Mariano Rivera Becomes All-Time Saves Leader
While understanding that it was out of his control, Mariano Rivera wanted nothing more than to break Trevor Hoffman’s all-time saves record in front of his home crowd at Yankee Stadium. Rivera got his wish yesterday, notching number 602 in front of over 40,000 in New York.
Rivera ushered himself into the record books as the game’s all-time saves leader Monday afternoon, retiring the Twins in order for another perfect 9th inning of work.
Early on, the contest wasn’t shaping up to be one that would require a closer. New York lit up Twins starter Scott Diamond, scoring 5 runs off of the young left-hander by the 3rd inning.
But Minnesota kept things close, scoring 4 runs of their own against Yankees starter A.J. Burnett. Alex Rodriguez added some insurance in the 6th, and New York’s bullpen was able to maintain the 6-4 advantage heading into the game’s final frame.
As he’d done so many times before, Rivera entered the field of play, ushered in by the sounds of Metallica. Minnesota sent their 2-3-4 hitters to the plate, which at this point does not include guys named Mauer or Morneau.
It may not have made a difference yesterday if it included the likes of Ruth, Mays or Williams, Rivera was dealing. After inducing a ground ball and fly out, Rivera ended things in almost storybook fashion, striking out the final batter with one of his signature cutters.
Following the final strike, Rivera was congratulated by Yankees and Twins alike before returning to the mound and recognizing the crowd with a tip of his cap.
Now the question becomes, what’s next? At Rivera’s current rate of production, there’s no way of telling when this seemingly ageless wonder will stop.
For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.