The greatest closer in baseball history. Period. End of Story.

Arguably the best closer in baseball of all-time. Has been a pitcher on the New York Yankees his whole career, which is now 10 years. He is a.k.a Mr. Automatic because when he comes into a game with a lead, the game is over. He has pitched in 586 games and 728.1 innings. He has 336 saves and a 2.43 ERA (Earned Run Average).

a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. Born in Panama City, Panama, his rookie season in the Major Leagues was 1995, in which he made a limited number of appearances. In 1996, he served primarily as a set-up man for the closer John Wetteland. During that season, if the Yankees were leading after six innings, they were nearly assured of victory due to the stellar pitching of both relievers. Despite playing in a position that rarely gets respect, Rivera still managed to come in third for the Cy Young voting, behind twenty-game winners Pat Hentgen and teammate Andy Pettitte, respectively.

When Wetteland left the team following that season (in which they won the World Series), Rivera became the Yankees' closer and has remained so ever since. He has been perhaps the most consistent, dependable relief pitcher in the Major Leagues during his tenure as a closer for the Yankees. Rivera has been especially overpowering in the postseason, in which his lifetime earned run average, under 1 run per nine innings pitched, is among the best ever. His contribution to the general success of the Yankees since 1996, including four World Series championships, has been significant. However, in recent years his postseason performance has been a little less consistent, particularly in the 2001 World Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the infamous 2004 playoff collapse against the Boston Red Sox. His troubles with the Red Sox (although he continues to dominate against other teams) h...