MLB: Bartolo Colon and Four Other Ageless Wonders in Baseball Today

Mariano Rivera

Age: 43

Jul 7, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera (42) pitches during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Baltimore Orioles won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

I first started following Major League Baseball when I played Little League, sometime around 1998 or 1999. I routed for the Braves back then because they were on TBS all the time.

I remember a series they played against the Yankees, when Mariano Rivera blew a save and gave up four runs, at least that’s how many I remember. I was happy for the Braves’ win, but it is the only time I remember Rivera blowing a save by giving up that many runs, and I’ve never seen it again.

Rivera has always been a Yankee. Ever since he was signed in 1995, he has worn the pin stripes. His stats are actually better this year than they were in 1995, when Mariano Rivera had an ERA of 5.51.

There is no question as to whether or not Rivera will be in the MLB Hall of Fame. He has only blown forty saves in his career, including his recent blown save against the Mets.

This blown save was a big deal for Rivera because he blew the save without recording an out. It was the first time he’d done that in his entire career. This article talks more about its significance.