Senate Resolution No. 1403

BY: Senator MAYER

CONGRATULATING Mariano Rivera upon the occasion of
his election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
in Cooperstown, New York, on July 21, 2019

WHEREAS, It is with great pride that this Legislative Body commends
those exceptional athletes who represented the State of New York and
brought honor to the game of professional baseball, distinguishing
themselves through notable achievement and thereby representing this
great Empire State with exceptional dignity and determination; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Mariano Rivera upon the occasion of his election into the
National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the Annual
Induction Ceremony on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at the Clark Sports Center
in Cooperstown; and

WHEREAS, Mariano Rivera, the career saves leader whose elegant
efficiency helped the Yankees win five World Series, became the first
player ever elected unanimously to the Baseball Hall of Fame; he was
named on all 425 of the ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers'
Association of America; and

WHEREAS, Born on November 29, 1969, Mariano Rivera was a
Panamanian-American professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons
in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013;
his last day on the mound was on September 26, 2013, at Yankee Stadium
when he pitched 1 1/3 innings with no hits against the Tampa Bay Rays;
and

WHEREAS, Mariano Rivera, affectionately known to many as Mo or the
Sandman, was a key starter in the Yankees' 1996 championship run and
took over as the team's closer in 1997, the year he discovered his
devastating cut fastball, which broke hundreds of bats with its hard,
late movement into the hands of left-handers; and

WHEREAS, At the end of his exceptional 18-year career with the New
York Yankees, Mariano Rivera had recorded 952 games finished, 652 saves
with a 2.21 ERA, the lowest in baseball history for anyone born after
1889 (and with a minimum of 1,000 major-league innings); and

WHEREAS, Mariano Rivera was also a talented postseason performer; he
was named both the 1999 World Series and 2003 American League MVP, and
holds several postseason records, including lowest ERA of 0.70 and most
saves, 42, which matches his uniform number which has been officially
retired; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional athlete was recognized for his athletic
prowess and talent through two awards named after him, the American
League Reliever of the Year and the Best Designated Hitter; and

WHEREAS, A 13-time All-Star, Mariano Rivera was the recipient of
five American League Rolaids Relief Man Awards and three Delivery Man of
the Year Awards, and finished in the top three in voting for the
American League Cy Young Award four times; and

WHEREAS, A resident of New Rochelle, New York, Mariano Rivera has
been involved in numerous worthy causes and organizations through the
Mariano Rivera Foundation; in 2014, he renovated a 107-year old,
long-vacant church for his wife's ministry, Refuge of Hope; and

WHEREAS, A true humanitarian and a devout Christian, Mariano Rivera
also helped the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library raise funds
for a new bookstore, offered a scholarship to the College of New
Rochelle and helped to distribute backpacks and school supplies to local
children; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Clara, and their
three children, Jafet, Mariano Jr., and Jaziel, all of whom have shown
him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, A consummate professional and regarded as one of the best
closing pitchers of all time, Mariano Rivera's exemplary performances
for various baseball teams were reflective of his dedication,
determination and personal commitment; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his outstanding athletic
career, Mariano Rivera stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor,
and earned the respect and admiration of his coaches, teammates and
opponents; and

WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Mariano Rivera was and continues to be a
renowned role model in the sport of professional baseball; his character
and achievements stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who
would aspire to success; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mariano Rivera upon the occasion of his election into the
National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on July 21,
2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mariano Rivera.