballisrunningofftheplate,orit’sofftheplaterunningtowardtheblack.

Tome,he’sbeen that good, and I’ll go as far as to say tootherpeople,he’sbeenthatgood.Asaleftyhe’sgoingtotrytorunthatcutterinonyourhands,tospeedupyourswing.Andwhenyoustartlayingoffofit,that’swhenhe’llgototheback-doorcutter.

MikeSweeney

DesignatedhitterandFirstbase

W

PlayingCareerKansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and PhiladelphiaPhilliesfrom1995to2010


MikeSweeneyfacingMarianoRivera(regularseason)4-for-14,1extra-basehit,3RBIs,2walks,0strikeouts,.286battingaverage,.389on-basepercentage,.357sluggingpercentage

MoCredAfive-timeAll-Star,SweeneyfinishedsecondintheAmericanLeaguebattingracewitha.340averagein2002,andsetaRoyalsfranchiserecordforrunsbattedinwith144in2000.

HENYOU’REAT Yankee Stadium andMarianoRivera is coming inthegame,itfeelslikeahorrormovie.It’slikethehorrormovie,Fridaythe13th,whenyouhearthemusicandyouknowJasoniscoming,asthe

viewer,you’rescaredtodeath,becauseyouknowwhat’sgoingtohappen.That’sthe feelingyougetwhenyou seeNo.42 coming through thebullpengate andyouhear “EnterSandman”blasting [through the speakers]atYankeeStadium.Justlikeinthehorrormovie,youknowtheendresult,youknowwhat’sgoingtohappen,andmoretimesthannot,Marianowillfinishthegameandgetthesave.

Theonememorableat-batagainstMarianoRiverathatreallystandsouttomeis in 2009. I was amember of the SeattleMariners and Felix Hernandez waspitchingandhadgivenuponerun.Wegointothebottomoftheninthdown1-0.After Felix had pitched the ninth, he comes in the dugout and untucks hisshirt,heknowsthegameisover,andhecan’tdoanymorebutsitonthebenchand watch our at-bats [against Rivera]. One out. Two outs. All of a sudden,[Mariners’manager]DonWakamatsusays,“Sweeney,you’reup.”

MikeSweeney

Year Date Result1996 8/2 Single(1RBI) 8/5 Walk1997 5/2 Lineout 8/14 Lineout1998 8/18 Sacrificefly(1RBI)1999 8/19 Lineout 9/8 Groundout2000 4/14 Foulout 9/4 Lineout2001 4/5 Groundout2002 8/15 Popout2003 8/20 Single(1RBI)2004 4/30 Walk2005 8/26 Single2006 4/11 Walk(Hitbypitch)2007 9/7 Groundout2009 6/30 Groundout 9/18 Double

Isay,“What?Thanksforthewarning.”Ihadabatinmyhand,Irantotheon-deckcircleandgotloose,andthefirst

pitch I saw [from Rivera] I hit a ball to the right-center-field gap that was aground-ruledouble.Icrushedit.AndasIcameoffthefieldforapinchrunner,Ichiro[Suzuki]cameup and hit the first pitch he saw for awalk-off home run, awalk-off two-runhome run. I’ll never forget it becausewhen you get two outs againstMarianoRivera and there’s nobody on base, it’s almost a forgone conclusion that thegame’sover.Iwasup[atbat]andIwasexcitedabouthavingachancetobethehero and be in that game situation against the greatest closer in history. So Ipromptly hit a double and then Ichiro hits the walk-off home run and IrememberFelixHernandezwasinawe,becausehethoughtthegamewasover.Hejumpedintomyarmsandhesaid:“SweeneyIcan’tbelieveit,Ican’tbelieveit,wegotit,wegotit,wegotthewin.”*

Against Mariano Rivera, with his cutter going away from a right-handedhitter,mymentalitywastotry tohit the insidepartof thebaseball. Ifyoustayinside theball,youhaveabetterchance tosquare itup. Iwouldblockout theleft-fieldsideofthefieldand[trytohittheball]fromthecenterfielderovertothe right fielder anddrive the ball in that gap.When a left-handedhitter batsagainstMariano,thatcutterwillbreakabatsevenoutoftentimes.Hebreaksbat

afterbat afterbat. I remember [KansasCityRoyals teammate] JohnnyDamonbreakingthreebatsinoneat-batagainstMarianoRiveraatYankeeStadium.Hebroketwobatsonfoulballsthatwere[pitches]inonhisfists,andthenthethird[broken bat occurred when] he grounded out to first base. Ironically, right-handedhittershaveabetterchanceofsuccessagainsthimthanleft-handersdo.MarianoRiveradefiesstatistics;hedefieslogic.

Idon’tthinkIeverstruckoutagainsthim.That’sbecauseofmydesirewhenIwalkedintothatbatter’sboxtoputthebarrelofthebatonthebaseball.Whenyou’re facing a pitcher like Mariano Rivera your senses are heightened, youradrenalineispushed,andyourmindisdriventobesomethingbetterthanyouareatnormaltimes,becauseyou’refacingthebest.SowheneverIsteppedintheboxagainstNo.42itwasmydesiretobegreatbecauseIwasfacingthegreatest.MarianoRivera,eventhoughhe’sthegreatestcloserinmajorleaguehistory,isaone-pitchpitcher.Hethrowsacutter.Whatmakeshimsoeffectiveishisabilitytolocatethatpitch.He’saspreciseasaheartsurgeon.He’sonthecorners,attheknees, and then he raises your eye level.When you faceMariano Rivera youcannot ever expect a pitch to be thrown down themiddle of the plate; it justdoesn’thappen.

IwasblessedtoplayinfiveAll-Stargames.OneofmygreatestAll-StarGamememories—one of my greatest memories in baseball, period—was whenMariano and I were in Detroit in 2005. I remember after the [player]introductionssittingonthebenchinthefirstinninginthedugoutatComericaPark[inDetroit],andI lookoverandsittingnexttomeisMarianoRivera.Heaskedme how I’m doing, andwe stared having a conversation.We’re talkingaboutour faith,our family,whatdrivesus in life,andthenext thingIknow,Ilookupandit’salreadythefourthinning.MoandIweretwooftwenty-fiveguysthatwerechosentobeontheAmericanLeagueAll-Star teamandwe’re intheAll-Star Game and we’re totally oblivious.We were talking about what reallymatters in life, andwewere in themoment, talking for about fortyminutes. Icouldn’tbelieveit.SoIsaid,“Ibettergotothecageandgetwarmed-up.”

Hesaid,“Ibettergotothebullpenandgetloose.”Thatwasprobablythegreatestmomentofmybaseballcareer.Wedidn’ttalk

abouthowto throwacutter,orwhat it’s like tobeaYankee.We talkedaboutwhat really matters: faith and family and what we have in common. It wasawesome.I’mhappytobringlifetothewonderfulmanthatheis.*

*Cust led off the bottom of the ninth inning against Rivera with the Orioles trailing 6-3 at Baltimore’sCamdenYards,onAugust15,2003.Withthecountone-and-one,Cust loftedRivera’sthirdofferingovertheleft-centerfieldwallforahomeruntomakeit6-4.BaltimoreputthetyingrunsinscoringpositionwithtwooutswhenRiveraretiredJayGibbons—whowas3-for-23inhiscareerfacingRivera—torecordhis25thsaveoftheseasonandthe268thofhiscareer.*KennedybloopedasingletoshallowcenterfieldoffRiverainthetwelfthinning,liftingtheMarinerstoa5-4victoryovertheYankeesatSeattle’sSafecoField,onMay28,2011.Withoneout,JustinSmoaksingledand Cust doubled sharply to left field, advancing the potential winning run to third base. RiveraintentionallywalkedFranklinGutierreztoloadthebases.Kennedy,whowas1-for-12inhiscareeragainstRivera, then looped a soft single into shallow center field, scoringpinch runnerLuisRodriguezwith thewinningrun.**RiveraenteredthegametofaceCustandprotecta2-1leadwithtworunnersonbaseandtwooutsintheeighthinning.Thegamewasplayedbefore52,622fansinYankeeStadium,onJune29,2007.Custstruckoutswingingontheseventhpitchoftheat-bat.Riverapitchedascorelessninthinningforhis424thcareersave.*Riverabeganthe1995seasoninColumbus.TheYankeescalledhimuponMay16toreplacetheinjuredstarter Jimmy Key. Rivera made his major league debut against the California Angels on May 23, andallowedfiveearnedrunsinthreeinningsina10-0loss.Afterstrugglingthroughthreemorestarts,hewasdemotedtoColumbusonJune11.OnJuly4,hemadehisfirststartbackinthemajorleagues,andpitchedeightscorelessinningsagainsttheChicagoWhiteSox,strikingout11battersandallowingjusttwohits.*Martinezwas 9-for-11 facing Rivera at one point.He reached base in fourteen of his first fifteen plateappearances(twohomers,threedoubles,fivesingles,twowalks,onehit-by-pitch,onereachedonerror,onestrikeout).ButRiveraturnedthetablesandretiredMartinezinsixofthelastsevenat-bats.*Martinez was the potential game-tying run when hemade the final out of the 2000 American LeagueChampionshipSeries.TheYankeesdefeatedtheMariners,9-7,inGameSix,tocapturetheirthirdstraightAmericanLeaguepennant.*TheYankeesalsodefeatedtheMarinersinthe2001AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeriesinfivegames,thoughtheMarinershadwonanAmericanLeague–record116gamesthatseason.*IntwopostseasonseriesfacingRivera,Ortizwas2-for-6withtwostrikeouts.*Scottwas1-for-12withasingleagainstRiverabeforehittingagame-tyinghomeruninthebottomoftheninth inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore, on September 19, 2010. Scott eventually scored the game-winningrunintheeleventhinningwhenheracedhomefromsecondonTyWigginton’shitfora4-3win.*MichaelSaunderspinch-ranforSweeneyandscoredaheadofIchiroina3-2MarinerswinatSafecoField,on September 18, 2009. Until this point, Rivera had converted forty of his forty-one save chances thatseason,includingthirty-sixinarow.*TheAmericanLeagueAll-StarsdefeatedtheNationalLeagueAll-Stars,7-5.Sweeneystruckoutswinginginapinch-hittingappearanceagainstPhiladelphiapitcherBradLidge.Riverafacedonebatterandearnedthesave,strikingoutHouston’sMorganEnsbergtoendthegame.

SectionFive:Pitchers

JonathanAlbaladejo

Reliefpitcher

T

PlayingCareerWashington Nationals, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks from2007to2012

CareerStatistics66games,6wins,3losses,4.34earnedrunaverage,76innings,77hitsallowed,32walks,56strikeouts

MoCredAlbaladejospentthreeseasonsinthebullpenwithRiverawhileplayingfortheYankeesin2008,’09,and’10.

HEMOSTIMPORTANTthingIlearnedfromMarianoisthementalpartofthegame.Hismentalstrengthisamazing.Hewinsthebattlebeforehethrowsapitch.Youcanseetheconfidenceonhisfaceeverytimehesteps

onthemound.Heknowshe’sgoingtogetthehitterout,andthehitterknowsit,too.

He’salwaysrelaxed.Nothingevergetstohim.Oratleasthedoesn’tshowit.His expression stays the same. I saw him get mad only once. It happened soquickyounoticeditonlyifyouwerelookingathimatthatparticularmoment.[Ithappened]rightafterhethrewapitchthatgothitandarunscored.Bythetimehegottheballagain,hewasthesameguyasbefore.Itrytostayrelaxed,butsometimesthegamegetstomemorethanIwouldlike.

Myyearsinthebullpen[withMariano]wasawonderfultime.Whenyou’reaYankee,theyletyouknowondayonethatthegoalistowingames.Everybodyinthebullpenwaspullingforeachother,becauseeverybodywantstowin.That’syourjob.Wewereatightgroup.Therewasnofeelingof,“Iwantyourspot;youwantmine.”

Everybodyinthebullpenprettymuchsitsinthesameplaceeveryday.Weallsittogether,wealltalk.There’sabench[inthebullpen]andMarianosatattheend.Hewasthelastonetoshowup,hecomesbythesixthinning,andthatwastheonlyspotopen.Itwasn’tlikeeveryonewastryingtositnexttohim.

He really didn’t have a routine. The phone rings, he’d grab a heavy ball tostretchforaminute, thenhe’dstartwarmingup.Hethrowstwoballsandhe’sreadytogo.It’simpressive.

Whenhecomesout[ofthebullpen]inYankeeStadium,thegamestopsfora

moment.Everybodygoescrazy.ThefirsttimeIeverheard[thecrowdcheeringforhim]itgavemechills.IthinkaboutitnowandIgetchills.Itwasawesome.

We sat across from each other [in the Yankees locker room].Hewould sitquietlyathislocker,reallypolite;alwayshasasmileonhisface.AnychancehegetstotalktotheyoungerLatinplayershewillhelpthemout.Talkingaboutthegame,whatyoucandotoimprove,sharinghisexperiences.

He’salwaystryingtohelpeverybody.Hefindsawaytospeaktoyouandtriestohelpyouinanywayhecan.Ilearnedalotfromhim—notonlyaboutbaseball,about life. I appreciate all he did for me. He’s a wonderful guy and treatseverybodywithrespect,andeverybodyrespectshim.

BronsonArroyo

Pitcher

Y

PlayingCareerPittsburghPirates,BostonRedSox,andCincinnatiRedssince2000

CareerStatistics391games,138wins,127losses,1save,4.19earnedrunaverage,2,278innings,2,321hits,623walks,1,479strikeouts

MoCredArroyocompetedagainstRivera’sYankeesasamemberoftheRedSoxinthe2003and2004AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeries.

OUALWAYSSEEguyswhowanttohaveabunchoffacialhairandtheywanttolookmeanandhavepeoplethinkthatthey’realittleofforalittlecrazy and they don’t have command of their hundred-mile-an-hour

fastball,theytrytousethatintimidationtobeatguys.The thingaboutMariano ishedidn’thave touseanyof thoseweapons.He

didn’thavetouseanyintimidationatall.Hedidn’thavetouseabrashattitudeonthemound.Hewentouttherecool,calm,andcollectedforalltheseyearsanddominatedatthatpositionwithouthavingtousethatasanedgeatall.

MoRespect

DellinBetancesBetanceswasRivera’steammateintheYankees’bullpenfrom2011to2013.

BeingahometownNewYorker, IgrewupwatchingtheYankees,andMarianowasalwaysoneof thoseguysyouwatchedandarelike,Man,IwishIcouldmeetthatguy.

Nowbecomingteammateswithhimisanhonorforme.It’sanhonortobearoundhimandbeinthebullpenwithhim.

[MeetingRivera]wasnerve-racking, Iguess.At first, Iwas like,Ohman, Ican’tbelieveI’mstandingnexttoMariano.Buthe’sarealhumbleguy,aniceguy,andhetriestoteachyouasmuchstuffashecan.Helovesworkingwiththeyoungerguys.

Idon’tknowwhat’ssogreatabout[hiscutter].Itjustdoesn’tmakeanysense.Towatch it on TV, it doesn’t look any better than half the other guys in theleaguethrowingtheircutter.Yethecontinuestomakeitworkandit’snot likehe’sonlydoneitwhenhethrows95milesanhour.He’sstilldoingitat91,92,andhestillgetsguysout.It’smind-boggling.

JobaChamberlain

Pitcher

H

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesandDetroitTigerssince2007

CareerStatistics260games,23wins,14losses,5saves,3.85earnedrunaverage,444innings,433hits,182walks,446strikeouts

MoCredChamberlainwasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesfrom2007to2013andwasamemberofthe2009WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

E’S ALWAYS PLAYING jokes on everybody [by] throwing gum atpeopleanddoingstufflikethat.Everybodyseesthebaseballsideofthings,but theydon’tget to spend the time in [thebullpen]withhimand joke

[around]. I [enjoy] watching him play jokes on people and throw gum. He’sreallygoodat throwinggum, too.Shocker, Iknow,butyeah,healways findsawaytokeepguysloose.

