This Day in Baseball History

2011 - Yankees closer Mariano Rivera sets record for most career saves with 602

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera takes the mound in the Bronx and officially cements himself as baseball's greatest closer. 

"The Sandman" needs only 13 pitches to dispose of the Minnesota Twins, in order, to notch save No. 602, surpassing Trevor Hoffman for the most in Major League Baseball history. 

[Courtesy: MLB.com]

"It's a blessing," Rivera tells ESPN. "I never thought that I'd be doing this for so many years and be able to accomplish (this) record."

Rivera's record-breaking milestone comes 15 years and 125 days after earning his first save in 1996 as a 26-year-old. 

"For the first time in my career, I'm on the mound alone, there is no one behind me," Rivera said following the game. "I can't describe that feeling. It was priceless. I didn't know it could be like that."

Birthdays

1943 - Joe Morgan
1967 - Jim Abbott
1978 - Nick Johnson
1980 - Ryan Roberts
1983 - John Jaso
1984 - Danny Valencia
1985 - Gio Gonzalez
1989 - George Springer