Mariano Rivera Sets Baseball Saves Record

At approximately 4:25 EDT on September 19, 2011, New York Yankee closer Mariano "Mo" Rivera set the all-time saves records with 602. The 41-year-old Rivera earned his 602 save following the strike out of infielder Chris Parmelee. Rivera used his famous "cutter" pitch to nail Parmelee. Many in baseball believe that Mo was the best reliever of all time. Now, statistically, he is. 40,045 were in attendance to see the Yankees beat the Twins 6-4. The now retired Trevor Hoffman, who spent most of his career with the San Diego Padres, was the current saves leader, with 601. In an interview with Yankee announcer Susan Waldman, Mariano said he was happy to break the saves record at home, at Yankee Stadium. The save was the Rivera's 43^rd of the 2011 season. Rivera struck out Parmelee with his now famous "cutter" pitch. Even Minnesota Twins players, after the third out, cheered the Panamanian-born Rivera. According to MLB.com's Joey Nowak, "the seventh time in Rivera's illustrious career that he has recorded at least 43 saves in a season (1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009), as he continues to build on yet another 40-save year. Only Hoffman, who has done it nine times, has more than Rivera's eight 40-save seasons. It was the right-hander's 290th save at home and 32nd against the Twins." New York pitcher A.J. Burnett was the starting pitcher for the game. However, reliever Cory Wade was the winner of the game. And, with a few weeks of the 2011 season remaining, Rivera has a chance to build on his all-time saves lead. Also, who knows how many more years Rivera's arm will be effective? Mo achieved his first save during the 1996 season.