[Thefunniestjokewas]probablyinspringtrainingwhenhethrewarosinbagatourbullpencoachthathithimontheheadanditexploded.Whydidhedoit?Idon’tknow.HewasjustbeingMo,Iguess.Itwasn’tameanthing.Itwasfunny,actually.Hewas just tossing it and ithappened tohithimandexplode. Itwaspretty fun.Itwasprettycool.Notsomethingyouseeeveryday.Obviously,mykid isgoing toknowwhohe is. Sohe’sgoing toknow thebaseball side, that’sirrelevant.Ithinkthelifesideismorefunthanthebaseballside.

He’salwaystheretotalktoaboutcertainsituations,certaincounts.Healwayskeeps it fun in thebullpen. I think it’s a goodway tokeepus relaxedbut alsokeepus in thegamewhenwestart talkingaboutat-batsandcertainsituations.Thewayhekeepsthingsfunishe’salwayslaughingandjoking.Peoplehavenoidea [there is] this sideofhim. If they couldonly seehalf the stuff I can’t talkabout!Butthat’sthefunpartforus,seeingthehumansideofMariano,becausewhenhepitcheshe’sreallynothuman.Soit’sfunforustoseethatsideofhim.

DavidCone

Pitcher

T

PlayingCareerKansas City Royals, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees,BostonRedSoxfrom1986to2003

CareerStatistics450games, 194wins, 126 losses, 3.46 earned runaverage, 2,898 innings, 2,504hits,1,137walks,2,668strikeouts

MoCredConewasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesfrom1995to2000.HewasamemberoffourWorldSerieschampionshipteams.

OME,WHATsetshimapartisbeingabletorepeatwhat’salreadyperfectmechanics. It’s what you would teach a Little Leaguer, frame by frame.Mariano’sarmslotisthesameeverypitch.Nooneelsedoesthat.Hegets

lotsofarmextension.IcallhimInspectorGadgetbecauseit’slikehisarmhasanextraextensionthatpopsoutofhisshoulder.Thereisalsothatgreatwristaction;hiswristislikeablurattheendofthepitch.

Therehavebeen somany greatmemories.Every time I see [formerAtlantaBravespitchersTom]Glavineor[Greg]Madduxor[John]Smoltz, I say:“YoucouldhavefourorfiveringsifyouhadMarianoRivera.”

Wejokeaboutit,butwhenyouthinkaboutit,it’sprobablytrue.WhenIthinkofMo, I think, “Wow I’ve got fourWorldSeries ringson the same teamwithhim,andeverytimeIseehimIwanttosay, thankyou.”That’showstronglyIfeelabouthim,howgoodhe’sbeenintheclutch.

It was a comforting feeling whenMariano went to the bullpen in the fifthinningwhenwe had a lead or it was a close game. That’swhen you’d see hisgameface.It’sdifferentforacloserbecausethingshavetofallrightforMarianotodohisjob.You’vegottohavethelead,andit’sgottobeacloseenoughgame.Sohehadadifferentlookonhisfacewhenthegamewascloseanditlookedlikehewasgoingtogetintothegame.

Idon’tthinkthere’severbeenapitcher,especiallyacloser,that’sbeensocalmonthemound.Yougetspoiledwithhowefficientheis.It’sboom,boom,boom,game over. There’s no walking the bases loaded, no tightrope walks. There’sneverbeenacloserlikehim—ever.

DennisEckersley

Pitcher

M

PlayingCareerCleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, ChicagoCubs,OaklandAthletics, and St.LouisCardinalsfrom1975to1998

CareerStatistics1,071 games, 197 wins, 171 losses, 390 saves, 3.50 earned run average, 3,285innings,3,076hits,738walks,2,401strikeouts

MoCredEckersleywaselectedtotheHallofFamein2004.HewastheAmericanLeague’sMostValuablePlayerandCyYoungAwardwinnerin1992.HeandJohnSmoltzaretheonlypitchersinmajorleaguebaseballhistorywitha20-winseasonanda50-saveseasonintheircareer.

ARIANO RIVERAHAS just been absolutely automatic ever since hetookoverclosinggames[in1997].He’sthegreatestcloserwhoeverlived.Heisgoingtogooutontop.Heisjusttoogreat.

Hehas such impeccable control.People talk aboutMarianohaving this onepitch,thisphenomenalcutter.Itlookslikeafastballuntilitgetsninetypercentofthewaythere,andthen,atthelastfraction,itmovesfromrighttoleft.Andit’ssohardforthehitterstopickup.Andtheyknowit’scoming.That’sthecrazything.Hehassuchgreatcontrolwithit.Heputsitrightwherehewantsto,andhehassuchabeautifuldelivery.He’sjustsoautomatic.Themotionlookseffortless.Itisjust that one step and [the ball] is next to his ear. And the repeating [of thatmotion]iswhatisincredible.

Iwastotallydifferent.Wecouldn’tbefurther[apart]thewaywewentaboutit.He’sverymuchliketheiceman,youknow,unemotional.Forthelongrun,that’sprobably what you want, is someone to be less affected by it because I thinkemotionallyitwouldwearyoudownafterawhile;itworemedown.

It’s incredible [what he’s done in the postseason]. If you add up all of hispostseasons,it’salmosttwoyears’worthofpitching.Andhisearnedrunaverageisphenomenal,because this iswhere themoney is.That’swhat setshimapartfrom everybody else. You know, I did it in Oakland. And the atmosphere inOakland, it doesn’t even come close to matching the expectations and thepressurethatgoesalongwithpitchingfortheNewYorkYankees.

Isatdownwithhimabouttwoyearsagofor[atelevisioninterviewon]TBS,

andItalkedaboutthefewfailuresthathe’shad.Hehasthisinnerpeace.He’saveryspiritualguy.Iwalkedawayfromtheinterviewwantingtohavewhathehas,beyondpitching. It’s this innerpeace abouthim thatmust go into the successthathe’shadoverthislongcourseoftime.

Heisauniqueguyineveryway.Firstofall,heisgifted.Itisbeyondallthat.Heisoneofakind.Noteverybodyishumbleandgraceful,tobethattypeofaplayer. The thing I like about him more than that is the aura when you arearoundhim.Heseemssopeacefulandcentered.Theauradoesn’tchange.Thevelocityisdownonlyatick,andtheconsistencyisstillthere.

MostPostseasonSaves*MarianoRivera 42BradLidge 18DennisEckersley 15JasonIsringhausen 11RobbNen 11*Sincesavesbecameanofficialstatisticin1969

TomGordon

Pitcher

M

PlayingCareerKansasCity Royals, BostonRed Sox, ChicagoCubs,HoustonAstros, ChicagoWhite Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and ArizonaDiamondbacksfrom1988to2009

CareerStatistics890 games, 138 wins, 126 losses, 158 saves, 3.96 earned run average, 2,108innings,1,889hits,977walks,1,928strikeouts

MoCredGordonspenttwoseasonsinthebullpenwithRiverawhileplayingfortheYankeesin2004and2005.

ARIANOISONEofthegreatestambassadorsthatcouldeverliveandbea part of professional sports, so not just baseball itself.WhatMarianorepresents is professionalism, leadership, and character—and all those

greatthingsthatcomewithagreatman.IwasreallyblessedtobeapartofthatYankeesorganizationforthe2004and’05seasonsandhavehimasaguytolookupto.*

Iwasevenolder,anolderplayer,havingbeenaroundthegamethreeorfouryearsmore,butMarianowassomeonethatyoucanlookupto,getadvicefrom,andlearnthegamefrom,evenasyoucontinuetogetintothelatteryearsofyourcareer.Forme, tobe in the sameclubhousewithMariano, I idolizedhimas aplayer,he’soneofmyidolstoday,alongwithHankAaron,JohnnyBench,andthe greatest iconic baseball players in our time. Like I said, Mariano is anambassador,atotalprofessional,ineverypossiblewayformajorleaguebaseball,andevenforyoungkidsofourfuture.

Alotofguyscomeup[tobat]thinkingthatMarianodoesn’tchangespeedsonthat cutter, but he does.What’s beenmost effective is thatMariano not onlychanges speeds, he’s pinpoint with his control on that pitch. That’s what getshitterslookingtootherareas,andthen,bam,they’rebeat.He’sdefinedthegreatpitch in thegame,andhe’sbeenthebest in theentiregameofbaseballateverpossessingapitchthatdoesn’tneedtobeworkedwithtoomuch,doesn’tneedtobe tinkeredwith, doesn’t need to be over analyzed, but at the same time, he’sgottenitdowntoascience.Hedoesthatbyhispinpointcontrol.

Hiscontroleverysinglenightonthatpitchhasbeenphenomenal.I’venever

seenaguythatgoestothebullpenandhethrowsachange-up,he’llthrowafour-seam fastball, he can show you threemajor league pitches, but he onlyworkswithone.WhatIwasabletolearnfromthatisthatMarianohasthesameexactmechanicseverysingleday.Heworkedashardhecanworkatbecomingoneofthe best in the game at recognizinghismechanics.He alsowas able to gooutconsistentlyandrepeathisarmslotonthatpitch,everysingleday.Foraguytopitch four or five times aweek, that’s a really remarkable thing to do. I got achancetobeinapositiontoclose,butIneededallthreeofmypitches.Forhim,hewasabletochangespeedsoften,butalsomixinthat94to95milesanhourcutter.Helearnedthatpitchdowntoascience.

MoRespect

Rich“Goose”GossageThemustachioedfireballerearned124victoriesand310savesduringhisHallofFamecareerfrom1972to1994.

It’sahugepsychologicaladvantagewhenyou’vegotaguylikeMarianoandagreatsetupcorps,toknowthatit’sasix-inningballgame.You’vegotthelead,andit’sover.

He’stheconsummateprofessional.Heactsthewayguysshouldact.Kidsshouldtakeapageoutofhisbookonhowtoactonthemound,notactinglikefoolsjumpingupanddown,showinghittersup.

JasonGrimsley

Reliefpitcher

W

PlayingCareerPhiladelphia Phillies,Cleveland Indians,AnaheimAngels,NewYorkYankees,KansasCityRoyals,BaltimoreOrioles,andArizonaDiamondbacksfrom1989to2006


MoCredGrimsleyspenttwoseasonsinthebullpenwithRiverawhileplayingfortheYankeesandtogethertheyhelpedtheteamwintwoWorldSeriestitlesin1999and2000.

HENHEGOTtotheballparkitwasalmostlikehewasonastopwatch.Hewentabouthisbusinessinthesamemannereveryday.Ilearnedalotfrom watching his routine. He had success with his routine, so he

repeatedit.Hemadehisdayrepeatable.Thiswasn’tasuperstition.Thiswasn’tthathehadtotiehisshoeacertainwayorwearhishatacertainway,orputonaleftsockfirst.Thiswasaconsistencywithwhichyouapproachyourjob.

Hewas consistent in thewayheworked in the gym, howhe didhis cardioworkout, his throwing program, when he came out to the bullpen, how hewarmeduptogetreadyforagame.Itwasthesameeverytime.Ifyouexperiencesuccessdoingitoneway,repeatit,becauseitrelaxesyourmind.

Mariano looked like hewas on autopilot thewhole time. Someof us in thebullpencalledhim“TheGhoul”becausenothingaffectedwhathedid.Itdidn’tmatterifitwasaspringtraininggameortheseventhgameoftheWorldSeries.Mohad the same approach, the same look, the samedemeanor, and the samestyle. That’s what made him great. The gravity of the game didn’t changeMarianothewayitdoeschangesomepeople.Idon’tthinkhegotbetter inthebig situation,he justdidn’t change thewayheapproachedhis job in thosebigspots.

MylastingmemoryofMowashisconsistencyinthewayhetreatedeverybodythesameway,whether[theplayerhad]beentherefortenyearsor if itwashisfirst day [with theYankees]. I think that played a big part inwhatmade himgreat.He’snotonlyconsistentonthemound,buthe’sconsistentinhisapproach

asahumanbeing.Hetreatseverybodywiththesameclassandrespect thatheexpectstobetreatedwith.Youdon’toftenseethatfromaplayerofhiscaliber—fromthebestpitchertoeverputonabaseballuniform.

MoRespect

DavidHuffTheleft-handedpitcherjoinedtheYankeesinthemiddleofthe2013season.

ThereisoneplayI’veseeninpersonthatsticksoutforme.IneverrealizedhowathletichewasuntilhewasfacingLuisValbuenaagainstus[ClevelandIndians]in2010.Valbuenahitaninsidecutterthatbrokehisbat.The barrelwas spinning backup themiddle atMarianoand sowas the ball.He jumped over thebarrel,landed,quicklydroppeddownandthrewtheballtofirst.Iwaswowed.Heisareallygoodplayer.HimwinningtheWorldSeries[fivetimes]anddominatingwithonepitch,it’sunbelievable.

Mariano’s greatness was expected, so there was never anything surprisingaboutit.Marianoonhisworstdaywasstillamazing.Halfwaythroughtheseasonyoulookupandhe’sgottwenty-fiveorthirtysaves.Hewasasclosetoautomaticandasurethingasthisgamehaseverseen.

PhilHughes

Pitcher

B

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesandMinnesotaTwinssince2007


MoCredHugheswasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeesfrom2007to2013.

EINGDOWNINthebullpenwithhimin2009wasreallyaneye-opener.Asastarter,yourelyonhimtocomeinfortheninthinningandstufflikethat,butyoudon’treallygetafeelforwhatit’sallaboutuntilyou’redown

there[inthebullpenwithhim].Thoseplayoffsituationswhereyou’releaningonhim to not only get you four outs, but sometimes six or seven [and still] hisdemeanoroutthereneverchanged.

Ifwe’reinasituationwherehe’sgoingtohavetocomeinandsavethegame,youcansee[something]click.Thatfirethatyouseeinhiseyeswhenhestartstodohisroutineandstretchingandallthat,youdefinitelynoticewhenhekindofclicks,andhe’sreadytogo.Whenheknewhewasgoingtohavetothrowtwo,maybethreeinningsattimes,healwaysansweredthebell.

OnemomentthatstandsoutIthinkisthelastoutofthe2009WorldSeries.It’s sort of cliché, but just to see his reaction after already having fourchampionships,thewayhe’sjumpingaroundlikealittlekid.Youcantellathisage, it never gets old, and I’m sure that’s the thing he’ll miss the most—competing on the field, and thosemoments of celebration. It’s something youdon’toftengetintherealworld.

MoRespect

JasonIsringhausenIsringhausenearned300careersaveswhilepitchingforfiveteamsfrom1995to2012.

IthinkthereshouldbealotmoreattentiongiventowhatMarianohasaccomplished.There’sonlygoingtobetwoguyswith600saves,andafterRivera,therewon’tbeanyonemore.Itwillneverhappenagain.

ShawnKelley

Reliefpitcher

C

PlayingCareerSeattleMarinersandNewYorkYankeessince2009

CareerStatistics177games,14wins,11losses,3.77earnedrunaverage,181innings,168hits,62walks,193strikeouts

MoCredKelleyjoinedtheYankeesinthebullpenasRivera’steammatein2013.

OMING FROM ANOTHER organization, you always hear about himbeingthis“greatguy,greatteammate,anunbelievableperson.”Youheardeverythingabouthim,andwhenyoumeethim,hedoesn’tdisappointyou

orletyoudown.Youmeethimandarelike,“Wow!”Youalmostthinknoonecouldliveupto

thoseexpectations.Nobodycouldbethatgood,orthatunflawed,thatpeoplecansaythat.Butwhenyoumeethim,he’stherealdeal,he’sthefullpackage,andhe’swhateveryonethinksheis.

One of the things that really showed his character tomewas how he takesthirtytofortyminutesoutofhisdayduringbattingpracticeontheroadtostopandsignautographsforguys.Hegoesdownthelineandsignsforalltheguys.He’snotasked todo that.But the fact thathedoes that,andhedealswith thepeoplestickingstuffandthrowingstuffathim,andhe justsits thereandsignsforlikethirtytofortyminutes,isimpressive.Youdon’tseethat.

Asmuchaseveryonewouldliketodoit,it’skindofahassle.Youhavetogetreadyforagame.Atthattime,whenbattingpracticeisending,youhavetoeat.Hesays,“Icantakethirtyminutesoutofmyscheduleandgivebacktothefans.”

