Rivera, second on all-time saves list

Mauel Rivera has 36 saves in 37 opportunities this season. The Panamanian pitcher now trails only San Diego Padres Trevor Hoffman for list’s top spot.

AFP.

NEW YORK. New York Yankees closer, the Panamanian Mariano Rivera notched the 479th save of his career, surpassing Lee Smith for second on baseball's all-time list.

Rivera, who was born in Puerto Caimito (La Chorrera) and signed for the Yankees in 1995 after having played short-stop for West Panama, finished off the Yankees' 4-2 victory over the ChicagoSox on Monday to record his 36th save in 37 opportunities this season.

He now trails only San Diego Padres righthander Trevor Hoffman - who had 552 entering Monday - for the list's top spot.

“I'm so happy for Mo,” said Yankees star Derek Jeter. “That's what everybody should be talking about - his consistency throughout the years.

He deserves everything he gets.”

“A lot of time, he goes unnoticed in terms of the attention because people take it for granted. But we definitely don't take it for granted. I'm happy I was here to see all of them.” Jeter couldn't reach a milestone of his own on Monday. He remained tied with Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig for the most hits at Yankee Stadium. Every time Jeter stepped to the plate, he was greeted with thousands of camera flashes from fans trying to capture the moment. The Yankees posted their third win in a row over a division leader, and denied theSox a chance to boost their lead in the American League Central. TheSox remained one and a half games ahead of Minnesota atop the division.

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