Mariano Rivera

Even before this special talent became a closer, he finished third in Cy Young voting in 1996 on the strength of his extraordinary set up work, which led to the resurgence of the Yankee "dynasty" after an eighteen year drought in World Series Championships. Read Full Story

Here was the scene last night. It was the bottom of the seventh inning, the New York Yankees had a 6-4 lead over the Los Angeles Angels. A.J. Burnett allows the first two batters on base. Demaso Marte comes in the game and allows one of Burnett’s runners to score. Phil Hughes came in the game and allowed two more runs. The Yankees were then losing 7-6 which would be the final score. Why not have Mariano Rivera pitch the seventh and eighth inning and then go to Robertson or Hughes with no men on base in the ninth inning? At that point in ... Read Full Story

Mariano Rivera is one of the most respected players in all of baseball and a no-doubt first ballot hall of famer who has mastered MLB over 15-plus seasons with nearly one pitch, a cutter. The supposed evidence in the final frame is actually the Majestic logo on Scioscia's jacket in the next frame. Well, there is an Angels fan blog out there, Halos Heaven, that is trying to convince us that his one pitch is actually a spitter. Here is what they had to say : Personally, the video you are about to watch is pretty amazing: I would say this is pretty conclusive ... Read Full Story

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has soreness in his left groin, an injury that could sideline the pitcher through the weekend. Rivera said he first began to feel sore on Aug. 15 in Seattle. He has pitched in five games since then, including Monday and Tuesday, when he recorded his 37th and 38th saves against Baltimore. But Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Rivera was not going to pitch in the finale Wednesday regardless of the score, adding that it was likely the right-hander would be held out of the four-game series in Toronto that begins Thursday. Rivera leads the majors in saves and ... Read Full Story

Since the Yankees and Angels clinched and confirmed their date in the 2009 ALCS all I’ve heard about what a great team the Angels are. People are entitled to their opinions so I can’t bash anyone for that, but it did get me thinking about the Yankee teams that previously faced the Angels. In 2002 and 2005 the Yankees faced the Angels in the ALDS and both times were unfortunately bounced in dramatic fashion. In 2002 the team still had a dominating starting rotation and a reliable bullpen. Pitchers on the team included, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, Mariano Rivera, Steve Karsay, Orlando ... Read Full Story