MoRespect

PedroMartinezThethree-timeCyYoungAwardwinnerpitchedforthearchrivalBostonRedSoxforsevenyearsfrom1998to2004.

IloveMariano.IfIhavetoactuallygetinalineandwaitforanhourtogetMariano’sautograph,whichIthankGodIdon’thavetodo,butifIhadto,hewouldbetheguyIwoulddoitfor.

Believeitornot,MarianotookmeinhistruckanddrovemearoundNewYorktogohouseshopping[whenIsignedwiththeMetspriortothe2005season].He’stheonewhointroducedmetotheareawherehelivedandthat’swhereIboughtmyhouse.

NoteveryonehastheluxurytohaveMarianoasyourdriverandtakeyouaroundandthentakeyoutohishousetosharetimewithhisfamily.MeandMarianosharethesameagent,thatmadeiteasier.Butatthesametime,it’samutualrespectthatwehaveforeachother,andlove.

AlLeiter

Pitcher

M

PlayingCareerNew York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, FloridaMarlins, and New YorkMetsfrom1987to2005

CareerStatistics419games,162wins,132losses,2saves,3.80earnedrunaverage,2,391innings,2,152hits,1,163walks,1,974strikeouts

MoCredRiverasavedavictoryforLeiterinGame4ofthe2005AmericanLeagueDivisionSeriesagainsttheLosAngelesAngels;itwasLeiter’sfinalmajorleagueappearance.

ARIANO IS UNBELIEVABLY consistent. If you look at Mariano’sdeliveryandcompareitfrom1995totoday,it’sexactlythesamemotion.Youcanlookatvideoandoverlayhisdeliveryfromhisrookieseasonto

now—andwe’retalkingnineteenyears later—andit looksalmost identical.Hisreleasepoint,andtheflightoftheball,isthesame.Repeatingyourdeliveryoverandoveragainisreallyhardtodo,becausepitchingissuchanunusualmotion.Thingshappentoyourback,your leg,your finish, it’snoteversupposed tobethesame,butforMariano,itstillis.

JoeNathan

Reliefpitcher

I

PlayingCareerSanFranciscoGiants,MinnesotaTwins,TexasRangers,andDetroitTigerssince1999

CareerStatistics714games,57wins,30 losses,2.76earnedrunaverage,341saves,858 innings,625hits,311walks,912strikeouts

MoCredNathanbecamemajorleaguebaseball’sactivesavesleaderfollowingRivera’sretirement.

GREWUP IN theNewYork area as aMets fans. I neverwent to YankeeStadium and experienced Mariano’s entrance as a fan. I’ve only seen itcompetingagainsthim.It’salwayscooltoseehimcomeoutofthebullpenin

NewYorkbecause the fansstickaround.Ata lotofother stadiums thepeopletakeoffearly,theyleavebeforetheninthinning,butinNewYorkthat’snotthecase. InNewYork, youwant to see this guy pitch; youwant to hear the songwhenhecomesin.As a player on the opposing team, I don’twant to hear the song because thatmeanswe’relosing,it’slateinthegame,andMarianoiscominginforthesave.Ithink it’s crazy thatMariano [makeshisentrance to]aMetallica song. I’mnotsure if “Enter Sandman” is a song he picked, or if somebody helped him, buthoweveritcameabout,itworksgreat.*

IwatchthewayMarianogoesabouthisbusiness,thewayhehandleshimselfintoughsituations.Ipayattentiontothewayheconductshimself.Iwatchhowpoisedheis.Hedoesn’tjumparoundafterasave.Hejustshakeshandsandgetsoffthefieldandcomesbacktodoitagaintomorrow.I’vealwaysthoughthewasagoodrolemodelforplayersinthemajorleaguesandforyoungkidscomingupfromtheminor leagues.Herespectshisopponents,anddoesn’t showanybodyup.Itrytoemulatehim.He’sthetypeofguythatIlookupto.Ienjoygettingachance to talk toMarianowhenwe’reatAll-StarGamesandwhenwego intotowntofacetheYankees.**

Everyonesaysthepostseasoniswhenhe’sathisbest.Hisgreatperformancesstandoutmoreinthepostseasonbecauseeveryone’spayingcloserattention.Hedoesn’t treat situations any differently by making them bigger or smaller,

whether it’sapick-upgame inhisbackyardor theseventhgameof theWorldSeries.He’snotgoing toget tooexcited.He’s justgoing togetouts.WatchinghiminthepostseasonisjustlikewatchingMarianoasusual.He’sthesameguydoinghisjobwhetherit’stheregularseasonorthepostseason.***

WhatMarianohasaccomplishedisamazing.Hehasover600saves.That’saridiculoustotal. IstartedclosingwhenIwasaboutthirtyyearsold,sotheonlywayI’mgoingtoreach600savesisifIgettheopportunitytoclosegameswhenI’m fifty!His longevity, his endurance, his durability are at an incredibly highlevel.Gettingmy300thsavewasamazing.ButI’mstillcompetinginthemiddleofmy career, so I don’t focuson saves.Whatmattersmost is trying to securewinsformyteam.WhenIhangupmyspikes,thenwe’llseehowmanysavesIgot.Whenpeopleaskedmewhatgetting300meant,Isaid,“It’sonesavecloserto400.”

JoeHandsittoMoTexas Rangers’ closer Joe Nathan earned his first career All-Star Game save in 2013, arguably thegreatestmomentofthesix-timeAll-Star’scareer.NathanimmediatelyfoundRiveraandhandedhimthegameball,knowingthatwhilehemighthavetechnicallybeenthecloser,thegamebelongedtoRivera,whowasnamedtheMostValuablePlayer.

TobeabletohandtheballovertohimthatIsavedwithhiminthebullpenwasprettycool.It’snosecrethowmuchIlookuptohim,sotobeabletodothatforhimwasawesome.

It’sa thrillandanhonor just toget the chance to talk tohim. I satdownandhada20-,30-minuteconversation and just picked his brain. We all learn from each other and we can all probably takesomethingfromeach[other].

Thisgameisallaboutadjustmentsandtryingtomakeyourselfbetter.AndevenMariano,I’msure,isdoingwhatheneedstodotohavetheedgewhenhegoesoutthere.

I’mnotgoingto[approach]thesavestotalofMarianoRivera,butifIcanbeinthesamesentencewithhim,thatwillbequiteanaccomplishment.*

DennyNeagle

Pitcher

I

PlayingCareerMinnesotaTwins,PittsburghPirates,AtlantaBraves,CincinnatiReds,NewYorkYankees,andColoradoRockiesfrom1991to2004

CareerStatistics392games,124wins,92losses,3saves,4.24earnedrunaverage,1,890innings,1,887hits,594walks,1,415strikeouts

MoCredNeaglewasRivera’steammateontheYankees’2000WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

WASALSOON theothersidewithAtlanta inthe1996WorldSerieswhenJohnWettelandwas thecloser for theYankeesandMarianowas settingupforhim.Icantellyouwithoutadoubtthatourhitterswereactuallylooking

forward to facing the closer, rather than the guywhowas the set-upman. It’srare for a team to feel that way. I remember our hitters saying, “ThankGod,Wettelandiscomingin,atleastwe’vegotachancenow.”

Bynomeans is that a knock against JohnWetteland, hehad a great career,too.ButbecauseMarianohadsuchamazingstuff,youknewwhatkindoftalenthewasevenbeforehewasclosing.

TheyoungMarianoRiveracouldthrowprettyhard.Theradargunmightread94 or 95 miles per hour. Although hitters knew he was throwing hard, 95[m.p.h.]actuallyfeelslike99[m.p.h.]againsthim.Somepitchersaremaximumeffort. They’re all arms and legs coming at you.RobDibble [of theReds] andMitchWilliams[of thePhillies]come tomind,guyswhorearbackandgive iteverythingtheyhave.Mariano’smotion issosmoothandthemechanicsofhisdeliverysoeffortless, theballseemstogetontopofyouinaheartbeat.GuysIplayedwith[inAtlanta]likeRyanKleskoandJavierLopezcouldn’tbelievehowquickly the pitch got on them. They would come back to the dugout saying,“God,IthoughtIwasrightonthatpitchandbeforeIknewit,itwasbyme.”

Hewassoeffortlessitdidn’tseemlikehewasthrowingthathard.Beingonthesameteamwithhimwasspecial;hewasajoytowatch.Onething

aboutMariano that jumpsout ishowhecarrieshimselfonaday-to-daybasis.Mariano personifieswhat being a professional is all about.When I joined theYankees he already had the resume, and he had the credentials to back it up.

Someplayerslettheiregosgetintheway,theyfeelthey’reabovethegame,andthey act like they’re above the fans. Not Mariano Rivera. Look up the word“professional” and you’ll seeMariano’s picture; if he’s not the face of what itmeanstobeaprofessional,he’scertainlyoneofthefacesofit.

Everyonceinawhile,apersoncomesalonginasportthatyoucan’thelpbuttake notice of. Even his fellow competitors and teammates take notice of howtheywork:whattheydotoprepare,howtheythrow,whentheythrow.Iconsidermyselfabigfanofthegame,aswellasacompetitorplayingthegame,andthereareaselectfewplayersthatIwouldstopwhateverIwasdoingtowatchthemgoabouttheirbusiness.IhadthepleasureofplayingwithGregMadduxforthreeyearsinAtlanta;hewasoneofthoseguys.Towatchthewayhecarriedhimself,preparedforgames,studiedhitters,itwasamazing,eventhelittlestthingswereimportanttowatchbecauseyoucan’thelpbutlearnfromaguylikethat.

It’s the same thingwithMariano. Iwatchedhowhe prepared, howhe tookcareofhisbody,andthewayhecarriedhimself.Hehasthesameroutineeveryday and he goes out to the bullpen at a certain point in the game. I can’tremember his exact routine, but I do know he would go to the bullpen a lotearlierthanotherclosers.That’sanotherpersonalitytraitofMariano’sthatgoestoshowyouwhatkindofpersonandwhatkindofteammateheis.Hewantedtoshowhisfellowrelieversthathewasn’tabovethem.Healsowenttothebullpenearlytobeabletohelpoutanotherreliever.Hewantedtobetheretohelpinanywayhecould.

One game that sticks out in my head was my fourth or fifth start for theYankees.WewereinKansasCity,andIrememberitwasahard-foughtgame.Ipitchedreallywell,butwewerelosing1-0.Theninthetopoftheninthinningwewerefortunatetoputtogetherabigrally,buttheRoyalsfoughtbacktomakeagameof it.ThenMarianocame in tosave it. Itwasn’tanything inparticularthathedid. Itwasn’tawowmoment;hedidn’t strikeout the sideoranythinglike that.But I remember sittingon thebenchwithacomforting feeling that Iwasgoingtogetthewinfortheteam.*

In years past, playing on teams with different closers, even good ones likeMarkWohlersinAtlanta,asgoodastheywere,there’ssomethingaboutMarianothatisaverycomfortingfactor.Asastartingpitcheryoupacetheninthinninguntil you get that W. It’s baseball and crazy things can happen, but whenMarianowalkedonthemounditwaslightsout,gameover,chalkthisupasaWfortheteam.Evenbeforethethirdoutwascalled,youlikedyourchancestowinbecauseMarianowasinthegame.

IthankGodIdidn’teverhavetobatagainsthim,becauseotherwiseIwouldhavehadsomesplintersinmyhands.

JeffNelson

Reliefpitcher

I

PlayingCareerSeattleMariners, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and ChicagoWhite Soxfrom1992to2006


MoCredNelsonspentsixseasonsinthebullpenwithRiverawhileplayingfortheYankeesandtogethertheyhelpedtheteamwinfourWorldSeriestitlesin1996,1998,1999,and2000.

REMEMBERHIMIN 1995, his rookie year, when I waswith Seattle.Ourhitterscouldn’ttouchhim.Iremembersomeofourhittersprobablythanking[Yankees’manager]BuckShowalterthathedidn’tpitchMarianoinsomekey

situations[intheAmericanLeagueDivisionSeries].*He’sgotsuchasmoothwind-upandaneasydelivery.Theballgetsonyoufast

and thatmakes it hard for a batter to pick up his cutter. As a rookie, hewasthrowingharderthanheisnow.Backthenhecouldhit96[milesperhour].Hewould pound left-handed hitters inside, pitch right-handed hitters away, andthenalsoclimbtheladder.Afastballupinthezonelooksgoodtoahitter,butwithMariano, the ball gets on you so quickly that he gets a lot of swings andmisses.Addthattohiscutter,whichissohardtopickup,andthat’swhatmakeshimsodominanttoface.IftheYankeeshadtheleadandhecameinthegame,youcouldtelltheotherteamisthinking:“Ohno,Mo’scominginandit’sover.”

Myjobwastopitchtheseventhoreighthinning,andtogetmyouts,becauseIknewifIdidmyjob,Marianowascomingintopitchtheninthinning.MygoalwastoleaveMarianowiththreeouts;Ididn’twanthimcominginintheeighthinning—[Yankees’manager]JoeTorredidn’twanthimcominginintheeighth.IwantedtogetthoseoutsintheeighthandletMopitchtheninth.

Eventhoughhe’spitchingoneinning,heisbyfarthemostdominantpitcherI’veeverseen.Playersallaroundtheleagueknowthatifit’stheninthinningandtheYankeeshavethelead,[thegame]isover.Opposingmanagerscringewhentheyseehimrunningoutfrombehindtheoutfieldwall.

Itwashisroutinetocomeouttothebullpenintheseventhinningtogetready

fortheninth.He’squiet.Theonlytimeheletslooseiswhenit’sablowout,whenthe gamegets out ofhand, andheknowshe’snot getting into the game; thenhe’llrelaxabit,he’llsmileandjokearound.Onthosenightshewouldcomeout[to the bullpen] toparticipate in a gagor a joke and thenhe’d goback to thedugout.

Youdon’tknowbylookingathimifhe’sdoneagreatjoborbadjob,hestaysthesameallthetime.Heforgetsabouthispastouting,whetherit’sgoodorbad.Ifit’sbad,andhegaveupthegame,thenextnighthewantstheballagain.He’sgotashortmemory,andthat’sthekeytobeingagreatreliever.

AndyPettitte

Pitcher

W

PlayingCareerNewYorkYankeesandHoustonAstrosfrom1995to2013

CareerStatistics531games, 256wins, 153 losses, 3.85 earned runaverage, 3,316 innings, 3,448hits,1,031walks,2,448strikeouts

MoCredRiverahassavedawinforPettitte72timesintheircareers—themostofanystarter-closerduoinbaseballhistory.

EWEREKINDofup-and-comingstartersintheorganization.Iknowin ’95 he broke in the rotation. Iwas in the rotation andhe cameupduringthemiddleoftheyear,madeafewstarts.Thentheyturnedhim

intoareliever.Justtoseehimcomingup,pitchingwithmeinthat’95rotation.Thentoseehimnow, turned intoarelieverandwhathe’sbeenable todo, it’samazingtosee,that’sforsure.

Man,therearesomanyfavoritetimesthatIthinkabout.GameSevenagainstBostonin2003wasaspecialmoment.Hekindofroseaboveeverything,justlike,“Igotanotherinninginme.”Heprobablycouldhavepitchedasmanyinningsasweneededhimto,ifBooney[AaronBoone]wouldn’thavehitthathomerun.

Wejusthaveaspecialrelationship.Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit.Obviously,when you spent as much time together after as many years as we’ve beentogether,youjustkindofgrowalittleclosertooneanotherthanyouwouldwithotherteammates.He’salwaysbeenthereforme.

ObviouslyIfeelrealsecureandgoodaboutthingswheneveryouseethatguycomes running in from thebullpen in theninth inning.For someone thathasdonethethingsMohasdoneinthisgameandbeenasgreatashehas,it’sspecialformewatchinghimthisyearknowingthisisgoingtobehislastyear.Afterthis,hewon’tbeclosinganygamesforus,soI’llsavoritasmuchasIcan.

It’sexcitingformetoknowhe’sgoingtogettheopportunitytodothethingshe’sbeenlookingforwardtodoingwithhisfamily.Butalsoit’ssad,knowinghe’snotgoingtobegoingbackouttheretakingthemoundatYankeeStadiumintheninth inning and closinggamesout for theYankees after this year. It’s been ablessing for me to be able to say I’ve played with him, and obviously, if he’shappy,I’mhappy.

