In the 2003 American League Championship Series against the arch-rival Boston Red Sox, Rivera delivered one of the best postseason performances of his career. In Game 7, he entered in the ninth inning with the score tied 5–5 and pitched three scoreless innings, en route to becoming the game's winning pitcher. Though Aaron Boone's eleventh-inning walk-off home run clinched the Yankees' World Series berth, Rivera was named the series' MVP for recording two saves and a win. He celebrated by running to the mound and collapsing in joy and exhaustion to thank God, as Boone rounded the bases and was met by his teammates at home plate. The Yankees lost in the 2003 World Series to the Florida Marlins; Rivera saved five games and allowed only one earned run in 16 innings pitched that postseason.
Prior to the 2004 season, with a year left on his contract, he signed a two-year extension worth $21 million, with an option for a third year in 2007. The 2004 season was another stellar year for Rivera. In addition to becoming the 17th pitcher in MLB history to record 300 saves, he made the All-Star team with 32 saves at the break, then an American League record. Rivera finished the season with a 1.94 ERA, and he led the majors in saves for a third time with a career-best 53 saves in 57 opportunities. He won his third AL Rolaids Relief Man Award and placed third in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.
Following the Yankees' victory in the 2004 American League Division Series against the Twins, Rivera returned home to Panama after two of his relatives had been killed in a swimming accident at his home. Despite his status being in doubt for the American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, he returned to New York for Game 1 on the same day the funeral was held in Panama. He recorded a save later that night, as well as in Game 2. Although the Yankees led three-games-to-none in the series, Rivera blew saves in Games 4 and 5, and the Red Sox won both games in extra innings to avoid elimination. In Game 4, pinch runner Dave Roberts stole second base off Rivera and scored on a base hit to tie the game. In Game 5, Rivera entered with a one-run lead with runners on base and allowed a sacrifice fly to tie the score.[58] Although he allowed just one earned run in the 2004 postseason, he blew three of five save opportunities in the two series. The Red Sox' comeback victories helped them become the first team in MLB history to win a best-of-seven series in which they trailed three-games-to-none.
Following a career high in appearances in 2004, Rivera did not throw during the offseason, unlike previous years. His 2005 season began on a low note. After missing time in spring training with elbow bursitis, he blew his first two save opportunities of the season against the Red Sox, marking four consecutive blown opportunities against Boston, dating back to the previous postseason Fans at Yankee Stadium booed Rivera, and baseball journalists speculated if his days as a dominant pitcher were over. He was subsequently cheered by Red Sox fans during pre-game introductions at Fenway Park the following week, in recognition of his struggles against the Red Sox. He took the ovation with a good sense of humor and tipped his cap to the crowd.
Rivera responded in dominating fashion and finished 2005 with his greatest season to that point. He made the All-Star team, converted 31 consecutive save opportunities, and finished the season with 43 saves in 47 opportunities. He set new career bests in many statistical categories, including ERA (1.38) and walks plus hits per inning pitched, or WHIP (0.87). Rivera limited opposing hitters to a batting average against of only .177, then a closer-career best. Along with winning his fourth AL Rolaids Relief Man Award, Rivera placed second in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award to starter Bartolo Colón and ninth for the AL Most Valuable Player Award—his highest finishes in voting for both awards.
2006–2008
Despite starting 2006 with a subpar April, Rivera made his third consecutive All-Star team, with a 1.76 ERA and 19 saves entering the All-Star break. He saved the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, tying a record for three All-Star Game saves. That summer, on July 16, he reached another milestone, becoming the fourth pitcher in major league history to record 400 saves. He was sidelined for most of September with a strain in his throwing elbow, but he finished the 2006 season with 34 saves in 37 opportunities and an ERA of 1.80—the fourth consecutive season he posted a sub-2.00 ERA. For a second consecutive year, he earned the Delivery Man of the Year Award, voted on annually by fans.
Before the 2007 season, Rivera attempted to extend his contract, which was to expire at the end of the year. Yankees management refused to negotiate near the start of the season, prompting him to respond that he would consider free agency after the season. Rivera had an uncharacteristically poor month in April, blowing his first two save opportunities, compiling two losses, and surrendering nine earned runs in 7 2⁄3 innings pitched. Concerned sportswriters attributed his struggles to infrequent use, as the Yankees presented him with few situations to enter a game. Rivera recovered, saving 30 of his next 32 opportunities and posting a 2.26 ERA over the final five months of the season. He also passed John Franco for third place on the all-time saves list by recording his 425th career save. Still, 2007 was his weakest statistical season as a closer, as he recorded closer career worsts in earned runs (25), hits (68), and ERA (3.15). His 30 saves in 34 opportunities were his second-lowest total since 1997.[24] After the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round, he stated his intentions to test the free agent market; he was unhappy that long-time Yankees manager Joe Torre was not re-signed and that the team's ownership was transitioning from George Steinbrenner to his sons. Speculation that Rivera would sign elsewhere ended when he agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the Yankees, making him the highest-paid reliever in baseball history.
