Mariano Rivera Earns 400th
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by user Ufgators
Hall of Fame-caliber pitcher Mariano Rivera earned his 400th save against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. "It's amazing, amazing to even think about it," Rivera offered, after closing out TWO innings again for the New York Yankees, which is no easy task for a closer. "I've been blessed."
Rivera became the fourth major league pitcher to reach 400 saves. The other three include Lee Smith (9/17/1993) , John Franco (4/14/1999) , and Trevor Hoffman (5/06/2005).
To show you how impressive this feat is, let's look at some statistics: there are only four pitchers in the 400 saves club; 20 pitchers in the 300 save club; and the next highest club is the 50 saves club.
In his career, he is 8-1 with a 0.81 ERA with 34 saves in 39 opportunities in 111.2 innings in the postseason. Talk about turning it on when it counts!
"For a guy who has pitched as a closer for less than 10 years, and to have been as consistent as he has been, to get there as quickly as he did, it's just remarkable," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "I've been very fortunate. He's been with me the whole time I've been here. I can't tell you what that means."
Even the opposing manager raved about Rivera's historic career.
"On the field and off the field, Hall of Fame," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Young people should look up to him. He's the perfect player."
Mariano Rivera is indeed a Hall of Fame-caliber player. In 1999, he was the AL Rolaids Relief Winner, as well as the World Series MVP! Can you fathom how incredible that is? A RELIEF PITCHER WINNING THE WORLD SERIES MVP! In 2003, he was awarded as the AL LCS MVP.
Rivera is looking to extend his streak of three straight seasons with 40 or more saves in a season. If I could have any pitcher in baseball history to close out a game for me, it will undoubtedly be Mariano Rivera and his 2.31 lifetime ERA.
And to think that he began his career in 1995 as a starter, going 5-3 in 10 games started.
"Every time I go out there, it's business," Rivera, who has been striking fear in opposing hitter's hearts for 12 years, said. "I respect everyone, and I hope I get that respect back."
- Source: CBSSPORTSLINE.COM, http://retrosheet.org/miles-sv.htm
Date
Mon 07/17/06, 8:51 am EST
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