Mariano Rivera

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Full Name: Mariano Rivera Primary Position: P Height/Weight: 6' 4"/168 First Game: May 23, 1995 Birthdate: November 29, 1969 MLB Experience: 12 years Birthplace: Panama City, Panama Bat/Throw: Right/Right

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[edit] Biography

Born on November 29, 1969 in Panama City, Panama, Mariano Rivera (Mariano Rivera), nicknamed "Mo," "Sandman," and "The Hammer of God," played for the New York Yankees for his entire 12 year career. Rivera broke into the bigs on May 23, 1995 with the New York Yankees, and put up a 5.51 ERA in 67 innings pitched in 1995, his rookie year.

There is some disagreement on what was Mariano Rivera's most productive season. Some believe that it was 2004, when he posted a 1.94 ERA, notched 53 saves and struck out 66 batters. However, others believe that it was 2005, when he posted a 1.38 ERA, notched 43 saves and struck out 80 batters.

[edit] Scouting Report

Rivera has made his living off of one pitch--the cutter. It breaks fast and in, and few hitters in the league can hit it. His fastball hits 92-94 mph and tops off at 96-98 mph.

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• Signed as a non-drafted free agent by New York Yankees (February 17, 1990).

[edit] Trivia

• Rivera is a cousin of former Yankee Ruben Rivera.
• Mariano Rivera has saved four all-star games in his career (1997, 2005, 2006, 2009), the most by any closer.
• Over the course of his professional career, Rivera learned English. He is now a proponent of Latino players learning English and of American press members learning Spanish, in order to bridge the cultural gap.
• Rivera is a devout Christian. He maintains that God has a reason for everything that happens. For example, Rivera found his failure in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series easier to deal with when he learned of the consequences it had on a teammate. Had the Yankees won Game 7 and the World Series, Enrique Wilson would have flown home to the Dominican Republic and been aboard the deadly American Airlines Flight 587. "I am glad we lost the World Series," Rivera told Wilson, "because it means that I still have a friend." Rivera's pitching glove is inscribed "Phil. 4:13", in reference to the Bible verse Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me").
• Rivera is a partner in a restaurant in New Rochelle, New York called "Mo's New York Grill". He is also involved with philanthropic contributions in his native Panama, which include building an elementary school and a church, providing Christmas gifts to children, and developing a program that provides computer access and adult mentors to youths.
• Rivera is signed to an endorsement deal with sports apparel company Nike, Inc.

[edit] External links

• Baseball Almanac
• Baseball Cube
• Baseball Library
• Baseball Reference
• The Hardball Times article on Rivera
• Unofficial Mariano Rivera Fan Site

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