Rivera rebounded in 2008, starting the year with 16 scoreless innings pitched and 28 consecutive saves converted, both personal bests to start a season. His first-half performance, highlighted by a 1.06 ERA and 23 saves in as many opportunities, earned him his ninth All-Star selection. With the 2008 MLB All-Star Game being held at Yankee Stadium in the venue's final year of existence, a few sportswriters proposed making Rivera the AL's starting pitcher as a tribute to him and his home ballpark; he instead was used as a reliever in the AL's extra-inning win. Despite struggling in non-save situations in the second half of the season, he finished the season well and recorded two milestones in the final month: on September 15, he recorded his 479th save to pass Lee Smith for second all-time in regular season saves; on September 21, in the final game in Yankee Stadium history, Rivera threw the final pitch, retiring the Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts on a ground-out. After the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in his career, Rivera disclosed that he had suffered from shoulder pain throughout the year. Tests revealed calcification of the acromioclavicular joint in his throwing shoulder, for which he underwent minor arthroscopic surgery in the offseason.
Rivera finished 2008 with perhaps the best individual season of his career. Along with a 1.40 ERA and 39 saves in 40 opportunities, he set career bests in multiple statistical categories, including WHIP (0.67), on-base plus slugging (OPS)-against (.422), batting average against (.165), save conversion rate (97.5%), walks (6), earned runs (11), and blown saves (1). He averaged 9.81 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, his best mark as a closer. He had a historical season in terms of his control, as his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 12.83 made him the second pitcher since 1900 to record a figure that high in a season. He placed fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.
2009–present
Rivera during the 2009 World Series victory parade, celebrating his fifth championship
Rivera struggled early in 2009, allowing home runs on a more frequent basis, which led to speculation about his cutter's effectiveness and his shoulder's health at age 39. As the season progressed, he pitched better, and he reached a historic milestone on June 28 by becoming the second pitcher to reach 500 regular season saves. In the same game, he recorded his first career run batted in by drawing a walk with the bases loaded against fellow closer Francisco Rodríguez. Rivera earned a tenth All-Star selection with 23 saves in 24 opportunities and a 2.43 ERA in the first half. At the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, he set a record by saving his fourth All-Star Game. In the season's second half, Rivera dominated, allowing earned runs in only two of his final 40 appearances, while setting a new personal best for consecutive save opportunities converted with 36. He finished the regular season with a 1.76 ERA, 44 saves in 46 opportunities, and a 0.90 WHIP. In the postseason, he pitched 16 innings, allowing one earned run and saving five games, and he was on the mound to clinch the Yankees' victory in the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies—his fifth championship. He was the only closer among postseason teams that did not record a loss or blown save. He collected several awards at season's end, including his third Delivery Man Award, his fifth AL Rolaids Relief Man Award, and the 2009 Sporting News Pro Athlete of the Year Award. Reflecting on the decade's end, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick called Rivera the most valuable major league pitcher of the previous 10 years.
In 2010, Rivera and teammates Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada became the first trio in any of the four North American major sports leagues to play together on the same team in 16 consecutive seasons. Rivera began with one of his best first halves, compiling a 1.05 ERA, 20 saves in 22 opportunities, and 0.64 WHIP before the All-Star break, and he set a personal best streak of 24 consecutive batters retired in June.[98] He earned an 11th All-Star selection but withdrew from the game to rest lingering oblique and knee injuries. His performance in the season's second half was less dominant, and he particularly struggled in September with three blown saves and a 4.76 ERA. His final numbers included a strong 1.80 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, but his 33 saves in 38 opportunities and 6.75 strikeouts per 9 innings ratio were among the lowest of his career. In the postseason, he pitched 6 1⁄3 scoreless innings while saving three games. After becoming a free agent in the offseason, Rivera agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract to remain with the Yankees.
In the offseason, all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman retired with a final tally of 601, leaving Rivera as the active lead in saves to start 2011 and 42 behind Hoffman's record. Rivera's season has been marked by several milestones. In addition to breaking the all-time record for games finished, on May 25, he became the 15th pitcher to make 1,000 appearances, and the first to do so with a single team. He was named an All-Star for the 12th time with a 1.85 ERA and 22 saves in 26 opportunities at the break, but for the second consecutive year, he skipped the game to rest injuries. His pursuit of Hoffman's all-time regular season saves record reached a climax in the final month of the season; on September 13, he recorded his 600th save, making him just the second pitcher to reach that mark. Four days later, he saved his 601st game, tying him for the most in MLB history.
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