Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees closer, is just two saves away from the major league saves record.
Since breaking into the majors 16 years ago, Rivera, 41, has become the dominant closer in baseball with 599 saves. One more and he becomes only the second pitcher to pile up 600 saves and two more ties him with Trevor Hoffman, who retired last year after an 18-year career with Florida, San Diego and Milwaukee. Three saves and the record is his alone, UPI.com reported.
Rivera and the American League East-leading Yankees are in Seattle for a series against the Mariners.
Teammate Jorge Posada calls Rivera "the best ever."
"I keep saying the same thing over and over again, and it sounds repetitious every time I talk about Mo, but it's true," Posada said recently. "There's nobody [who's] ever going to get close to what he's been able to achieve, because there's nobody better. It's just that simple."
"I think it takes probably most of the arguments away that he's the greatest closer of all-time," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Wednesday's series finale against the Mariners. "I'm not taking anything away from Trevor Hoffman and all the guys but I think you have to look at his postseason work as well, and once he passes Trevor Hoffman, it's hard to say he's not."
