Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will need surgery after chasing a fly ball during the New York Yankees’ annual Old Timers Day game on Saturday. According to his agent, Fern Kuza, the 55-year-old legendary closer is expected to start running within a week.
During his only turn at bat, Rivera tagged former teammate Andy Pettitt and ran smoothly to the base. However, while running for a ball hit by Willie Randolph, he stepped forward and fell in shallow center field behind second base. This event marked the return of the Yankees’ Old Timers Day games for the first time since 2019.
Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens expressed his shock upon hearing the injury news, noting the severity might be worse than initially thought. Rivera had previously torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2012 but returned to play his final season in 2013, finishing his career as the all-time leader with 652 saves and 42 postseason saves.
Rivera, a 13-time All-Star, was the first unanimous inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 and was instrumental in helping the Yankees secure five World Series championships and seven American League pennants. This was his second appearance in the Old Timers game; he previously played in 2019.
The Old Timers Day celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Yankees’ 2000 Championship Team, the last to win three consecutive World Series titles. Clemens attended the event for the first time, delivering a brief message when Captain Derek Jeter was introduced after Rivera.
Before the game, Rivera mentioned his intention to speak with struggling reliever Devin Williams.
Report by Associated Press.
Fan Take: Mariano Rivera’s injury is a tough blow to the baseball community, reminding fans how fragile even legendary athletes can be. His legacy as one of the greatest closers ever means this news resonates deeply, underscoring the importance of celebrating and supporting our sports heroes both on and off the field.
