Part 1/9:

The Legacy of Mariano Rivera: The Greatest Closer of All Time

A Humble Beginning in Panama

Mariano Rivera, born on November 29, 1969, in a small fishing town in Panama, began his life far removed from the bright lights of Major League Baseball (MLB). Raised in a setting with no electricity or running water, young Mariano spent much of his childhood fishing alongside his father, a boat captain. Despite the challenging conditions, he found solace in sports, particularly baseball. At the age of 18, he finally got the chance to pitch for a local team, and in a surprising debut, he threw seven innings without conceding a single run. This performance led to his signing with the New York Yankees just two weeks later, marking the beginning of an incredible journey.