MostWin/SaveCombinations,All-Time*AndyPettitteandMarianoRivera(NewYorkYankees) 72

BobWelchandDennisEckersley(OaklandAthletics) 57MikeMussinaandMarianoRivera(NewYorkYankees) 49

DaveStewartandDennisEckersley(OaklandAthletics) 43

JimmyKeyandTomHenke(TorontoBlueJays) 37KevinTapaniandRickAguilera(MinnesotaTwins) 37*Sincesavesbecameanofficialstatisticin1969CourtesyoftheEliasSportsBureau

J.J.Putz

Reliefpitcher

I

PlayingCareerSeattle Mariners, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, and ArizonaDiamondbackssince2003

CareerStatistics554games,36wins,32 losses,189saves,2.99earnedrunaverage,553 innings,452hits,178walks,585strikeouts

MoCredPutzbeatoutRiveratowintheRolaidsReliefManawardin2007astheAmericanLeague’stopreliefpitcher.

HADANOPPORTUNITY to talkwith [Mariano] in 2006, the first year Iwasclosing.Hespentaboutfortyminuteswithmetalkingbehindhomeplateatthreeo’clockintheafternoonbeforebattingpractice.Itwasjustanhonor

tobeonthefieldwithhim,butalsotobeabletotalktohimandkindofpickhisbrainwasprettyspecial.[It’s]somethingI’llneverforget.

He’s amazing. It’s hard enoughpitching late in the gamewith an arsenal ofpitches. But to be able to go out there and be as dominant as he is—he’sundoubtedly themostdominant late-gamerelieverever toplay thegame—andthefactthathediditwithonepitch,makesitthatmuchmoreremarkable.

Inmyopinion,he’snotjustthebestrelieverofall time;Ithinkhe’sthebestpitcher—period—of all time. Just the dominance he’s had for almost twodecades,onthestagethathe’sdoneiton,allthepostseasonrecordsheholds,it’smind-boggling.

Nobodywants torememberaguy likeMogettingcartedoff [the field]onaJohnDeeretractor.He’sbeenoneofthebiggestattractionsinthisgame,andthefactthathecameout[afterhis2012kneeinjury]andsaidhe’snotgoingoutlikethatreallymademesmile.

DavidRobertson

Reliefpitcher

I



MoCredRobertson,whohasspenttimeinthebullpenasRivera’steammatewiththeYankeessince2008,isconsideredbymostbaseballexpertstobeRivera’sheirapparent.

TRYNOT TO think about [the pressure of taking over for Rivera as thecloser].IfIgettheopportunitytocloseballgames,I’mgoingtotrytodothesamethingI’vebeendoingintheeighthinning.Youhavetogetthreeguys

out; you’ve got to keep the momentum on your side and not make a lot ofmistakes.

IfIgettheopportunity[asthenextYankees’closer]hopefullyIcandowell,butasofnow,I’mnotworriedaboutit.Wegotthebestguythereisrightnowatthebackofbullpen.IfwecangetaleadIamveryconfidentwecankeeptheleadandwin theball game.Mariano is good—he’s really good.Every time Iwatchhimpitch, I think, gosh, henever seems tomakemistakes.He’s just amazing.He’salwaysontopofhisgame.He’soneofakind.He’snotworriedabouttheend [of his career]. He’s enjoying his last year and having fun winning ballgames.

Most impressive about Mariano is his confidence, his consistency, and hismound presence. It doesn’t matter who’s in the [batter’s] box, he knows he’sgoingtomakepitchafterpitchafterpitch.Eitheryou’regoingtogetluckyandgetahit,orhe’sgoingtogetyouout.Hethrowsonepitch.He’llthrowasinkereverynowandthen,buthelivesanddiesbythatcutter.Peopleknowit’scomingand he still gets them out. It’s unbelievable. I think hitters get themselves outbecausebythetimeguysgetinthe[batter’s]boxthey’realreadythinkingabouthowthatcutterisgoingtoeatthemup.

Whenhetakesthemoundyoudon’teverseehimflusteredormadbecausehegave up a hit. He battles his way out of situations. You never see his facialfeatureschange.Nothingbothershim.Whenhehadthatblownsaveagainstthe

Mets,thenextday,intheclubhouse,hewaslaughingandjokingandcarryingonlikenothinghappened.It’sareliever’slife.Youcanhavebadgames,twoorthreeinarow,butyou’vegotputyourselftogetherforthenextgame.It’slikehitting;ifyougetinaslump,youhavetodigyourwayoutofit.*

MoRespect

CCSabathiaThe indomitable Yankees’ acewas Rivera’s teammate on the Yankees from 2009 to 2013, andwas amemberofthe2009WorldSerieschampionshipteam.

He’sbeenoneofthebestplayersinMajorLeagueBaseballforalongtime,andtodoitallwiththeYankeesisunbelievable.

Everydayisthesameforhim,whetherwewinorlose,goodorbad,youcannevertell.He’salwaysthesame.That’ssomethingspecialinbaseball,andhehasthat.

He’sbeenconsistent ineveryway.Hecomes inanddoeshiswork.He’s focused.That’s thewordthatcomestomind.

Justbeingabletobeonhisteamforthelastfiveseasonsandhavethefeelingthatwhenhecomesinthegame,it’sprettymuchover,hasbeenawesome.

Ithoughtwhatwasdoneforhimatthe[2013]All-StarGamewasamazing.Itwasgreathowhetookthefieldbyhimself,andgotastandingovationfromthecrowd, and from players on both teams. I got chills watching it on television.AndtogettheMostValuablePlayeraward,too,he’sjustsodeservingofalltherespecthegets.He’s suchaniceguy.He’s the sameguy everyday.WhenyoumeetMarianoRiverayouknowyou’remeetingsomeonespecial.He’soneofthebestpeopleI’veeverknowninmylife.

CurtSchilling

Pitcher

M

PlayingCareerBaltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, ArizonaDiamondbacks,andBostonRedSoxfrom1988to2007

CareerStatistics569games,216wins,146losses,22saves,3.46earnedrunaverage,3,261innings,2,998hits,711walks,3,116strikeouts

MoCredSchillingandtheDiamondbacksdefeatedRivera’sYankeesinthe2001WorldSeriesandSchillingdiditagaininthe2004AmericanLeagueChampionshipSeriesasamemberoftheRedSox.

ARIANOISANincrediblyintelligentguy.He’salwayshadunbelievablecommand,andhe’ssomebodywhohasstudiedhiscraft.

He’saknuckleballerwithoutaknuckleball.Theknuckleballisafluke,it’safreakpitch;therehaveonlybeenfourorfiveguyswhohavemasteredthepitch. A lot of guys can throw a cutter—and a lot of guys throw really goodcutters.Butuntilthelastfiveyearsofhiscareer,peoplesaidhiscareerwasbuiltonthatonepitch,butitgetsbacktowhatIbelieveeverypitchermusthavetobea truly good pitcher—command. There’s a difference between control andcommand. Control is the ability to throw strikes. Command is the ability tothrowastrikewhereyouwantto.Marianocommandshiscuttertobothsidesoftheplate.

Itwasnever just a cutter; it’snot just onepitch.What a lot ofpeopledon’tunderstandisthathiscutterissixpitches:Toaleft-handedbatterhecanthrowitdownandin,at thebeltandin,andat thechestandin;andtoaright-handedbatterhethrowsitdownandaway,downandin,andatthebeltandin.Intheoryit’sonepitch,buthehassuchcommandofit,thatactuallyit’slikesixpitches.

JohnSmoltz

Pitcher

W

PlayingCareerAtlantaBraves,BostonRedSox,andSt.LouisCardinalsfrom1988to2009

CareerStatistics723 games, 213 wins, 155 losses, 154 saves, 3.33 earned run average, 3,473innings,3,074hits,1,010walks3,084strikeouts

MoCredSmoltz’sBraveslosttoRivera’sYankeesintheWorldSeriesin1996and1999.

EFACEDMARIANOintheWorldSeriesin1996,whenhewastheset-up man for the Yankees and they had a really good closer in JohnWetteland. Mariano was so dominant that when he went out of the

game,youthought,“Nowwehaveachance—andWetteland,agoodcloser,wascominginthegame!”Eventhen,youcouldseethefuture;veryfewtimescanyouseethefutureinaplayer’sprogressionwhenhegoesfromset-upmantocloser.He was closing games whenwe faced the Yankees again in the 1999 [World]Seriesandyoucouldseewhatagreatjobhedidwhenhegotinthatposition.

He’s made general managers have nightmares in the sense that if you putMarianoonanyteamhe’dstillbethegreatestclosertoeverpitch.Idon’tknowifhisimpactwouldbeasdevastatingonanotherteam,becausetheYankeeswerealwaysinthepostseason.It’sthechickenandtheeggargument.Yourteamhastohavetheleadtogettohim,andwhenyoudogettohim,thegameisover.He’sthemostconsistentlydominantcloserinthatroleofanyguyI’veeverseen.TheYankeeshadotheroutstandingplayers,buthesingle-handedlywasresponsibleforwhy theYankeeswon those fouroutof fiveworldchampionships.He’s anautomaticfirst-timeHallofFamer.Tohavethestatisticsthathehasisonething,buttodoitintheclutch,togetbetterinthepostseason,isremarkable.

Marianohaschangedthewaytheroleofthecloserisviewed.Peopletodaystillthink of the closer as a specialized role. It’s different from years ago whenrelievers went three innings to get a save. Baseball isn’t played against time,there’s no clock ticking, but the clock ticking in everyone’smind is that ifwedon’thavethe lead inthesixth inning,webetterget itnow,orbytheseventh,because Mariano could come in and pitch two innings. He is such a greatweapontohave,becauseyourstrategychangesifyou’retheopposingmanager,andthestartingpitcheronyourteamfeelsbetterknowingthatevenifyougetin

trouble,there’sMarianobehindyoutobackyouup.There’ssuchapsychologicaldisadvantage[foranopponent]whenMarianocomesinthegame.Youcouldsayhe hadwhat Tiger [Woods] had for a long timewhen he stepped on the golfcourse,anadvantagebeforeheeventhrewapitch.

He’sgeneticallyable todo thingsunlikeanyotherpitcher. Ifhecould teachthecuttertosomebodyelseIdon’tthinktheycouldduplicateit.Everyonethinkspitchingandbowlingisthesamewhereyouhavethesemechanicsdownpatandyoucanrepeatit.Hehasanabilitytorepeathismechanicssosmoothly,tomakeitlookaseasyashedoes,itseemslikehecanthrowforever.

MikeStanton

Reliefpitcher

W

PlayingCareerAtlantaBraves,BostonRedSox,TexasRangers,NewYorkYankees,NewYorkMets,WashingtonNationals, San FranciscoGiants, andCincinnati Reds from1989to2007

CareerStatistics1,178games,68wins,63losses,84saves,3.92earnedrunaverage,1,114innings,1,086hits,420walks,895strikeouts

MoCredStantonspentsevenseasonsinthebullpenwithRiverawhileplayingfortheYankees,andtogethertheyhelpedtheteamwinthreeWorldSeriestitlesin1998,1999,and2000.

ITHOUTMARIANO,[theYankees]mighthavewonaWorldSeriesortwo,butwedon’twinallofthem.WhenyouhaveaguylikeMarianoatthe end of the game, especially in the postseason,who you know is a

slamdunktocloseoutthegame—he’sgot42careerpostseasonsaves—whenyouhavethatguyattheendofaballgameitmakesyourteamthatmuchbetter.Youknowthatifyou’rewinninglateinthegamethere’saprettygoodchanceyou’regoingtowinattheend.WhenthatdooropensandNo.42comesgallopingoutof thebullpen, running like a gazellebecausehe’s sucha great athlete, it’s likeoneoutforyourteamrightthere.Youcanseeguysintheotherdugoutputtheirheadsdown,becausetheyknowthey’regoingtobeluckytojustsquareaballup,muchlessgetarun.

You lookbackatoneof the fewblownsaveshehad in thepostseason—thatwastheLuisGonzalezblooperoversecondbasetoloseGameSevenofthe2001WorldSeries—you seenothing is squaredupon theguy. It’sunbelievable. It’snotreallyonepitch.He’sgotafastballthatcutsandhe’llletuponitandturnitover,butit’sstillallthesamevelocity.Forbigleaguehittersnottobeabletoputtheheadof thebat on theball consistently,when all you’redoing is throwingwithonevelocity, itdoesn’tmatterhowgood thosepitchersare, it’sabsolutelyincredible.He’sbeenafreakofnaturehiswholecareer.

Whatyoulookatwhenyoutalkaboutthegreatestclosereverishowhegoesabouthisbusiness.Therehavebeenalotofgreatclosers,butformostofthem,it’salwaysanadventurebecausetheywalkbattersandalwayshaveguysonbase.

NotMariano. I’d love toknowthenumbers,but it seemsa largepercentageofhis savescomethreeupandthreedown.There’snodramawhatsoever.Handsdown, there’s not even a question, he’s the greatest closer of all time. DennisEckersley was very good for several years, but whatMariano’s done, the wayMariano’sgoneaboutit,thewayhe’scarriedhimselfovertheyears,themystiqueof doing it on the biggest stage in sports, year in and year out,with icewaterrunningthroughhisveins,Idon’tthinkthere’sanargument.

Marianobeingtheclosermademyjobeasier.Thejobofareliefpitcheristogetsomeoneelseoutoftrouble.IfIgetintrouble,thenextguydowntheline,it’shisjobtogetmeoutoftrouble.Andifit’saballgametheYankeesreallyhavetohave, there’sagoodchanceMariano’sgoingtopitchmorethanone inning,soyoujusthavetogetacoupleofouts.

What’s uncanny is how effective he is pitching to the first batter he faces. Iwanttoknowthebattingaverageagainsthimwhenfacingthefirstbatter;itcan’tbehigherthana.200average.Torepeathismechanics,toputtheballwherehewantsto,it’sablatantrefusaltoeverlose.

MostGamesPitched,AllTimeJesseOrosco 1,252MikeStanton 1,178JohnFranco 1,119MarianoRivera 1,115DennisEckersley 1,071HoytWilhelm 1,070DanPlesac 1,064MikeTimlin 1,058KentTekulve 1,050TrevorHoffman 1,035

TanyonSturtze

Pitcher

T

PlayingCareerChicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, ChicagoWhite Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, TorontoBlueJays,NewYorkYankees,andLosAngelesDodgersfrom1995to2008


MoCredSturtzespentthreeseasonsinthebullpenwithRiveraplayingfortheYankeesin2004,2005,and2006.

HEBIGGESTTHRILLwasbeing able toplay catchwithMariano everyday,andlearningfromhimhowtobeareliever.WhenIcametoNewYorkIwasastarterandIreallyhadnoideahowtopitchoutofthebullpen.He

wasatremendoushelptomeinmakingthetransitionfromastartingpitchertoareliefpitcher.

Wewere throwing partners for all the years that I was with the Yankees. Ijumped[atthechance]becauseIwantedtobenexttohim.ToplaycatchwithMariano isnot likeplayingcatchwithanyoneelse. If youdon’thithim in thechesthegotupset.Itwasn’tplayingcatchtoplaycatch—itwasplayingcatchtowork.That’swhathetaughtme.Whenyougettothefieldit’stimetowork.

Hemakeshavingasimplecatchintoagameofconcentration.It’samazingtowatch him play catch. You put your glove at a certain spot on your body—atyourleftshoulderoronyourrighthip—andhecanthrowthecutterrighttothatspot.Ofcoursehethrewcutters.Idon’tthinkMarianocanthrowaballstraightanymore,everythingisacutterandeverythingisrightinthespothewantstohit.He’saperfectionist.It’simpressivetowatchhisworkethicandthewayhegoesabouteachdayattheballpark.That’swhyhe’sthegreatestofalltime.

