Looking back at Mariano Rivera’s amazing career

Former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera became the first player in Major League Baseball history to receive a unanimous vote to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Friends and family surrounded the former Yankees closer as the news came on Tuesday evening. While it was no surprise the iconic Yankees pitcher would be inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame, the shocking part of the story was that he received 100 percent of the votes to get in.

When a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) shared the news and everyone was overwhelmed with joy and excitement about the news.

VIDEO: Mariano Rivera reacts to Hall of Fame news

Ken Griffey Jr. received 99.32 percent of the total number of votes when he was inducted into the hall of fame in 2016. Former pitchers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan both received 98.8 percent of the votes in 1992 and 1999 respectively, according to the professional baseball statistics site baseballreference.com

Mariano Rivera career stats

Mariano Rivera played for the New York Yankees for his entire career from 1995 to 2013. Rivera entered the league when he was 25 and retired at 43.

Total games played— 1115
ERA — 2.21
Saves — 652
Innings pitched — 1283.2
Strikeouts — 1173

Mariano Rivera’s first save

Mariano Rivera recorded 652 saves in his 17-year career with the New York Yankees, making him the MLB record holder, but you might be wondering when did Mariano Rivera get his first save.

On May 17, 1996, Mariano Rivera recorded is very first save against the California Angels. With one out in the top of the ninth inning, left fielder Garret Anderson hit into a double play to end the game. The Yankees beat the Angels 8 – 5 and Rivera earned his first career save.

Mariano Rivera’s final game at Yankee Stadium

Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite hug Rivera before leaving his final appearance on the mound at Yankee Stadium.

Mariano Rivera: best MLB moments of his career

As we celebrate the great Yankees closer, here’s a look back at some of the greatest moments of his career to show why his unanimous vote into the Baseball Hall of Fame is well deserved. Watch the video below and click through the gallery to see some of Rivera’s most memorable moments in pictures.