Rivera was signed by the Yankees organization in 1990 as an amateur free agent in Panama, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1995. Initially a starting pitcher, he struggled in the role and was consequently converted to a relief pitcher. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees' closer in 1997. In the following years, he established himself as one of baseball's top relievers, leading the major leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. His presence in the late innings of games to record the final outs has played an instrumental role in the Yankees' success in the late-1990s and 2000s. His pitching repertoire consists primarily of one pitch—a sharp-breaking, mid-90s mile per hour (mph) cut fastball that has been called an all-time great pitch.
Rivera is regarded as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball history.Pitching with a longevity and consistency uncommon to the closer role, he has saved at least 25 games in a record 15 consecutive seasons and has posted an earned run average (ERA) under 2.50 in 12 seasons. Rivera has further distinguished himself with a calm, placid demeanor that contrasts with the demonstrative nature of many of his peers. An exceptional postseason performer, he holds postseason records for saves (42) and ERA (0.71), among other records. Sportswriters anticipate Rivera will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame upon retirement. He intends to work in philanthropy after his baseball career.
Early life
Mariano Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama, on November 29, 1969, to Mariano, Sr. and Delia Rivera. His father worked as a ship captain in the fishing industry. Rivera has one older sister, Delia, and two younger brothers, Alvaro and Giraldo. He grew up in the Panamanian fishing village of Puerto Caimito—a town he described as "poor"—frequently playing soccer with his friends. They also played baseball in the streets by substituting milk cartons for gloves and tree branches for bats, and by fashioning balls by taping wads of shredded fishing nets and beat-up baseballs with electrical tape. Rivera used this makeshift equipment until his father bought him his first leather glove when he was 12 years old. He thought of baseball as a hobby and did not seriously consider playing professionally. While attending Pedro Pablo Sanchez High School, he played soccer, but his aspirations of becoming a professional player ended after a series of ankle injuries. After graduating from high school at age 16, he worked six-day weeks on a commercial boat on which his father was captain, catching shrimp and sardines. Rivera did not consider taking up the profession as an adult though, as he thought the job was "way too tough", and he wanted to become a mechanic. As a 19-year-old, he had to abandon a capsizing 120-short-ton (110 t) commercial boat, all but convincing him to give up fishing as a career.
In 1988, Rivera began to play baseball as a shortstop for Panamá Oeste, a local amateur team. Herb Raybourn, the New York Yankees' director of Latin American operations, saw athleticism in Rivera but did not project him to be a major league shortstop. A year later, Panamá Oeste's pitcher performed so poorly that Rivera volunteered to pitch. He excelled at the position, prompting his teammates to contact Yankees scout Chico Heron. Two weeks later, Rivera was invited to a Yankees tryout camp in Panama City where Raybourn was visiting. Raybourn was surprised to find Rivera pitching at the camp, since scouts passed on him as a shortstop a year prior. Although Rivera had no formal pitching training and threw only 85–87 miles per hour (137–140 kilometres per hour), Raybourn was impressed by Rivera's athleticism and smooth, effortless pitching motion. Viewing Rivera as a raw talent, Raybourn signed the amateur free agent to a contract with a US$3,000 signing bonus ($5,042 today) on February 17, 1990.
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