Baseball icon Mariano Rivera, a native of Panama, is largely recognized as the game's finest reliever. During his time with the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013, Rivera enjoyed unmatched success, capturing five World Series championships (1996, 1998, 2000, and 2009) and cementing his place as a baseball legend.

Baseball player Rivera was discovered at a young age in his native Panama, where he was born and reared in the small fishing community of Puerto Caimito. He was signed by a Yankees scout at the age of 20, which prompted him to travel to the US to play in the team's minor-league system. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 1995, originally pitching as both a starter and a reliever before switching to being a closer full-time the following year.

When his trademark cut fastball became a practically unhittable pitch, Rivera's career reached new heights. He dominated the league and three times (1999, 2001, and 2004) led the American League in saves by using the cutter nearly exclusively. Rivera had a spectacular career, winning 13 All-Star selections and setting records for saves with 652 in total. His lifetime adjusted ERA (ERA+) of 205 is still the highest in history, and his career earned run average (ERA) was an astounding 2.21.

Although Rivera achieved great things throughout the regular season, his postseason efforts made him a legend. He participated in two Series defeats as well as five World Series victories with the Yankees. Rivera pitched 141 innings while allowing only 11 earned runs, setting a postseason record with 42 saves in 96 games. He has established himself as a dominant force even in the most stressful situations thanks to his postseason ERA of 0.70, which is the lowest of all time.

Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Rivera was renowned for his fine control, fluid pitching action, and calm temperament..

How to hire Mariano Rivera for an event