Mariano Rivera Throws 11 Pitches in Yankees Old-Timers' Day Return

Mariano Rivera returned to the mound at Yankee Stadium, facing four batters and recording an at-bat against Mike Stanton following his 2025 Achilles injury.

Mariano Rivera returned to the mound at Yankee Stadium on Saturday for the annual Yankees Old-Timers' Day, throwing 11 pitches to a quartet of hitters. The 56-year-old Hall of Fame closer faced Mickey Rivers, Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher, and Shane Spencer during the exhibition game. This appearance followed a year of recovery after Rivera tore his Achilles tendon while playing the outfield during the 2025 event. With former teammate Jorge Posada behind the plate, Rivera noted on the YES Network broadcast that his pitches were still moving and his physical reaction felt positive.

Beyond his pitching duties, Rivera stepped into the batter's box against Mike Stanton. He flew out to center field and successfully jogged to first base, a contrast to his 2019 appearance when he recorded an inside-the-park home run. The right-hander was the final player introduced during the ceremony, entering to Metallica’s "Enter Sandman" and doffing his cap to the crowd, a tradition previously reserved for Joe DiMaggio.

Injury History and Recovery Milestones

Rivera’s return follows a significant surgical recovery. During the previous year's Old-Timers' Day, he collapsed in shallow center field behind second base while Willie Randolph was at bat. That Achilles injury was not his first major leg ailment; in May 2012, Rivera tore the ACL in his right knee while shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City. Despite that setback, he returned for a final 2013 season to finish his career with 652 regular-season saves and 42 postseason saves, including 11 in the World Series.

The exhibition game format returned last season for the first time since 2019. In previous years, such as 2023 and 2024, the event was limited to a question-and-answer session hosted by Suzyn Waldman. Derek Jeter was absent for the second consecutive year, though the ceremony featured 11 members of the 1996 championship roster, including Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, and manager Joe Torre.

1996 World Series Legacy and Recent Stats

Rivera reflected on the 1996 World Series, where the Yankees were outscored 12-1 in the first two games against the Atlanta Braves at home. The team eventually won three straight games in Atlanta before clinching the title in Game 6 in New York. Rivera served as the setup man for John Wetteland during that 1996 run before assuming the closer role in 1997. He subsequently anchored the bullpen for three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000 and earned a final championship in 2009, where he threw the last pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6.

Since Rivera's 2009 title, the Yankees' only World Series appearance resulted in a five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. The 2026 Old-Timers' Day also highlighted current organizational connections, including first-time attendee David Weathers. His son, Ryan Weathers, currently holds a 5-7 record with a 3.79 ERA across 22 starts in his debut season with the Yankees.

Tributes and New Attendees

The event, which originated in 1947 with appearances by Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, opened with a tribute to radio announcer John Sterling, who passed away in May. The ceremony also honored the widows of Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer, and five-time manager Billy Martin. Joining the festivities for the first time were YES Network broadcasters Dellin Betances, Todd Frazier, and Adam Ottavino. Rivera expressed his satisfaction with his mobility during the event, stating that he felt good enough to be back on the field despite the difficulty of the rehabilitation process.