Ofcoursehewasthecaptainofthebullpen.Togoouteverysinglenightanddowhat he does on themound is very impressive. Sometimes people take forgrantedhow great he really is. It’s not that easy to get three outs in theninthinning.Somanytimeshegotoutofadifficultsituationthatyoudidn’tthinkwaspossible.Hewouldmakeyourjawdroptwiceamonth.Itcertainlymadeourjobasrelieversaloteasierknowingthatifwemadeamesshewascominginbehindusandhe’dcleanitup.Ifweputhiminabadpositionwithmenonbasewith

nobodyout,he’dshatterthreebatsandgetoutofit.HewaslikeHoudini—he’dalwaysfindawaytoescape.

Hehelpedmebecomeabetterpersonandabetterreliever.Everythingthathetellsyouhasameaningbehindit.Moisoneofthoseguysthatradiatepositivity.Tobe around somebodywho is like that, it rubsoff onyou.Youwon’t find abetter person, or amore positive person.He truly treats everybody the same,whetheryouhaveonedayinthebigleaguesortwentyyearsinthebigleagues,itdoesn’tmattertoMariano.

RickSutcliffe

Pitcher

I

PlayingCareerLosAngelesDodgers,Cleveland Indians,ChicagoCubs, BaltimoreOrioles, St.LouisCardinalsfrom1978to1994

CareerStatistics457games,171wins,139losses,6saves,4.08earnedrunaverage,2,697innings,2,662hits,1,081walks,1,679strikeouts

MoCredSutcliffewasthe1979RookieoftheYearandthe1984NationalLeagueCyYoungAwardwinner.

TWASANemotionalfarewelltoMarianoatYankeeStadium.It’sascloseaswe’lleverget toperfect inthegameofbaseball.Marianostartedtearingup.Wewerecryingwithhim.Itwasgreatemotion,greattheater.Ithoughtwhat

they did at the All-Star Game would never be topped, when he came in byhimselfintheeighthinning,andeveryoneintheworldstoodupandapplauded,butthiswasevenbetter.*

Isalute theYankees for thinkingof it,and[Derek]Jeterand[Andy]Pettitteforgoingouttothemound.Itwasperfection.AttheAll-StarGameatCitiField,the ovationMariano got from the fanswhen itwas just him out there on themound,andalsofromhispeersonbothsidesofthefield,tellsyouthere’sneverbeenanybody—player,pitcher,reliever,starter—likeMarianoRiverabefore.

Mariano thrived playing in New York. There’s no other organization inbaseballthathashadtwentyconsecutivewinningseasons.ThatsustainedsuccessgaveMarianotheopportunitytosaveallthosegames.WeknowTrevorHoffmanalsohas 600 career saves, but the separation ofMarianoRivera and any othercloser iswhathe’sdone in thepostseason,andnootherorganizationhasbeenthereasmanytimesastheYankees.

Nopitcherhassuchanimpactontheopposingteambyjustwarmingup.Asamanager you know you only have twenty-four outs to get the lead, because ifyou’rebehindgoingintotheninthinningyou’regoingtolosethatballgame.Theone statistic that jumpsout atme, and there’s somanyof themwithMarianoRivera,ishepitchedin96postseasongames,andeveryoneofthemwaswiththegame on the line, and he only had one loss, in the 2001World Series againstArizona.Ispoketo[Yankees’manager]JoeGirardiandJoetoldmethebullpen

of the New York Yankees has been the biggest key to their success inchampionship games. Looking back on it, they’ve always had that closer inMarianoRiveratogooutthereandnaildownthoseWorldSeriesvictories.

Joewassayingthere’snodoubtinhismindthatMarianocouldbeeffectivefortwoorthreemoreyears.Buthe’slostthatdesiretopreparetoplay.Thedesiretoplayisalwaysgoingtobethere.It’sthepreparationthatMarianoRiveraputintoeverything,notonlyphysically,asyoulookathimthebodyisstillthesame,butthementalpartofit.Weknowthathehadthelegendarycutter,buthedidtheresearch, he did the homework, to find out where to place that cutter to stayaway fromopposinghitters’ power.Healways talked about staying away fromsluggingpercentage.Henotonlyhadtheabilitytothrowthatpitchbuttolocateit,andknowwheretolocateit.

HeartfeltHugsIdidn’texpectforhimtobequitesoemotional.Hebrokedownandjustgavemeabearhug,andIjustbear-huggedhimback.Hewasreallycrying.Hewasweeping.Icouldfeelhimcryingonme.

—AndyPettitte

We’vebeen througheverything together. I’m justhappyhewasable togooutlike this.What the fansdid for him thiswhole homestandwas awesome. I’mgratefulI’vebeenhisteammateforpartsof21years.

—DerekJeter

Aftertheeighthinning,IknewIwasgoingbackforthelasttime.Itwasatotallydifferent feeling. I had all the flashbacks from the minor leagues to the bigleaguesallthewaytothismoment.Itwasalittlehard.Iwasabletocomposemyselfandcomebackout.

TheybothcametogetmeoutandIwas thankful theycameout. Ineeded themthereandtheywerethere.IwasbombardedwithemotionsandfeelingsthatIcouldn’tdescribe.Everythinghitatthattime.Iknewthatthatwasthelasttime,period.Ineverfeltsomethinglikethatbefore.

—MarianoRivera

When I think of Mariano Rivera I think about Greg Maddux. He was thegreatest startingpitcherofmy time,Marianobeing thegreatest closer. It’snotnaturalability,asmuchasbothofthoseguysweresmarterthantheotherpeopletheywentupagainst.WhenIthinkofMarianoRivera,wealwaystalkabouthiscutter,butit’stheintelligencethathehastoprepare,tostayawayofwherethehitter cando themostdamage.He throws it toboth sidesof theplate, andhewould elevate it to finishpeople off. So that’swhere the encyclopedicmindsetcomesintoplay,separatinghimfromotherpeoplethathaveequalability.

MoRespect

JustinVerlanderTheDetroitTigers’acegaveMarianoRiveraawarmhugasRiverawalkedoffthemoundfollowinghisfinalAll-StarGameappearanceatCitiFieldinNewYork,onJuly16,2013.

Ididn’ttellMarianoanything.Itwasjustanembrace.Iwantedtoshowmyrespectforhiscareerandwhathe’sdone.Ijustwantedtogivehimtherespectthathedeserved.

Ididn’tplantobethefirstoneoutthere.Itjustsortofhappenedthatway.IwasstandingbythedugoutrailingandIwasthefirstonehecameto.Forhimtocomeoverandgivemeahug,whatanexperience,that’ssomethingI’llalwaysremember.

It’skindofsurrealforme.Ihadtearsinmyeyes.Itwassospecial.I’llneverforgetit.Ihavesomuchrespectforhimasapersonandasaplayer,andthat’stheexperienceI’llneverforget.Thatisamoment,absolutely, onehundredpercent.Beinghis teammate for theday is something I’mgoing to tellmykidsabout.

RonVillone

Reliefpitcher

Y

PlayingCareerSeattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians,CincinnatiReds,ColoradoRockies,HoustonAstros,PittsburghPirates,FloridaMarlins, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationalsfrom1995to2009

CareerStatistics717games, 61wins, 65 losses, 8 saves, 4.73 earned run average, 1,168 innings,1,115hits,637walks,925strikeouts

MoCredVillonespenttwoseasonsinthebullpenwithRiverawhileplayingfortheYankeesin2006and2007.

OUKNEWWHENMarianoRivera arrived in thebullpen—especially athome—because everyone in the crowd near the bullpen got loud. If youdidn’tknowhewasinthebullpen,yousurefelthispresencebytherumble

inYankeeStadium.Whenhewalks into thebullpenhe’s there to get ready totakecareofbusiness.

Mariano is the consummate professional. He knows how to go about hisbusiness,andhowtotakecareofbusiness.Heunderstandsthetaskathandeverysingleday.Hedoesn’tchange;hedoesn’tveerfromthecourseofsuccess.Hehadaroutine.Anybodywho’ssuccessfulhasaroutine.Baseballplayersarecreaturesofhabit.Marianowasgoodathisroutine,whichwastogettothebullpenatthesametimeeveryday,andtodothesamethingstogetreadybeforethegame.

Believe me, he is intense. You don’t weigh his intensity by looking at theemotioninhisface;youmeasurehisintensitybywhat’sbetweenhisears.He’samild-manneredman.Hehasaninnerstrengthandanabilitytoholdeverythingtogether,eveninthemostpressure-packedsituationinsports.He’sthatwayonadailybasis,whetherit’sthefirstgameoftheseasonorthelastgameoftheWorldSeries.Youcan’tteachit.Hehastheinnateabilitytotakepressureandputitinhispocket.Ifyouneedtodescribetheterm“closer,”hedescribesitbetterthananybodyeverhas.He’sthesingularmeaningofdomination.

He’sallabout findingawaytogetbetter. It’snotonething—it’severything.He’sall in.He’sateamplayerandheunderstandswhatittakestowin.Henotonlyleadsbyexample,heleadswiththatnice,soft,veryconfidentvoiceofhis,

thatseemstobesaying,“Iknowhowtowin,soyoushouldlistentome.”Hedoesn’ttellyouwhatyouhavetodo;hesharestheinformationthatworks

forhim.Experienceisthebestteacher.He’lltellyouwhathe’sthinking.Forhimtodothatshowshe’snotholdinganythingback,andthat’sthereasonsomanypeoplearoundhimaresuccessful.

I enjoyed being around him every day. He was always willing to shareinformation tohelpmegetbetter.You’re trying to findways towin, andhe’llhelpyouwithyourpreparationforthegamebytalkingtoyouabouthowtogetthehittersoutsowecanstrandthe[base]runners.He’sveryawareofhowhisbullpenmatesarefeelingandrelateswelltous.It’salmostasifhehadeyesinthebackofhishead.Heknewhowmuchyou’dbeenthrowing,andifyouweretired,he’dsuggestyoutakeiteasythatdayduringyour[pre-game]throwingroutine.

Mariano is confident, but I don’t think anybody in baseball ever getscomfortable, because if you do, somebody’s able to beat you. He’s alwaysconfident, always in control; he has unbelievable poise on and off the field. IrememberonegameinDetroitwhenhepitchedthreeinnings.Beforethegame,[manager] JoeTorrewaswalking around the clubhouse talking to us—hewasalwaysaskingusquestions,hewasagreatcommunicator—becauseJoethoughthemightneedtoextendthebullpenalittlebitthatnight[becausethescheduledstartingpitcherAaronSmallwascomingbackfromahamstringinjury].

Marianosaid,“I’mready.”Hewasalwaysready;hedidn’tblink.YouneversawMarianosweat,henever

lost confidence, andheneverwavered.Nothingever shockedhim,andhewasnever surprised.During the outfield pre-game [warm-ups] and in the bullpenyouhadthefeelingthatsomethingwasgoingtohappenthatnight.Sureenough,itwasatightgameandMarianowentinandpitchedthreeinningsforthewin.*

MoRespect

AdamWarrenWarrenwasRivera’steammateinthebullpenin2012and2013.

Hepullsmeasideeverynowandthen,ifIhavearoughgame,andgivesmesomeadvice[on]howtopitch,sometimeshowtoapproachthementalaspectofthegame.Hehashelpedmepitchatthislevelbytakingmeunderhiswingalittlebitandshownmetheway.Tobeabletobeteammatesandtalkandpickhisbrainisprettyamazing.

JohnWetteland

Reliefpitcher

T

PlayingCareerLosAngelesDodgers,MontrealExpos,NewYorkYankees, andTexasRangersfrom1989to2000

CareerStatistics48wins,45losses,330saves,2.98earnedrunaverage,765innings,616hits,252walks,804strikeouts

MoCredWettelandwastheYankees’closerin1995and1996,andhisfoursavesinthe1996WorldSeriesearnedhimtheseriesMostValuablePlayeraward.

HE1996TEAMwasaveryspecialteam.Wewerearealclose-knitgroup.We came to the park expecting to win every day, and went about ourbusiness in that fashion. I get remindedof 1996 a lot. Itwas obviously a

highlightmomentofmycareerjustbeinginvolvedwiththatclub,beingapartofthat [World Series championship]. It’s hard to think about that teamwithoutthinkingabouteverysinglepersononthatteam,andhowtheycontributed.*

Ihad twogoodset-upmengoing into thatyear in [Bob]Wickmanand JeffNelson.Mowasn’taset-upmanwhenhecameintothepen.Hewasjustalongguy,aspotstarter.Hewasakid,buthewasaspecialkid.Hegrewintotheroleofset-upman.Theotherguyshadbeendoingthejobforyears.Youknowhowitworks.Youstartpitchinggood,andyoustartgettingbetterroles.Itdidn’ttakelonguntilMowassettingup.

Usuallyacloserhasonegreatset-upman,nowIhadthree.Obviouslyhewasaluxury.Youlookatthegameforthelasttwentyyears,andtheevolutionhasbeenhowtoshorten thegamefromthebackend.Wemade thegamesix innings. IthinkitwasTonyLaRussawhosaid:“It’sasixinningballgamewhenyouplaytheYankees.”

ObviouslyMomademyjobeasier,andeverybodyelse’s,too.That’sthethingaboutabullpen,ifweunderstandwe’reaunit,andwe’rehandingtheballofftoeachother,itmakesusallbetter.NowMoimpartsthat[philosophy]tohispen.

IwaswithMarianohaslongasIneededtobewithMariano,andhe’lltellyouthe same thing. The Yankees needed Mariano then, and when I becameexpendable, itwastheperfectstorm.Itwasashrewdbusinessmove.Thatmanwasreadytostepin,Icouldgetajobsomewhereelse;everyonewon.ButIfindit

remarkablehowhesucceededinhisfirstyearclosing.Remember,you’retalkingaboutayoungkidwhowasrubbingelbowswithveteran[bullpen]guysforabouthalfayearandseeinghowit’sdone.Wewouldplaycatcheverydayandworkonthings,butit’sstilljusthalfayear[before]he’sclosingfortheYankees.*

WhenIdepartedafterbeingthe[WorldSeries]MVP,that’sgottobeareallytoughspotforthenextguy.IknowthatpositionofclosingfortheYankees,it’stough enough, and then you throw that on there, too.Once you sawMarianocomethroughthat, thoseare thekindsof things thatmarkclosers.Toseehimhandlethatkindofasituationinhiscareer,thewayhedid,youknewhegoingtobe just fine.Now, it’s twenty years later, and he’s achieved all those numbers,whocouldcall that?Butyouknewhewasgoingtobe justfine.Marianohadagreatarm.Youknewhewasgoingtobesomethingspecialatthebackendofballgames. I don’t thinkwe set out thinkinghewould save 600 games. I sawhimafterhegothis600thsave,andIhuggedhim,andItoldhim,“Nowgooutandgetanother600.”

When I first sawhimpitch, hewas a starter, andhewashittable.Hehad afastball, slider, and change-up, with good command, but there wasn’t a lot ofseparation[inthevelocitybetween]thesliderandthefastball.Thefastballhadexplosivenesstoit,buthereallylackedasecondpitchthatwasgoodenoughtooffsetthefastball.SoIsawhimgethitaroundquiteabit.Youcanhaveagoodmajorleaguecareerifyouhavecommandofthreepitches,eventwo,ifyouhavecommandof them.But you’re going to gethit a little bit.Thereneeds tobe aseparator.Andwhenthecutterarrivedonthescene,itwastheseparator.Majorleague hitters will tell you, “I swear I was on that pitch, and the next thing Iknow,I’mholdingtalcumpowder.”

If you look back, in retrospect, it becomes clear why we’re [talking aboutMariano Rivera] so many years later. I’ve never seen anybody pay so muchattention to detail when they’re young. I remember when he came into thebullpen in ’96wehadagoodcorpsof [veteran]guys there.Hewas likea littlekid,heneversaidaword,hejustsatthere,watching,andtakingineverythinghecould.Hesattherequietly,buthewaslisteningtowhatwasbeingsaidwhenwetalkedabouthitters;nothingescapedhim—nothing.

That’sabsolutelywhathewasallabout.Ithinkthatmayhavebeenthecatalystastowhyhealwaysseemstostayonestepaheadofthegameandthewayhittersapproach him.He knows there’s pitching involved, not just throwing, and heevolvedtousedifferentammunition.He’saveryintelligent,wiseman.Heknewhowtomakesomecorrectassessmentsalongtheway.Sowhenyou lookback,

fromwherehestarted,andtheprocessofhowMarianoRiverawasnotascaredkid,butawide-eyedkid,whobecomesfarandawaythegreatestcloserthateverlived,youcankindofseeit.

