mariano rivera

Now that save No. 602 is behind him, Mariano Rivera is happy to step back out of the spotlight and work on another big number: six.

Despite five World Series championships in 17 seasons with the New York Yankees, Rivera has never come to enjoy individual attention.

"You know me, I'm not like that," Rivera said.

Mariano Rivera stood by himself, in the center of the diamond at Yankee Stadium. For once, the great closer wasn't sure what to do next.

So he smiled, blew a kiss to the crowd, and then doffed his cap as cheers washed over him following the record 602nd save of his career.

"Oh, my God, for the first time in my career, I'm on the mound alone," Rivera said.

Move over, Trevor Hoffman. Mariano Rivera now has the most saves in MLB history. Rivera earned his 602nd career save, a historic feat by the best closer ever, writes Joe Posnanski.

Mariano Rivera earned his 600th save, moving within one of Trevor Hoffman's major league record, by closing out the New York Yankees' 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.

Mariano Rivera struck out Adrian Gonzalez with the bases loaded for the final out and Russell Martin hit a go-ahead double in the seventh inning Thursday night that sent the New York Yankees past the Boston Red Sox 4-2 despite stranding 12 runners in the first six innings.

The New York Yankees were on the verge of leaving Boston with the division lead and a chance to salvage what had been a lost season against the Red Sox.

Then Mariano Rivera blew a save in the ninth inning, and David Ortiz started another rally in the 10th to give Boston a 3-2 victory and put the Red Sox back on top of the AL East.

With the AL East lead on the line, Mariano Rivera couldn't close the door. The Red Sox pulled out a thrilling win, clinched the season series and gained something else, writes Joe Lemire.