BRONX, N.Y. — On this date in 2011, Mariano Rivera made some more history with the New York Yankees. In a 7-3 victory at Yankee Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays, Rivera became the first pitcher to appear in 1,000 games for the same team.
It was a non-save situation but Rivera worked a scoreless ninth to secure the victory.
In his career, Rivera would appear in 1,115 games. Among pitchers, that ranks Mo first all-time in club history and fourth in all of baseball. Rivera slots behind former teammates Jesse Orosco and Mike Stanton, as well as John Franco. It’s even more impressive when one considers how Rivera broke into the big leagues in 1995 at age 25 and wasn’t a fulltime closer until 1997.
The mark places Rivera 593 games ahead of Dave Righetti, who places second in franchise history. Of recent vintage, David Robertson is third with 501 games. Had he not signed with the New York Mets, Dellin Betances would’ve been the active leader with 358. With the retirement of CC Sabathia and his 307 games, Chad Green is your active leader in the clubhouse with 169 appearances among pitchers.
With relievers being fickle from year to year and the elimination of loogy’s, I don’t see this mark being surpassed.