Thethingthatblowsmymindishowhisbodyholdsup.Wealltakecareofour body, but there are a special few that are blessed with the ability to keepgoing.That’ssomethingthat’sveryspecialthatIcan’texplain.IloveMarianotodeath. There’s a lot of history there, a lot of great moments shared. Quitehonestly,asI’mthinkingaboutit,wespenttimetalkingaboutbaseball,butalotoftimetalkingaboutlife,whereweareashumanbeings,talkingaboutthewaythings are.What I lovemost aboutMo is he’s got such a humble spirit abouthim.Thatcarriesyoualongwayasacloser.Thingscanbiteyou,soyouneedtostayonanevenkeel.

*IntwoseasonswiththeYankees,Gordonwas14-8with6savesanda2.38earnedrunaverage.*Riveradidnotpick“EnterSandman”ashis entrance song.TheYankeeStadiumscoreboardproductioncrewbeganplayingthesonginthesummerof1999,havingwitnessedinthepreviousyear’sWorldSerieshow enthusiastically San Diego fans reacted to closer Trevor Hoffman entering games accompanied byAC/DC’s“HellsBells.”Nathan’sentrancesongis“StandUpandShout”bySteelDragon,afictionalbandfromtheMarkWahlbergfilmRockStar.**NathanhasbeenselectedtotheAmericanLeagueAll-Starteamsixtimes.***Nathan’sMinnesota teams lost twice to Rivera’s Yankees in the postseason, in the American LeagueDivisionSeriesin2004and2009.*Nathannotchedhis300thcareersavebyclosingouta5-4victoryover theTampaBayRaysonApril8,2013.Thefinaloutcameonacontroversialthree-and-twocurveballthatwascalledstrikethreebyumpireMarty Foster, who later admitted the pitch was not a strike. Only five closers in baseball history haveamassed 400 saves in their career:Mariano Rivera (652), TrevorHoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), JohnFranco(424),andBillyWagner(422).*NeagleandtheYankeesdefeatedtheRoyals,7-3,atKauffmanStadium,onSeptember7,2000.Neaglehadallowedonlyfourhitsandonerunthrougheightinnings,yettrailed1-0.TheYankees’offenseexplodedforsevenruns inthetopof theninth,but theRoyalsstagedacomebackof theirown.TheYankeessurvivedpoorreliefpitchingandeventuallyneededRiveratoretireCarlosBeltranforthefinaloutwiththepotentialtyingrunondeck.ItwasRivera’s162ndcareersave.*Trailing theYankees twogames tonone in thebest-of-fivedivision series in 1995, theMariners roaredbacktowinthreestraightgamestoadvancetotheA.L.ChampionshipSeries.Inexplicably,Riverapitchedatotalofjusttwoinningsinreliefinthefinalthreegames.*Rivera’sblownsaveonMay28,2013againsttheMetsatCitiFieldwasthefirsttimein1,072careergames

thathe’dblownasavewithoutretiringabatter.Ironically,Riverahadthrownouttheceremonialfirstpitch,andthentookthelossonhisfinalpitch.*RiveramadehisfinalYankeeStadiumappearanceintheteam’shomefinale,a4-0losstoTampaBay,onSeptember26,2013.Riverarecordedtwooutsintheeighthinningandtwooutsintheninth,butwhatwillberememberedisthenormallycalmpitchercryinguncontrollablyonthemoundwhileembracingPettitteand Jeter, who had been sent out bymanagerGirardi tomake the pitching change to signal the end ofRivera’scareer.*Riverapitchedtheninth,tenth,andeleventhinningsofan11-6winatDetroit,onMay30,2006.ItwasthefirsttimeRiverawentthreeinningsinaregular-seasongamesinceSeptember6,1996—aspanofnearlytenyears.*TheYankeesdefeated theAtlantaBraves in sixgames towin the1996WorldSeries.TheYankeeswerechampionsforthefirsttimesince1978,andthetriumphstartedarunoffourYankeestitlesinfiveyears.*WettelandsavedeachoftheYankees’victoriesinthe1996WorldSeries,earningtheSeriesMostValuablePlayerhonors.Hissevenpostseasonsavesthatyeararealsoarecord.WithRiverawaitinginthewings,theYankeeschosenottoofferWettelandanewcontract,andhesignedasafreeagentwiththeTexasRangersinNovember1996.

SectionSix:Management

I

MikeBorzelloBorzellowastheNewYorkYankeesbullpencatcherfrom1996to2007.

N1996,MARIANObecametheset-upguyandJohnWetteland,ourcloser,started talking tohimeveryday.WettelandknewMarianowould takeoverfor him the following year. That’s something that got lost—how important

Wettelandwastohim.Thecloserdoesn’tusuallytakethenextcloserunderhiswing.Wettelanddid,andMarianodid[thesame]witheveryrelieverthatcamethrough.

Mariano became their mentor. He schooled the relievers one by one. HewouldsitwitheachoneseparatelyattimesanddowhatWettelanddidforhimtomakesuretheyhadabetterchanceatsuccess.Ialwaysmarveledatthatdynamic.Ifsomeonehada toughouting,Isawhimtalktothemabouthowto let toughsituationsgo. Ialways thought thatwas impressive.Wetteland triggered it,butMohadtheintelligencetoabsorbitandtakeittoanotherlevelwithalltheguysthroughtheyears.

Somanyguysgetdistractedaboutotherthings,especiallyoffthefield:money,theirownpersonalachievements.IneversawthatinMo.Hewasalwaysfocusedonthe team,onwhatdoyouneedmetodo?In twelveyearswithhimIneverheardhimmentionanythingabouthiscontract,hisnumberofsaves,hisearnedrunaverage,oranypersonalachievement.

I’dsay:“We’vegottogetto40saves.”He’dsay:“HowmanydoIhavenow?”Hereallydidn’tknow.Idon’tthinkheeverthrewaballthatbouncedinmytwelveyearsofcatching

himinthebullpen.Hewouldpitchupanddownandinandout,butneverintheground.It’sthemostamazingthing.Hewasn’ttryingtostrikeyouout.Hewaslookingtogetyououtinoneortwopitchesbyshatteringyourbat.

MoRespect

BruceBochyBochy,manageroftheNationalLeagueAll-Starteamatthe2013MajorLeagueBaseballAll-StarGameatCitiField,onJuly16,2013,onthetributetoRivera:

Forhim to gethonored like thatwasavery specialmoment,whichhe richlydeserves. Itwasmoving. Ican’tsayIknowhim,butI’veheardenoughabouthimtoknowthathe’ssuchaclasspersonandagreatambassadortothegame.Ourplayersshowedtheirrespectandappreciationforallhe’saccomplishedinhiscareerandthepersonthatheis,soitwasareallyneatdeal,aneatmoment.

BrianButterfield

I

Coach

Butterfieldhas beenamajor league coachwith theNewYorkYankees,ArizonaDiamondbacks,TorontoBlueJays,andBostonRedSoxsince1994.

MoCredButterfieldwasRivera’smanagerwiththeFortLauderdaleYankeesoftheHighAFloridaStateLeaguein1992.

KNOW I GRADED him favorably—I think all of us did—because of theathleticism, the willingness to work, the type of individual [he is]. I’ve notseenanybody like this[in threedecades]aroundthegame.I thinkanybody

wouldhaveahardtimeprojectingwhathe’sbecome.He’sthegreatestofalltime—anditisn’tevenclose.

Hewas a very athletic guy.He had a fastball right around 91, 92. Then hestarted getting stronger. He was a tremendous kid, very respectful, a hardworker, and one of the fastest kids in the organization.Always looking to getbetter.Hewasawonderfulkidtobearound—soft-spoken,funny.*

He’s alwayshada verygooddelivery.Youhada feelinghe could repeathispitches because good athlete and good delivery usually equals a guy who canrepeathispitches.Hedidnot [have abreakingball].Andhedidnothave thecutter.Hemighthavehadalittletinyone—justwithalittlecutoffofhisnaturalfastball—butIdon’tknowwhenhestarteddevelopingTheCutter.

I was the first base coach for the Yankees [in 1995] when [Rivera waspromoted]tothemajorleagues.Asacoach,thatwasthefirsttimeI’dseenhim[pitch]inalongtime.Thejumpinvelocitystoodout—hewasabigger,strongerathlete.Whenwehadhim,hewasjustayoungkid.

He’s a great rolemodel for any of those young pitcherswho come up: Justkeepyoureyesopenandwatchthatguy.

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BillEversEverswastheminorleaguemanageroftheYankees’Triple-AColumbusClippers.

MoCredEvers,whohasover1,200careervictoriesasaminorleaguemanager,wasRivera’smanagerwiththeColumbusClippersin1995.

ITHOUTADOUBTMariano is one of the greatest players I’ve evermanaged.IhadtheopportunitytomanageMariano,[Derek]Jeter,and[Jorge]PosadaatColumbusin1995,soI’maveryfortunateindividual.*

At that time in his careerMarianowas a starting pitcher andwas trying tolearnabreakingballaswellasachange-up.Itwascomingalongso-so,andthelastgamehepitchedbeforehewenttothebigleagues,hethrewano-hitter,andafter thatgame, thenextday, Igot to tellhimhewasgoing to thebig leagues.Thatwas exciting.Naturally, hewas elated to be going to the big leagues.Hecouldn’tsayenoughgoodthingsabouthowhappyhewas,howallhishardworkwaspayingoff,andhewaslookingforwardtothechallenge.

Ineverthoughthe’dbecomeareliever.Ithoughthewouldbeagoodstartingpitcher because his ability to locate the fastball was getting better and betterthroughout the course of his starts, and his secondary pitches were makingprogress.Hisfastballwasveryexplosivetobothsidesoftheplate.Atthattime,hedidn’thavetheprecisecommandthathehasnow,buthewasableto locatehisfastballwelltobothsidesoftheplate.

Thebiggestreasonwhyhehadn’tbeentothebigleaguessoonerwashis[lackof]velocity.Whenhewaspitchingformehisvelocityhaddecreased.Insteadofthrowing95he’sthrowinginthehigh80s.Itturnsoutthathewasn’tthrowingthefastballashardaswethoughtbecausethe[radar]gunreadingswerewrong.Then[Yankeesexecutive]GeneMichaelcametotown[withhisownradargun]andsawMarianopitchtheno-hitter.Michaelsawwhatthegunreadingswere,andthatconvincedhim[ofRivera’svelocity].ThenextdayMarianowascalledtothebigleagues.HistorymayhavebeendifferenthadMichaelnotbeentherethatday.Thankgoodness forallconcerned thathewas thereandMarianogotthatopportunitybecauseheisgoingtobeaHallofFamer.*

Mybestmemorywasbeingabletogivehimtheballeveryfifthdayandwatchhimperformhis craft and observe aman thatwent about his job in the right

manner.Marianowasthekindofguythatgoesoutanddoeshiswork.Hewasaquietrolemodel.Hedidn’tsayawholelot,andhewasveryunassuming.Hedidmostofhisleadingbyexample.YouneverhadtoworryaboutMarianocomingto the fieldandnotdoinghiswork,ornotgivinghismaximumeffort for thatday.Heiswhatanymanagerwantsonhisclub;ifyouhadtwenty-fiveMarianoRiveraslifewouldbeveryeasyforthemanager.

Hewentoutandperformedasbesthecoulddayinanddayout,andbestofall,hewasagreatcompetitor,whetherhehadhisbeststufforhedidn’t.Oneofhisbestattributesishismentaltoughnessandhisinnerdrive.Mostguys,whenthings don’t go their way, you would see them throwing gloves or you couldactually see the frustration on their face. But Mariano has great inner self-disciplineandtheabilityandmentaltoughnesstonotletanybodyknowthingsaregettingunderhisskin,andthatisaqualitythathasmadehimwhoheis.

Iwas thebenchcoach for theTampaBayRays in2006and2007.He’sveryspecial for the simple fact that he has not forgotten; he’s a very gratefulindividual.AnytimeIwouldseehimhewouldmakeitapointtoalwayscomeby,shakemyhand,givemeahug,askhowmyfamilywasdoing,andwewouldtalkforfiveortenminutes,orforhoweverlonghehadbeforehehadtogodowhathehadtodo.Heisagenuineindividualwhoreallycaresandheshowedhisgratitudebyalwaysmakingitapointtocomebyandsayhello.

TerryFrancona

ManagerandFirstbase

PlayingCareerMontreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, andCincinnatiRedsfrom1981to1990

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ManagingCareerPhiladelphiaPhillies (1997–2000),BostonRedSox(2004–2011),andClevelandIndians(since2013)

MoCredFranconawonWorldSeriestitleswiththeRedSoxin2004and’07.

EHADA few guyswho had a little bit of success againstMo. Thereweren’t toomany,butcertainguys.Weprobablyhadasmuchsuccessagainst him as anybody—now we probably faced him more than

anybody,too,butit’snodayatthebeach.Ididn’tlikewhenweheardthatsong,“EnterSandman.”Thatwasnotagoodfeeling.

There’sareasonhe’sdonewhathe’sdoneforsolong.Youknowthatcutteriscomingandyoustillcan’thitit—oryouhititanditdoesn’tgoveryfar.Itboresinonleftiesandcutsawayfromrighties.There’snorotationandhethrowshard.And he’s been so unbelievably durable. That’s what’s almost as amazing asanything.Relievers have a couple of good years and then there’s a down year.He’sdoneitforeverandcontinuestogetbetter.

It’shardtocompareclosersoverthegenerationsbecauseguysbacksomanyyearsagowouldpitchthreeinningstogetasave.Butinthemodernera,Idon’tknowifthere’sanybodythatcantouchhim.He’sjustquietclass.

JoeGirardi

I

ManagerandCatcher

MoCredGirardiwasamemberoffourWorldSerieschampionshipteamsasaYankeesplayerandmanager(1996,’98,’99,2009).

’VEHADTHE good fortune of catching and coaching andmanaging himandit’satreat.I’velovedbeingapartofit.

Iwastradedhere[totheYankees]in’96,andIsawhimforthefirsttimeinspringtraining.Irememberaskingmyself,“Whoisthisguywithgreatstuff?”

LittledidIknowwhatan impacthe’dhaveonthe ’96seasonand,really,onthenextseventeenseasons.

Asacatcher,whenheburstonthescenein’96,itwasfunbeingbacktheretowatchhimdominatehitters.His locationwassogoodthatyoucouldask forapitchontheinside,outside,up,downandhecouldthrowitthere.He’sbeenasdominantasanyoneI’veevercaught.Seeinghimdoitsomanyyearslaterishardtofathom.*

WhenIcaughthim,hedidn’tthrowasinker.Itwasmorejustthecutterandhis control was so great. Hitters really couldn’t pick it up. They knew it wascoming,butthemovementwassolateandsosharpthattheycouldn’tadjusttoit.

I remember left-handed hitters saying that because of the late, sharpmovement theonlyplace theycouldhit ithardwasover the firstbasedugout.Youcouldn’tkeepitfair.

Iloveitwhenhecomesintothegame.Youjustfeellikeit’sover.ThisistheguywhoIbelieve is thebestcloser that’severbeen in thegame.He’scertainlymademyjobaloteasier.

Hisaccomplishmentgettingthemostsavesisincredible.Idon’tknowifwe’lleverseeanyonelikehimagain—that’showremarkablethisaccomplishmentis.Idon’tknowifwe’lleverseeanotherMarianoRivera.Ireallydon’tbelievewewill.

All-StarGameMomentIthoughtitwasagreatAll-StarGametributetoMo,andthewaytheplayershandleditwasextremelyspecial.Youcouldseehewaschokedupbyit.Sometimes,it’shardtocontrolyouremotions,butIthinkitmeantatontoMo.

—JoeGirardi

MoRespect

MikeHarkeyHarkeyhasbeentheYankees’bullpencoachsince2008.

