Legendary Yankees player experiences Achilles tear during Old-Timers' match
Mariano Rivera, the legendary Hall of Fame closer, suffered an unfortunate injury during the Old-Timers' Day game at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The 55-year-old former Yankees player collapsed after hitting a single, and it was later confirmed that he had torn his Achilles tendon [1][3].
Rivera, who retired after the 2013 season, is renowned for his impressive career with the Yankees. He holds the record for the most saves in baseball history with 652, spending his entire 19-year career with the team. This injury occurred more than a decade after his retirement during an exhibition game honouring past Yankees players and their 2000 World Series title anniversary [1][3].
The injury took place while Rivera was playing in the outfield. Initially, it was thought to be a hamstring injury, but further examination revealed the more severe Achilles tendon tear [1]. Rivera's agent confirmed that surgery would be required [1].
The timeline for recovery is currently unknown, but it will likely involve surgical repair followed by a lengthy period of rest, physical therapy, and gradual return to activity. Given that Rivera is well past his playing career age, the recovery process will follow standard protocol for Achilles tendon tears [1][3].
Despite the injury's impact on his post-retirement activities, it has no bearing on his MLB playing career. Rivera had already retired over 10 years earlier, making this injury an unfortunate accident during a ceremonial game rather than a setback for his professional legacy [1][3].
Roger Clemens shared the news of Rivera's injury on a live WFAN broadcast. Clemens suggested that Rivera's Achilles might have popped during a play in center field [2].
In 2012, Rivera missed the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, which he sustained while shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City [3]. However, he returned to the Yankees for one final campaign in 2013.
Rivera's injury casts a sombre note over the Old-Timers' Day game, which was the first to be held in the Bronx since 2019. Despite this, Rivera's career achievements continue to stand as a testament to his greatness in the world of baseball [1][3][2].
Meanwhile, the racing world is gearing up for the $10,000 to win Mr Supermodified race in Oswego on Saturday [4]. Matt Sheppard, on the other hand, has been making waves, winning four feature races and $25,000 this week [4].
Rivera had planned to speak with Yankees reliever Devin Williams before the game on Saturday [5]. However, the injury has undoubtedly overshadowed these plans, as the baseball community rallies around a legend in his time of need.
Sources: [1] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story//id/34564766/mariano-rivera-injures-achilles-tendon-old-timers-day-game [2] https://www.nbcsports.com/newyork/mlb/mariano-rivera-injures-achilles-tendon-old-timers-day-game [3] https://www.mlb.com/news/mariano-rivera-injures-achilles-tendon-during-old-timers-day-game [4] https://www.oswegocountynewsnow.com/sports/supermodified-racing/supermodified-racing-news/4210117-supermodified-racing-news-matt-sheppard-wins-four-feature-races-25000-this-week [5] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story//id/34564766/mariano-rivera-injures-achilles-tendon-old-timers-day-game
The injury Mariano Rivera suffered during the Old-Timers' Day game at Yankee Stadium impacted his involvement in the game, as he had planned to speak with Yankees reliever Devin Williams before the contest [5]. Despite this unfortunate event, Rivera's career achievements, including his record for the most saves in baseball history with MLB, stand as a testament to his greatness in the world of sports, particularly baseball [1][3].
