Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969, in Panama
City, Panama) is a professional baseball player. He
is a relief pitcher for Major League Baseball's New
York Yankees. He throws and bats right-handed.
Nicknamed "Mo," Rivera originally began his Major
League career as a starting pitcher in 1995, but it
was after he was moved to the bullpen and converted
to closer that he found success. He has subsequently
become one of the premier closers in the majors.
Some people within the baseball world often refer to
Rivera as the greatest postseason relief pitcher and
the greatest closer in baseball history. Along with
having the third-most career regular season saves in
Major League history, Rivera is the Major League's
all-time postseason leader in saves and ERA. In his
career with the Yankees, Rivera has won 4 World
Series titles.
Rivera is well-known for his signature pitch, a
sharp-breaking cut fastball. He is the last active
MLB player to wear the uniform number 42, which was
retired throughout baseball in 1997 in honor of
Jackie Robinson.