ThebestmomentwaswhenhegotthelastoutoftheWorldSeriesin2009.Hereallynevergetstoohighand never gets too low. So, that being said, the World Series games are always going to be the mostmemorablebecausethat’swhereyou’regoingtoseehimthemostjubilant.Andthat’sbecauseit’salloverandhehastimetocelebrateandtakeitallin.Anyothertimehasjustbeenanotherdayatwork,whichsetshimapart froma lotof theclosersout there.There’snotmuchemotionout there, there’snotmuchfanfare;it’sjusthimdoinghisjob.

JimLeyland

Manager

LeylandmanagedtheAmericanLeagueteaminthe2013MajorLeagueBaseballAll-StarGameatCitiField,onJuly16,2013.

HowdidyoupreparetheplayersforthattributetoRivera?

Isaidtotheplayersbeforethegame,“I’mnotamotivationalspeakerbutmymotivationfortonightistoworkourfanniesoffandbringinthegreatestcloserofalltime.”

WhydidyoudecidetobringRiveraintothegameintheeighthinning,andnotwaitfortheninth?

Ididlie—foroneinning—forobviousreasons.Ithinkyouallunderstandthatif something freakywouldhavehappened to the lead, if [theNationalLeague]scoressomerunsandtakesthelead,therepossiblywouldn’thavebeentheninth,sothat’swhyIdidit.

Whatdoyouremembermostaboutthegame?The night was full of emotion. To be honest with you, that was one of the

toughest games I ever had to manage because you have all these differentscenarios thatmighthappen.Eventhoughwewonthegame,anda lotofguysdid a very, very good job, not to slight anybody else, but really, the showwasreallyabout trying tomanipulate sowegotMariano[in thegame]at therighttime.

WasMarianoappreciativeofyourplan?MarianoandIhaveagreatrelationship.We’re friends,believe itornot.We

don’thangouttogether,butwe’refriends.Anyspecialmomentyou’dcaretoshareaboutyourrelationship?Earlierthisyear,whenhewasinDetroitforthelasttime,Ipresentedhimwith

apictureofhimthrowingapitchatTigerStadiumandComericaPark.Hesaidsomething then thatwill stickwithme forever, but Iwon’t tell youwhat thatwas.*

I

BillLiveseyLiveseywastheNewYorkYankees’ScoutingDirectorandVicePresidentofPlayerDevelopmentfrom1991to1996.

NOURMINOR league systemwe tried tobuild inhigh standards andwewatchedthekidslikeahawk,toseewhocanliveuptothosehighstandards.Wealsoliketowinsowecanseewhostepsuptheirgame,toseewhohasa

history of answering the bell. Every test we could giveMariano at the minorleaguelevelhepassedwithflyingcolors.Idon’tknowifanybodyprojectedhimtobeintheHallofFame,butweknewhewasaspecialkid,somebodywhowaspartofourcoregroup.Wehadspentalotoftimetryingtodeterminewhowaspartofourcoregroup.

Scouts joke that if we could take kids and open them up, we would knowwhat’sgoingon insideandwewouldmakefewermistakes!That’swhywehadhigh standards for our minor leaguers, so kids could separate themselves asmuchaspossible.Themoredemandsyouputonthem,thefewersurprisesyouhavelateron.TheYankeeshadahistoryoftradingyoungtalent,butduringthistime,wedecidedasanorganizationthatweweregoingtokeepthecoregrouptogetheratall costs, and tradeawayotherguys. ItwasveryclearveryearlyonthatMarianowasabigpartof thatcoregroup.Wewerefortunate tohaveourpeople identify Rivera, BernieWilliams, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and AndyPettitte.Thoseguyswereabigpartofafewchampionshipteams.*

The first time I sawMarianowas during pitchers’ fielding practice his firstsummer in the Gulf Coast League [in 1990]. His athleticism stood outimmediately. That really caught my eye, because sometimes, young kids aregangly and on the way to becoming good, but Mariano was a real athleticspecimenfromtheget-go.Hecouldmovehisfeeteasilyandherepeatedathleticskillstimeandtimeagain.Hewasarecentconverttopitchingwhenwegotourhandsonhim.InhisamateurdaysIthinkhewasashortstop,andtothisday,hecangooutandplaycenterfieldandchasetheballdownwithanybody.

Hehadasetback,anarminjury,butputtingthataside,hedevelopedquickly[as apitcherdue to]his athleticismandoutstandingarm.Hehad tremendousarmspeed.Hethrew95to96[milesperhour],butmostofall,hethrewstrikes;hewasalwaysundercontrol.Hecouldrepeatpitchesandhehadtheability toconsistentlythrowstrikesfromtheveryfirstday.Onceakidestablishesthathecan throwstrikesanddowhat is requiredofhim in the lower levels,hegetsa

chancetomoveup,andMarianocertainlydid.Hisminorleaguerecordasastartingpitcherisprettydarngood.Heprojected

assomeonespecial,assomeonewellaboveaverage.Hehadagoodrepertoireofpitches:aplus-plusfastball,asolidchange-up,aslider,andacurveball.Hewasthefullpackage.WithMariano,whateveryousawfromhimasapitcher,hehadevenbetterinnerqualitiesasaperson.Hehadagreatworkethic,andhe’sverylowtonomaintenance.Hehadaninnerconfidencethatdrovehim,andhehadhumility.Hewasanoutstandingkidtobearound.

Weallknewhewasatopprospect,andIwasexcitedwhenhegotthecalluptothebigleagues.Ihadasatellitedishandwaswatchinghisfirst[majorleague]start.Forwhateverreason,hedidn’thaveanimpressiveperformance,butIknewwe weren’t seeing the real Mariano. People didn’t get a true picture of whoMarianowaswhenhegotcalledupthatfirsttime.Afterthegame,Itookpartinaconferencecalltodiscusswhat[otherscouts]hadseenfromMariano,andhowthiscomparedtowhatwe’veseenfromhiminthepast.Itriedtomakethepointthatwhatwesawthatnightwasn’tclassicMariano.*

He was sent back to the minor leagues, and he pitched like a guy withsomething to prove.Hemade very sure [the decisionmakers] knew that firstgame wasn’t the real him. Most top prospects only experience successes, butsometimes youneed to see how somebody reacts to a little bit of adversity, asthat shows another side of you. Mariano knew that some people werequestioninghima littlebitnow,andhewentbacktotheminor leagueswithavengeance.Heprovedthatfirstbigleagueoutingwasjustablipontheroad,andhewasnotgoingtobedenied.Thatwasadefiningmomentforhim.LaterthatyeartheYankeesbroughthimbackandBuck[managerBuckShowalter]puthiminthebullpen.NobodyeverquestionedMarianoagain.

Thebullpenturnedouttobeanidealroleforhim,becausehedoesn’thaveanounce of panic. Part of his success is that he’s extremely bright and canmakeadjustments.Theabilitytomakeadjustmentsisoneofthethingswewatchintheminor leagues, because when you get to the big leagues, your career will bedeterminedbytheadjustmentsyou’reabletomake.Marianomadeadjustments;whetherthey[were]social,cultural,orbaseballrelated.Hehadtogetacclimatedtoanewcountry,anewlanguage,andthenheshiftedhisroletothebullpen,headdedthecutter,andtherestishistory.

It’s hard to describe his accomplishments, because he doesn’t have averageexpectations forhimself.People thatknowMarianoknowhowmuchhecares.Hehasn’tchangedabitafteralltheseyears.He’sthesameperson,onlynowwith

a lotmoremedals. He always had that confidence, but with an equal dose ofhumility.

I

MitchLukevicsLukevicswas theNewYorkYankees’DirectorofMinorLeagueOperations from1989to1995.

FIRSTSAWHIMwhenhewas this skinny right-hander in theGulfCoastLeague.Hewaslongandlanky,withalightning-quickarm.Fromdayone,hehadtheabilitytothrowabaseballinathimble.Itwasmostremarkablefora

youngkid tohavesuchuncannyability, that’swhat stoodoutabouthim.ThisyoungguycametotheYankeeswithrealgoodnowstuff,asyoucanseebyhisGulfCoastLeaguestatistics.Youlookathishits-to-inningsratio,thewalks-to-strikeouts— it’s phenomenal. Our Panama scout Carl “Chico” Heron, whopassedaway,didagreatjobsigningthisbrightrawresource.*

YouhavetogiveMarianocredit.HerewasayoungmancomingtotheUnitedStates from Panama who learned our language and learned our culture whiletryingtomakehiswayinprofessionalbaseball.It’snoteasytodo.Inthosedaysorganizations didn’t do asmuch as they do today. They had players come onover,andhopedthey’dfitin;theymightgivesomeEnglishlessons.Nowadaysallteamshave some sort of culture assimilationprogram,with language training,muchmorethanwhatMarianohad.Buthewasaroundalotofgoodcharacterplayers—DerekJeter,JorgePosada,AndyPettitte,andBernieWilliamswerethehead of the class without question—and I think being around those goodcharacterplayershelpedhimgetacclimatedtotheUnitedStatesatsuchayoungage.

Hehadelbowsurgeryandhecamethroughitwithflyingcolors.Irememberhewasreluctanttogoonarehabassignmentbecausehewasyoungandmarried,andhedidn’twanttoleavehiswife.

Wesaid,“Mariano,yourcareerwillbenefitdowntheroadbydoingthis;itcanonlyhelpyourjourneyofgettingtothebigleagues,andcatapultyourcareer.”

Hedidn’twanttogo.Onlywhenweconvincedhimtherehabwouldbenefithisfamilydidheagreetogo.Weneededhimtostayoncourse.I’mgladhedid.*

MoRespect

JoeMaddonMaddonhasbeenmanagerofthedivisionrivalTampaBayRayssince2006.

He’sthebesteveratwhathedoes.Itwillbealongtimebeforeyougetsomebodybetterthanthat,Ithink.Thewayhewasabletobesoconsistent,unbelievablyconsistent,andthehotterthegame,thebetterhe

was. It’s just incredible what he’s done, and in such a simple manner. That’s the part that’s really soimpressive.Theguyswouldalwaysyellfromthebench,inajokingway,“He’stippinghispitches!”

So here’s a guy that everybody knew what pitch was coming all the time and you still couldn’t doanythingwithit.It’sunbelievablehowhewasnails.Henailedit.

BobMelvin

ManagerandCatcher

PlayingCareerDetroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals,BostonRedSox,NewYorkYankees,andChicagoWhiteSoxfrom1985to1994

I

ManagingCareerSeattleMariners(2003–2004),ArizonaDiamondbacks(2005–2009)andOaklandAthletics(since2011);two-timeManageroftheYear(2007,2012)

MoCredMelvincaughtRiverain1994and1995asamemberofNewYork’sTriple-AColumbusClippersaffiliate.

CAUGHTHIM LATE in my career—and early in his—in Columbus. Hedidn’thaveacutterthen.WhenIcaughthiminColumbus,hewasthrowingafour-seamfastball.Hehadgreatlatelifeonhisfastball,andhelikedtopitch

upinthezone.Itwastoughtostayontopofit.Lateron,itturnedintoalittlebitofacutter.Thedecisiontogowiththecutterwasagoodmoveforhim.

I’ve seen [him progress] from day one until now.He’s had an unbelievablecareer.Andnotonlythat,he’sasgoodapersonasheisaplayer.He’smeantsomuchtothegame,andtothatorganization.We’reseeinghimatthetop[ofhisgame].It’srarethataguygoesoutontoplikethis,andthatisthecasewithhim.

Iwishhimthebestinhiscareerafterward.I’dlovetobeabletosayweseehimagainatsomepointintime.

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MarkNewmanNewman has served the New York Yankees as Coordinator of Minor LeagueInstructionfrom1989to1996;VicePresident,PlayerDevelopmentandScoutingfrom1996to2000;VicePresident,BaseballOperationssince2000.

AreyousatisfiedbyhowRivera’scareerturnedout?

HENWESIGNEDMarianoin1990,Idon’trememberanyonesaying:“Thisguyisgoingtobeamajorleaguer.”

Hewasaverygoodathleteandhecouldthrowitovertheplate,butnobodywrote out theMarianodevelopmentplan that saidhewould somedaythrow98milesperhour,havethefinestcontrolonthefaceoftheplanet,wouldlearnacutterand,ohbytheway,that’sallhe’sgoingtothrow.

DidRiverahavethatlaser-likefocusasayoungplayer?PeteRoseandJackNicklausarethegreatestconcentratorsI’veeverseen,and

I’d put Mo right in that group. I bet no pitcher in history has thrown morepitchesfromthesamearmslotwithoutdeviationthanMarianoRivera.

WhatwasitaboutRiverathatmadescoutsbelievehe’dbeagoodreliefpitcher?Backthen[gettingrelegatedtothebullpen]meantwedidn’tthinkyouwerea

prospect. Butwhat you saw from the beginningwas the same composure, thesamemound demeanor.Nothing gets to him. I don’t know ifMo felt greaterpressureintheninthinningofaWorldSeriesgame,orwhenhewasayoungguyrehabbing his elbow after surgery [in 1992] so he didn’t have to go back toPanamaandbeafisherman.

Was surgery the reason the Yankees left Rivera unprotected in the 1992expansiondraft?

A great moment in Yankees history! But Mariano wasn’t even in thediscussion then.Hewasn’t a consideration.Wewere justworriedabout losingthreebigleaguersinBradAusmus,CarlEverett,andCharlieHayesinthatdraft.

JuanNieves

PitchingCoach

I

PlayingCareerMilwaukeeBrewersfrom1986to1988

MoCredNieves,thecurrentBostonRedSoxpitchingcoach,wasaminorleaguepitchinginstructorfortheYankeesfrom1992to1996.

SAWMARIANOFORthefirsttimeinminorleaguespringtrainingin1992.Youknewhehadapresenceabouthimrightaway.Hehadtheserenityofapitcher.Hisdedicationandroutine—hewasverycalm,yetagladiatoronthe

mound.Therecordsspeakforeverything.Butyoucouldtell—thepresence,thedemeanor—itwascoming.Itwasamatteroftime.

He was mostly a straight fastball guy, threw some change ups, really soliddelivery,wasabletothrowstrikesallthetime.Justagreatdelivery,[butbecauseofthelackofsecondarypitches]heprojectedmoreasareliever.

Ihopepeoplewatchedhimalot,becausethere’sonlyoneofthoseguys.He’sinaleagueofhisown.We’respeakingaboutthebestofthebest.

H

HerbRaybournRaybourn is a formerNewYorkYankees scout andDirector of LatinAmericanOperationswhosignedRiveratoanamateurfreeagentcontract,whichincludedasigningbonusof$3,500,onFebruary17,1990.

EWASAgreatfind.Iwasfortunate.ThegoodLordwaswithme.Iwasthere [in Panama] the year before and I passed on him. He was ashortstop then.He showedgoodrange, and I saw thathecould run,he

hadagoodarm,andhehadgoodhands.But Ididn’t thinkhe’dbeable tohitthatwellinthebigleagues,asfarasthelongball.

Asa scout,you’re signingplayers toget to thebig leagues,notDoubleAorTripleA.Thefieldingwasverygood.Igavehimgoodmarksinhisfieldingandthrowing.Buthishittingwasquestionable.Icouldn’tprojecthimplayinginthebigleaguesasashortstop,soIjustgaveuponhim.

Iwentback[toPanama]ayearlaterandwegothim.IgotacallfromayoungplayerwhowastheregularcatcherforRivera.Hesaid,“Mr.Raybourn,Ihaveaplayerforyou.HisnameisMarianoRivera.”

Isaid:“TheMarianoRiveraIknewwasashortstop.”He toldme that he was a pitcher now.Wewent for a workout behind his

house[inPuertoCaimito].Itdidn’tevenhaveamound.Itwasjustaslope.I tooka scoutwithmewhohadn’t seenMariano.Hebrought alonga radar

gun. The radar gun wasn’t really being lit up. Mariano was throwing 84, 86[milesperhour].Hewouldn’thavebeensignedintheStates.IntheStates,ifyouseeaboythrowlikehim,youskippast.Hethrewninepitches.Isawenoughatninepitches.

WhatIlikedaboutMarianowasthefluidnessofhisarm.Hehadoneofthosenice loose arms. Plus, his ball had a lot ofmovement. You could picture himpitchinginthemajors,beingastarterorareliever.

