Iconic Athlete #4: Mariano Rivera

Considered by many to be the greatest relief pitcher of all time, Panamanian-born Mariano Rivera brought a strong sense of spirituality and maturity, as well as incredible skill, to every game. One of the true legends of baseball, Rivera broke over 35 major league records throughout the course of his career and has a significant roster of awards and honors, including a Babe Ruth Award and five World Series titles. An iconic closer, this solid, religious man would have been a mechanic instead of a baseball player, if not for a simple twist of fate. This is how it all changed.

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Early Life

Mariano Rivera grew up in a poor, Panamanian fishing village and was born into a close-knit, loving family. Active and athletic, he loved soccer and baseball, but like the other kids in the village he had no sports equipment to play with. Baseball was played on the beach with makeshift mitts made from milk cartons and bats made from tree branches. As a teenager, Rivera's first love was soccer, but multiple knee and ankle injuries made it hard for him to play. He shifted his focus to baseball, but considered it more of a hobby than a vocation. Rivera tried following in his father's footsteps as a fisherman, but a series of accidents swayed him away from that lifestyle. His aspiration was to become a mechanic, but he continued to play baseball just for fun.
 
Rivera joined a local amateur team as a shortstop, but serendipitously was asked to replace a no-luck pitcher who was having a bad game. Without training, and much to his own astonishment, his pitching was considered extraordinary. At the time, Rivera speculated that his skill was a direct result of the years he had spent hauling sardine nets and strengthening his arms on his father's boat. Herb Raybourn, a New York Yankees scout, was invited to watch Rivera play, which resulted in a contract offer. Ironically, Raybourn had seen Rivera play shortstop the year before and passed on him.

A New Life

Able to speak only Spanish, Rivera left home for the first time in his life and headed to the United States. Once here, he played for a minor league affiliate of the Yankees, the Gulf Coast League Yankees, and was considered a long shot by management. His skills grew, and eventually so did his rep -- and standing -- in the Yankees' organization. After some rough starts he hit a snag, possibly as a result of a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. He was almost traded to the Detroit Tigers for David Wells when, according to the highly-religious Rivera, God intervened. Noting an astonishing and sudden increase in the right-hander's velocity, the Yankees opted to keep Rivera on the team.

A Closer Is Born

His second season in the majors brought a pivotal change. Yankees manager Joe Torre started shifting Rivera into the closer role by having him handle the seventh and eighth innings, while John Wetteland handled the ninth. The twosome proved extraordinary, and the Yankees went on to post an astonishing 70-3 record when leading after six innings. Rivera's star was rising. Wetteland signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent the following season and the Panamanian starter-turned-closer was on his way to baseball royalty. He would remain the Yankees' closer for 17 years. Rivera retired from the game in 2013.

A Man Of Faith Who Works For The Community

Married to his childhood sweetheart and living in Rye, New York, Rivera is the father to three sons, one of whom was drafted by the Yankees in 2014. Deeply religious, Rivera's Pentecostal faith is a cornerstone of his life. Many of his current philanthropic endeavors center upon those who are less fortunate. The Mariano Rivera Foundation works hard to provide activities and healthcare for at-risk and impoverished youths in the New York area. Rivera continues to work through his foundation to help those in need.

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Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.