TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Saying he made the decision before arriving at spring training, Mariano Rivera announced Saturday that he will retire at the end of the season and hopes to cap his record-setting career by winning another World Series with the New York Yankees.
Rivera was surrounded by family and teammates when he made the announcement during a news conference at the team’s spring training complex.
The 43-year-old has a clear vision of how he wants his career to end.
”The last game I hope will be throwing the last pitch in the World Series,” he said. ””Winning the World Series, that would be my ambition.”
Rivera holds the career saves record with 608 and has helped the Yankees win five World Series titles. He is regarded as the greatest closer of all time, whether he’s throwing his cut fastball in the regular season or postseason.
With the entire Yankees’ team looking on – including longtime teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte – Rivera said he knew the time was right for his decision.
”I have just a few bullets left,” he said.
Rivera missed most of last year after tearing his right knee while shagging flyballs during batting practice in early May. Rivera said he would have retired at the end of last season if he had not gotten hurt.
”I didn’t want to leave like that,” he said. ”I felt like I wanted to give everything.”
He also said he wanted to give Yankees fans around the major leagues a chance to see him one more time, knowing this will be the end.
Rivera’s wife and two children were by his side for the news conference. He began by playfully thanking the Yankees for giving him a new contract for two additional years through 2015 – which would break a team policy of not negotiating new deals before the old ones expire.
”It’s not too easy when you come to a decision like this,” Rivera said, turning serious. ”After this year, I will be retired. … Now you’re hearing it from me. It’s official now.”
While others have proclaimed him the best closer in baseball history, Rivera wouldn’t put that label on himself.
”I don’t feel myself, the greatest of all time. I’m a team player,” he said. ”I would love to be remembered as a player who was always there for others.”
Rivera said he will miss being on the field but not the long travel and many nights in hotels. He will be the last player to wear No. 42 – retired for Jackie Robinson by Major League Baseball in 1997 but allowed to remain for players using it at the time.
”Being the last player to wear No. 42 is a privilege,” he said.
Rivera has not pitched in an exhibition game this spring training. He usually goes at his own pace in camp, working in the bullpen and throwing in simulated games – while avoiding bus trips to opponents’ spring ballparks.
The 12-time All-Star has earned a record 42 saves in the postseason while putting up an 0.70 ERA. He began his major league career in 1995 and has spent his entire time with the Yankees.
Rivera made just nine appearances last season before he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on May 3, and he had surgery on June 12. Rivera returned to his native Panama earlier this week on a personal matter.
As for the future, Rivera wants to take time off after this season to spend with his family. He envisions himself working in baseball, perhaps with minor leaguers.
”I definitely will be involved in the game some way, some aspect of the game,” he said.
