“I see the hitter when he's moved in the box, like when he's moved closer to the plate or changed his stance. I see when the batter has moved his feet, and then I make my own adjustment.” Source: New York Magazine (Buster Olney, 06/28/2004)

"I'm not used to seeing the ball go wherever she wants. As a pitcher, I like to be — I don't want to say perfect, but I want to know what the ball is going to do." Source: Daily News (Sam Borden, 03/21/2005)

I haven't been (on the mound) for a long time. That's the major reason why the control is not there. But I don't care about the control right now. I know that will be fine." Source: Daily News (Sam Borden, 03/21/2005)

"I think the good Lord is a Yankee." Source: (Widely Attributed)

"A summer afternoon of baseball ought to be nothing if not relaxing, and no other player can instill calm in his team's fans as reliably as Mariano Rivera, the game's dominant closer and arguably the best relief pitcher of all time." Columnist Buster Olney in New York Magazine (06/28/2004)

"Reminded me of myself a long time ago." - Dwight Gooden (Alexis Lyons, BaseballLibrary.com)

"Without question we're talking about the best reliever, in my opinion, in the history of baseball. This guy has become branded with the Yankee logo. People are going to remember this man for so long for what he's done." - New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman

"He's the best I've ever been around. Not only the ability to pitch and perform under pressure, but the calm he puts over the clubhouse. He's very important for us because he's a special person." - New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre

"He's very special. He loves the competition. He's always responded real well in big games. I think when you talk about his career, the reason he'll go to the Hall of Fame is all about the postseason. He's been second to none." - New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre

"I call Mo 'the Equalizer.' I mean, I can't tell you how comforting it felt to have him come in when I left the game." - Pitcher Roger Clemens

"He's the most mentally tough person I've ever played with." - New York Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter

"One acorn does not make for a Fall (on Mariano's early struggles in 2005)." - early struggles in 2005)." - George Steinbrenner in The Front Page (April 8, 2005)

"To me, he's the greatest modern day weapon I have seen or played against. He has been the heart and soul of the New York Yankees dynasty." - Alex Rodriguez on YES Network (May 28, 2004 post game interview)

"When Rivera takes the mound, the other team “is sitting in the dugout thinking, ‘We’ve got no chance. It’s over.’ This guy walks into the game, and they are done.” - Rich Gossage in New York Magazine (06/28/2004)

“When he throws it, you think it’s straight, and the next thing you know, it’s on your thumbs.” - St. Louis Infielder Tony Womack in New York Magazine (06/28/2004)

Quotes From & About Mariano Rivera