Why didn’t any of the other scouts sign him before I got back to Panama?Therewasnocompetition.TherewasnobodyelsewhenIcamealong.Icouldn’toffer$50,000toaguywhohasn’tgottenoneoffer.Nobodyhadgivenhimevenahintofanoffer.Youhadtogowithwhatthemarketcallsfor.Nobodyelselikedhim.

Hisfather[alsonamedMariano]isawonderfulperson.He’saveryreservedman.He worked hard [tomake a living as a fisherman in Panama]. And themother[Delia],wheneverIwouldstopbyandseethem,shefixesafishsoupfor

me.TheonlyreallyphysicalworkMarianowasdoingwasthefishing.Butallthatfishing,andpullingonlines—eventhoughhewasweighingabout160pounds,his arms had a little bit of definition. I could picture him pitching in the bigleagueswiththatarm.Theloosenesswasthethingthatreallyimpressedme.

HoytWilhelm[thelateHallofFamepitcherwhowasaYankeesminorleaguepitching coach in 1990] would use Rivera whenever he could. Hoyt loved hisarm.Threedaysbeforetheendoftheseason,Hoytsays:“Herb,doyouthinkwecoulduseMarianotostartagame?”

IaskedHoytwhenhelastpitched.Hesaid:“Yesterday.”“He’sonlygoingtohavetwodaysofrest,”Isaid.

Scout’sHonorFormer Yankees scout Herb Raybourn filed this report assessing Mariano Rivera shortly before hesignedthepitcherwhowouldbecomethegreatestcloserthegameaseverknown.

Physical Description: Tall. Lean. Broad shoulders. Long arms. Big hands. Long, strong legs. Goodpitchingbody.Noglasses.Noinjuries.

Abilities:Loose,livearm.Fastballhassinkingaction.Fastballrangesbetween84and87.Goodathlete.Canalsoplaytheinfieldandoutfield.Canalsohit.

Weaknesses:Needsworkwithmechanics.Lacksstrength.Summary:Haspotentialtobecomeanabove-averagepitcher.

Hoytsaid:“Let’s throwhiminthere!Hisarmbouncesback.He’llbeabletopitch.He’sgoinghomeassoonashefinishesthegame—andhe’sgotallwintertorestup.”

Wellyouknowwhat?Hepitchedaseven-inning,no-hit,no-rungame.Ireallycouldn’tprojecthimtoofarout,butIknewhewasgoingtodowell.I

thoughthecouldgoprettyfar,putitthatway.

MoRespect

LarryRothschildRothschildwasRivera’spitchingcoachfrom2011through2013.

It’sanhonor[tocoachhim].Anytimeyou’rearoundtheguythatisprobablythebestinthegame—andmaybethebestever—atwhathe’sdoing,nomatterhowmuchyou’veseenandwhatyou’vedone,it’sanhonortobearound,especiallywhenyouseethewayhe’scarriedhimself.

GlennSherlock

H

ManagerandCoach

NewYorkYankeesandArizonaDiamondbacksSherlockmanagedandcoached in theYankees’organization from1989 to1995.HeiscurrentlybullpencoachfortheDiamondbacks.

MoCredSherlockwasRivera’smanagerfortheYankees’rookieleagueteaminTampaintheGulfCoastLeaguein1990.

EWASVERYquiet.Hedidn’tspeakalotofEnglish.Hewasaverynicekid thatwent abouthis business in aprofessionalmanner.Hewas veryintelligent,veryclassy,veryrespectful,andverydetermined.Hehadgreat

aptitude.Obviously we didn’t know at that time that he was going to bemaybe the

greatestreliefpitcherofalltime.Idon’tknowifanybodyisthatsmart.Whatwedidseewasthathehadaverygoodworkethicandhedidalotofthelittlethingsverywell,likethebuntdefensesandthepitchersfieldingpractice.Heputalotofeffortinto[hiswork].Hewasanextremelygoodathlete.

HoytWilhelm[theHallofFamepitcher]wasourpitchingcoachandheusedtoplayagamewiththepitcherssotheycouldhavesomefun.He’dletthembatand shag [fly balls] andMariano could really hit and he could really play theoutfield.Hewasclearlyoneofthebestathleteswehadontheteam.Hewasjustagreatathlete.

HewasclosetoqualifyingfortheERA[earnedrunaverage]titlethatyear,butheneeded[five]moreinningsbecausehehadmostlybeenpitchingasareliever.We had a doubleheader on the last day of the season, so we talked toMitchLukevics, the farm director at the time, about startingMariano in one of thegames.WegotanokayandMarianopitchedaseven-inningno-hitter,whichwasprettyamazing.

MoRespect

MikeSciosciaSciosciahasmanagedtheLosAngelesAngelsofAnaheimsince2000.

Imeanthisinagoodway,buthe’safreak.Youdon’tseepeopledominatethewayhehasforsolong.Ofanyreliefpitcherinmodern-daybaseball,noonehashadmoreofanimpactontheirclubthanMarianohaswiththeYankees.

JoeTorre

I

Manager

Torre was the Yankees’ manager for twelve seasons from 1996 to 2007. TheYankees made the postseason each year of his tenure, and won ten AmericanLeague East division titles, six A.L. pennants, and four World Serieschampionships.

WOULDN’T BE WEARING World Series rings without him. What he’sdone in a high-pressurized role for a high-pressurized organization in theCityofNewYork,it’snoteasytodo.Trustme.I feltprivileged tomanagehim.He certainlykeptme there as a set-upman

thatfirstyear.He’sthebestI’veeverbeenaround.Notonlytheabilitytopitchandperformunderpressure,but thecalmheputsover theclubhouse.Hewasveryimportantforus.

Wefoundgoingintothe1996seasonthathewasalwaysveryquiet.Wedidn’tknowwherehefit[inourbullpenrotation],andallofasudden,hebecametheseventhandeighthinningguy.He’sanintimidatingguyeventhoughhedoesn’thuff andpuffout thereon themound.Hehas thatvelvethammer,wherehe’sjustverysmooth,veryeasy,andthenallofasudden,thingsexplode.

Weturnedhimintoacloser in1997.Oaklandcame intoNewYorkearly intheyear,andbeatMointheninth.It’sneveragoodsignwhenyournewcloserisreally down in the dumps. I remember saying: “Thismay happen a fewmoretimes,Mo,butyou’reourcloserandyou’regoingtohavetolivewithit.”*

Ittookhimalittletime,buthegotthatswagger.Heneverblamesanybody.Wesawthatearlyon,whichalwaysbodeswellfor

teammates.He’s such a responsible person, and he’s got such elegance, and agreat deal of class. I signed a picture of his the other day of him and formerteammates,andunderneathmyautographIwrote:“Nobodydiditbetter.”

Andthat’snotonlyonthefield,that’soffthefield.Whathedidasacloseronthe field is just a fraction of what he does off the field.He’s a special humanbeing.Iknowlastyear[2012]hewastorn[overwhetherornottoretireaftertheseason],butoncehegothurt,therewasnowayhewasgoingtogooutlikethat.I’mveryhappyforhim.

MoandJoeJoeTorre,speakingataceremonytohonorMarianoRiveraatHouston’sMinuteMaidParkonthefinaldayofthe2013season:

IstartedmanagingtheYankeesin1996andIwastherefortwelveyears.Trustme,youdon’tgetachancetomanageforGeorgeSteinbrennerfortwelveyearsunlessyouhavesomebodylikeMocomingoutofthebullpen.

In addition to all ofMariano’s accomplishments, the thing that Imost appreciatedwas the fact thatwhensomebodycameintoourclubhouse,aplayer[tradedover]fromanotherballclubor[calledup]fromtheminorleagues,andlookedlikehewasoutofplacesomewhat,Marianowouldbethatguythatwouldgooverandputhisarmaroundhim.

Whathedoesthatdoesn’thappenonthefieldwassoimportanttooursuccessbecauseIthinkwetendtoforgetthatthisgameofbaseballisplayedbypeopleandtheseplayerscertainlyweremadetofeelwelcomebyMo.

*Rivera had a 5-3 record for the Yankees at Fort Lauderdale in 1992.He allowed 15 earned runs in 59inningspitched—fora2.28earnedrunaverage—andonly45runnersreachedbaseagainsthim.Heallowed40hitsand5walkswhilestrikingout42batters.*Riverahad a 2-2 record for theYankees atColumbus in 1995.He allowed7 earned runs in 30 inningspitched—fora2.10earnedrunaverage—andonly28runnersreachedbaseagainsthim.Heallowed25hitsand3walkswhilestrikingout30batters.*Riverawascreditedwithanofficialno-hitteragainsttheRochesterRedWings,eventhoughthegamewasshortenedtofiveinningsbyrain,onJune26,1995.Riverastruckoutsixandwalkedone.HehadbeenupwiththeYankeesearlierthatseason,butwas1-2witha10.20earnedrunaverageandwassentbackdowntoColumbusformoreinstruction.HereturnedtotheYankeesandfinishedhisfirstmajorleagueseasonwitha5-3recordanda5.51earnedrunaverage.*Girardi caught Rivera’s first career save, an 8-5 victory over theAngels inAnaheim, onMay 17, 1996.Girardiwas2-for-4inthegame,includingafifth-inningsingletodrivehomeDerekJeterwiththego-aheadrunandgivetheYankeesaleadtheywouldnotrelinquish.*TheTigerswerethefirstteamintheregularseasontopaytributetoRiveraonhisfarewelltour,beforetheseriesfinaleonSunday,April7,2013.LeylandpresentedRiverawithframedphotographsofhimpitchingatTigerStadiumandComericaPark,withdirtfromthemoundsatbothparks.Riverathenjokedtothecrowdthatheisoldenoughtohavepitchedinbothplaces.*The Yankees appeared in the World Series seven times between 1996 and 2009, and won fivechampionships,in1996,1998,1999,2000,and2009.

*Riveramadehis firstmajor league appearance against theAngels inAnaheim,onMay23, 1995, and itdidn’tgowell.Riverastartedthegamebutlastedjustthreeinningsashewasknockedaroundforfiverunsandeighthitsina10-0loss.*Riverahada5-1recordfortheYankeesintheGulfCoastLeaguein1990.Heallowedoneearnedrunin52inningspitched—fora0.17earnedrunaverage—andonly24runnersreachedbaseagainsthim.Heallowed17hitsand7walkswhilestrikingout58batters.*Riveraunderwent surgery inAugust1992 to repair ligamentdamage tohis right elbow.He successfullyrehabilitatedhiselbowinearly1993andresumedpitchingthatseason.*In theninthgameof the1997season,his firstas thecloser,Riverawascalled into thegameagainst theAthleticsinthetopoftheninthinningtoprotecta1-0leadatYankeeStadium,onApril11,1997.Riverahadallofsevencareersavesatthispoint.OaklandsluggerMarkMcGwirepromptlyhitRivera’sfirstpitchoverthefenceforagame-tyinghomerun.Riverasurrenderedtwomorehitsbeforesecuringthethirdoutoftheninth,andtheYankeeswentontolose,3-1,intwelveinnings.

Mariano Rivera Career Stats Regular Season

Postseason

SavesbyOpponent vs.BaltimoreOrioles 79vs.TampaBayRays 64vs.BostonRedSox 58vs.TorontoBlueJays 54vs.ChicagoWhiteSox 43vs.TexasRangers 40vs.KansasCityRoyals 37vs.SeattleMariners 37vs.MinnesotaTwins 36vs.OaklandAthletics 35vs.ClevelandIndians 31vs.DetroitTigers 30vs.LosAngelesAngelsofAnaheim 28vs.NewYorkMets 20vs.AtlantaBraves 8vs.FloridaMarlins 6vs.ColoradoRockies 5

vs.HoustonAstros 5vs.PhiladelphiaPhillies 5vs.ArizonaDiamondbacks 4vs.ChicagoCubs 4vs.MilwaukeeBrewers 4vs.SanDiegoPadres 4vs.WashingtonNationals 4vs.CincinnatiReds 3vs.LosAngelesDodgers 3vs.St.LouisCardinals 3vs.SanFranciscoGiants 2vs.PittsburghPirates 0

IACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

RECOGNIZETHATAprojectofthisscopecouldnotbecompletedwithoutthecooperationofanumberofpeople.Tothemediarelationsandpublicityprofessionalsworkingforeachofthethirtymajorleaguebaseballteams,Iam

extremelyappreciativeforyourhelpinprovidingmewithaccesstoyourteam’splayers and for putting me in contact with retired players. To all the playeragentsandtheirassistants,Icannotthankyouenoughforhelpingtoconnectmewithyourclients.Iknowtheirtimeisvaluableduringtheseasonastheypreparethemselves for themost difficult challenge in all of sport—to hit a round ballwitharoundbatsquarely.

AnyinsecuritiesIheldaboutthisproject’sviabilitywerequicklybattedawaywhentheplayeragentsandteampublicrelationscoordinatorstoldmethatthisbookwasagreat ideaandone that they’d look forward toreading.Since theseweretheverypeoplethatIwasdependingontopresenttheinterviewrequesttotheplayersfortheirconsideration,Iwascomfortedtoknowthattheyweremyalliesintheprocess.Ioweadebtofgratitudetoallofthesepeoplewhoworksohardbehindthescenestomakethemediamachinerunsosmoothly.

Even with all the revealing interviews to transcribe and edit, there still wasmuch information to compile and fact-check. Several wonderful Internetdestinationsservedasmy invaluable lifeline fordata,boxscores, statistics,andplay-by-play accounts, including baseball-reference.com,newyork.yankees.mlb.com, thebaseballcube.com, and baseball-almanac.com, allofwhichareterrificresearchtoolsforjournalistsandfunWebsurfingforhard-corebaseballfans.

NielsAaboeofSkyhorsePublishingnotonlygot thisprojectoff theground,hesteeredit,andme,intherightdirection.I’mdeeplygratefulforhisguidanceandwise counsel along theway. I can think of few greater gifts someone canbestow thanencouraginganotherperson’s laborof love.Andover thepast sixmonths, this author has received lots of encouragement. Thanks also to SaraKitchenforshepherdingtheprojectthroughproduction.

Throughout the long period of nurturing this book, I was blessed with theperfectworkenvironment.Asafreelanceauthorworkingfromhome,thismeansalovingfamilythatunderstandsmycrazylifestyleandsupportsmypassionforprojects like thisone.Ahugehug tomydaughter,Rachel,who telephonesmefromcollege toreceive the latestupdatesonmyprogress,andtomyson, Jack,

http://baseball-reference.com

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com

http://thebaseballcube.com

http://baseball-almanac.com

whohasthesoftesthandsofanyhighschoolinfielderI’veeverseen,forkeepingalive my enthusiasm for baseball—the greatest game ever invented. My wife,Carolyn, is always an inspirationandherunconditional love iswhatkeepsmegoinginworkandinlife.Overourtwo-decades-plusmarriageshehasbecomeaprettysavvybaseballfanwhocanfirst-guesswiththebestofbaseball’stelevisionanalysts.

I am, of course, very appreciative of each of the current and formermajorleaguers who agreed to speak with me, whether they were successful facingRiveraornot.Iwassurprisedbyhowself-deprecatingmanyoftheplayerswerewhenassessingthemselvesintheirmatch-upswithRivera.Professionalathletes,bynature,areaself-confidentbunch,notaccustomedtoadmittingoracceptingfailure, evenwhen they are competing against the very best of opponents. ButwhenspeakingoftheirfutileandfeebleattemptstohitRivera’scutfastball,themajorityofplayersareable to laughat themselves,andI foundthisrefreshing.EventhefewhitterswhopossessahighbattingaverageagainstRiveraclaimtheyweremore lucky than good, or at the very least, upon reflection, they readilyconfessthattheirbasehitswerenotsolidlystruckbutratherwerebloopersandbleeders, touse theirparlance.Thanks to all for yourparticipation;becauseofyou,thisbookisahomerun!

Finally, this book would not have been possible without the supremedomination ofMariano Rivera, the greatest closer who ever lived. Thanks fornineteenseasonsofpure,unmitigatedjoy.

DavidFischer

NewJersey,October2013

PHOTOCREDIT

PhotoofMarianoRivera:APPhoto/ElaineThompson

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

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