Did you know that Mariano Rivera was the last player to retire, who was permitted by Major League Baseball, to continue to wear his regular #42 after Commissioner Bud Selig declared in 1997 that the number would be permanently retired by every baseball team in honor of Jackie Robinson ?

Mariano Rivera | Monument Park in Yankee Stadium | Uniform #42

Only a few pitchers have ever stepped on the mound more than 1,000 times [ Top 1,000 ], and on May 25, 2011 , Mariano Rivera made his 1,000th appearance and became the first pitcher in Major League history to do so with only one team (the New York Yankees ). Mo hung up his cleats two years later and had stepped onto the pitching mound 1,115 times, fourth most in baseball history behind Jesse Orosco (1,252), Mike Stanton (1,178), and John Franco (1,119).

Mariano Rivera "only" led the American League in games saved three times (1999, 2001, 2004), but his 652 career games saved puts him ahead of all other closers in our Saves Record Book and #1 overall on the Top 1,000 Games Saved list.

Mariano Rivera holds the American League record for Most Consecutive Appearances as a Relief Pitcher (1,105) and Most Games Pitched as a Relief Pitcher (1,105). His National League counterpart is John Franco who holds both marks as well (1,119) and the Major League record for both is held by Jesse Orosco (1,199 / 1,248 respectively).

Mariano Rivera had at least twenty saves in sixteen seasons, the most seasons by any closer in Major League history. The Panama Express also had the most twenty-five save seasons (16), the most consecutive twenty-five save seasons (15), the most thirty save seasons (15) and the most consecutive thirty save seasons (9). The Sandman and Trevor Hoffman are tied for the most 35-save seasons (12) and most 40-save seasons (9). And only two pitchers in history have had more than one 50-save seasons, Mo and Eric Gagne .

Mariano Rivera "only" appears in the top 20 for best earned run average in Major League history , but if you look at each of the names above his, you'll notice no closer is better.

Mariano Rivera was selected to appear in thirteen All-Star Games, the most by any reliever. The Sandman earned a save in four of the thirteen Midsummer Classics, the 1997 All Star Game , the 2005 All Star Game , the 2006 All Star Game , and the 2009 All Star Game - an All-Star Pitching Record for Most All-Star Games Saved .

The Sporting News, on September 24, 2009, announced their Team of the Decade (2000 through 2009) which was composed of the following future Hall of Famers: Joe Mauer (catcher), Albert Pujols (first base), Jeff Kent (second base), Derek Jeter (shortstop), Alex Rodriguez (third base), Barry Bonds (outfield), Ichiro Suzuki (outfield), Manny Ramirez (outfield), David Ortiz (designated hitter), Randy Johnson (starting pitcher), Mariano Rivera (closer) and Joe Torre (manager).