Report: Mariano Rivera to retire after 2013 season
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The greatest closer of all-time will give it a go just one more time.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman tweeted Thursday afternoon that Mariano Rivera has scheduled a news conference for Saturday morning to announce the 2013 season will be his last.
I can report #Yankees have 10 am press conf sked Sat at Steinbrenner Field at which Rivera is set to announce retirement after ’13 season
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 7, 2013
Rivera, 43, announced earlier this spring he had already made a decision on whether he would retire after the season, but wasn’t ready to announce it yet. He said he would tell everyone before spring training ended.
Sherman did add that Rivera was always subject to changing his mind, but the “time and room are booked for his retirement announcement.”
Rivera made similar statements before the 2012 season, saying he had made his mind up about whether 2012 would be his last season. He did not, however, make the decision public despite speculation it would be his final year.
All that changed May 3 in Kansas City when he tore his ACL shagging fly balls in center field before a game. He said soon after he would return for 2013.
Rivera has yet to throw in a spring training game as he recovers from surgery, but is expected to throw this weekend. He has been throwing bullpen sessions and took part in a simulated game this past week.
The all-time saves leader (608) is considered to be the best relief pitcher in MLB history. He burst on the scene as a shutdown set-up man for John Wetteland in the Yankees’ 1996 title season and took over the closer role in 1997. He has a career ERA of 2.21 and WHIP of 1.00. He is a 12-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion.
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.
