Ten Things About Mariano Rivera

Predictably, the 2013 All-Star Game belong to Mariano Rivera.

The New York Yankees closer (and all-time saves leader) was expected to pitch late and in the eighth, with the American League up 3-0…it happened.

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"I wanted to pitch. You know the game of baseball," the 43-year-old said following the game. "Anything can happen. [Manager Jim] Leyland wanted to make sure that I pitch. It was a great idea. I appreciate him giving me the opportunity to do this, in New York, for the fans here. I think the plan was perfect."

It's fitting that Rivera tossed a 1-2-3 inning, shutting down Jean Segura (groundout to second base), Allen Craig (lineout to left field) and the Carlos Gomez (groundout to shortstop).  Naturally, this preserved his career All-Star Game ERA at a perfect 0.00.

Here are ten things you might not have known about the all-time saves leader.

1999
Sure, we all know that Mariano Rivera was named the 2013 All-Star Game MVP, but did you know that the last time a pitcher took home the award was 1999?  You do now…and that pitcher was another future Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez.

89.48%

Of the number of Major League records that Mariano Rivera holds…this is one of the more impressive.  Say what you want about the value of saves, but dude has closed out close to 90% of all the save opportunities (638 of 713) he’s had.

72

In Mariano Rivera’s time as a member of the Yankees, he’s closed out a number of games for a number of different pitchers.  The pitcher that he’s been paired up with the most on the win/save ledger…Andy Pettitte.  Of Pettitte’s 215 wins in pinstripes, Rivera saved 72 of them.  83 if you include the postseason!

60

Trivia time!  Two of Mariano Rivera’s record 638 saves have been one pitch saves.  The most pitches he’s thrown to get the save came August 23, 1996 when he threw 60.

51

In May 2010, Mariano Rivera tied Eric Gagne for the most consecutive saves at home with 51.  Sure, it isn’t a Major League record, but given the division the Bombers play in (arguably, the toughest in baseball), 51 straight at The Stadium is impressive.

42

Sure, sure, 638 career saves is great and all…but how many did Mariano Rivera have in the postseason?  Answer.  42…with 11 of them coming in the World Series.

25

We all know Mariano Rivera enters Yankees Stadium to “Enter Sandman”, right?  Sure, that’s been documented plenty.  But did you know that the album the track comes from (“Metallica” by Metallica) is the 25th best-selling album of all-time in America with more than $30 million sold?

12

Due to injury, Mariano Rivera notched only 28 saves in 2002.  But picking up the slack, was Steve Karsay with 12 saves.  Karsay, incidentally, recorded his only saves as a member of the Yankees during the time Rivera was on the shelf.

4

Let’s break this down.  Mariano Rivera now has a record 638 regular season saves, 42 postseason saves and four All-Star Game saves.  Anyone who says “saves don’t matter” (and there are plenty of you) hasn’t been paying attention to Rivera’s impact.

1

Speaking of the “saves don’t matter” crowd…here’s some fuel for their fire.  23 times Mariano Rivera came in to secure the victory by only facing one batter.