Mariano Rivera makes it official: He’ll retire after 2013 season
Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees’ future Hall of Fame reliever who returned this season after a major knee injury, confirmed the worst-kept secret in spring camp Saturday morning when he announced that he’ll retire at the end of the 2013 season -- preferably doing what no other reliever in the history of baseball has done, saving the World Series-clinching game.
“It’s not too easy when you come to a decision like this,” Rivera said surrounded by family and teammates at a news conference in Tampa, Fla. “After this year, I will be retired .... Now you’re hearing it from me. It’s official now.”
When he hangs up his jersey, the No. 42 -- now retired by Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson -- will also be a thing of the past.
“Being the last player to wear No. 42 is a privilege,” said Rivera, a 12-time All-Star who has a record 42 saves in the postseason.
“I don’t feel myself [as] the greatest of all time. I’m a team player. I would love to be remembered as a player who was always there for others.”
Rivera, 43, has been there for the Yankees since he broke into the majors in 1995. He has a record 608 saves in 1,051 appearances and has helped New York win five World Series. He enters this season with a record of 76-58 and a 2.21 earned-run average.
The right-hander from Panama pitched in nine games last season, saving five, before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on May 3 while performing a pregame ritual -- shagging fly balls during batting practice.
His dream scenario?
“The last game I hope will be throwing the last pitch in the World Series,” Rivera said. “Winning the World Series, that would be my ambition.”
ALSO:
Tiger-Phil final twosome? Graeme McDowell spoils it
UCLA forward Travis Wear will play against Washington
Oklahoma high school player scores winning basket for other team
More to Read
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.