MLB icon Mariano Rivera was hospitalized after suffering an injury at the New York Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day game on Saturday.
The 55-year-old’s former teammate, Roger Clemens, revealed the stunning news after the festivities at Yankee Stadium, where the Bronx Bombers beat the Houston Astros.
New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera acknowledges fans during the Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day ceremony before a game against the Houston Astros on Saturday[/caption]
The 55-year-old Rivera walks back to the dugout during the first inning of the event[/caption]
Clemens appeared on the Yankees’ radio broadcast with Suzyn Waldman and Dave Sims.
During the appearance, he shared that Rivera suffered an Achilles injury during Old-Timers’ Day, which honored the 25th anniversary of the 2000 World Series title-winning team.
“It was a fun day until we just heard about Mariano,” Clemens told New York’s WFAN.
“Mariano hurt his Achilles.
“I don’t know what was going on.
“We all thought it was a hamstring, but I think it’s a little worse than that.”
Sims then asked if Rivera heard a ‘pop.’
“I think so,” Clemens answered. “I think he’s at the hospital.”
The Yankees later confirmed that Rivera indeed tore his Achilles and will undergo surgery to repair the injury next week.
In his only at-bat, Rivera singled off ex-teammate Andy Pettitte.
But during an-bat by Willie Randolph, Rivera took a step and went down to the ground in shallow center field behind second base.
It was the Yankees’ first Old-Timers’ Day game since 2019.
Rivera was the second player to get hurt in the event.
In 2017, former teammate and current YES Network analyst Paul O’Neill strained his calf while running to first base.
Rivera waves to fans during Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium[/caption]
This isn’t Rivera’s first significant ACL injury.
Back in May of 2012, as a player, Rivera tore the ACL in his right knee while shagging fly balls in batting practice before a road game against the Kansas City Royals.
He returned for the final season of his career in 2013 and finished as baseball’s career saves leader (652).
Rivera became the first player to be unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 by receiving all 425 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Rivera has the most saves all-time in the regular season, with 625, and postseason (42)[/caption]
He helped the Yankees win five World Series titles.
