In a heartbreaking turn of events during the New York Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day game on Saturday, Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera sustained a torn Achilles tendon while pursuing a fly ball. The legendary closer, who holds the record for the most career saves in baseball history, will undergo surgery within the week, as confirmed by his agent, Fern Cuza. At 55 years old, Rivera's injury has left fans and former teammates in shock.
During the game, Rivera had a memorable moment in his only at-bat, where he successfully singled off former teammate Andy Pettitte and made it to first base without any issues. However, the situation took a turn when, while watching a play involving fellow player Willie Randolph, Rivera took a step and collapsed in shallow center field behind second base. The excitement of the Old-Timers’ Day was overshadowed by the news of Rivera’s injury.
The New York Yankees had not hosted the Old-Timers’ Day game since 2019, making this event particularly special. Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens expressed his disbelief during an interview with WFAN broadcaster Suzyn Waldman, stating, “It was a fun day until we heard about Mariano. Mariano hurt his Achilles. I don’t know what was going on. We all thought it was a hamstring, but I think it’s a little worse than that.” He added, “I think he’s at the hospital now. Unbelievable.”
This is not the first time Rivera has faced a significant injury. In May 2012, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City. Remarkably, he returned for his final season in 2013, concluding his career as the all-time saves leader with 652 saves and an impressive 42 postseason saves.
In 2019, Rivera made history by becoming the first player to be unanimously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving all 425 votes in the balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. His remarkable career includes helping the Yankees secure five World Series titles and seven American League pennants, solidifying his legacy in the sport.
This year marked Rivera's second appearance in the Old-Timers’ Game, a nostalgic event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 2000 championship team, the last Yankees squad to win three consecutive World Series titles. Rivera previously made headlines in 2019 when he hit an inside-the-park home run during the same event. This year, fans were treated to a special message from Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who introduced Rivera after his at-bat.
Before the event, Rivera expressed his intention to reach out to struggling reliever Devin Williams, showcasing his commitment to mentoring younger players even in his current situation. As Rivera prepares for surgery and recovery, the baseball community rallies around one of its most beloved figures, hoping for a swift and complete rehabilitation.
