The greatest relief pitcher of all-time has announced his pending retirement.
Mariano Rivera, who is returning to the mound in 2013 after tearing his ACL while shagging fly balls last year, confirmed at a new conference today that he will call it quits following the upcoming season.
Said Rivera, 43, this morning at the Yankees’ spring training complex, surrounded by teammates and club officials:
“After this year, I will retire… I thank God I was able to play baseball so many years.”
Rivera is baseball’s all-time leader in saves. He owns five World Series rings and a career ERA of 2.21.