Mariano Rivera’s Shocking Injury in Yankees Old-Timers’ Game Raises Alarms for Baseball Legend’s Future

This past Saturday, the baseball world caught a sharp gasp when none other than Mariano Rivera, the iconic Yankees reliever and Hall of Fame legend, went down with a torn Achilles during the much-anticipated Old-Timers’ game — the first since 2019. At 55, Rivera was chasing a routine fly ball when the injury struck, halting what should have been a celebratory afternoon filled with nostalgia and camaraderie. The news hit hard, especially hearing from Roger Clemens, a fellow titan of the mound, who described the scene unfolding as “unbelievable.” Rivera, known for his record-setting 652 career saves and his indelible mark on five championship runs, is slated for surgery soon, marking a tough chapter in a career already dotted with resilience. This event, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Yankees’ unforgettable 2000 World Series title, suddenly took a sobering turn. As we all rally behind Mariano, eager for his recovery, the sport feels a bit less bright without his presence on that field. LEARN MORE

Saturday’s Old-Timers’ event was meant to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 2000 World Series champions, the last team to win three straight World Series titles. Rivera was a part of all three World Series victories.

Rivera also played in the Yankees’ Old-Timer game during the 2019 season. He hit an inside-the-park homer that year.

“It was a fun day until we heard about Mariano. Mariano hurt his Achilles,” seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens told WFAN broadcaster Suzyn Waldman. “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. I think he’s at the hospital now. Unbelievable.”

Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera suffered a torn Achilles during the New York Yankees Old-Timers’ game on Saturday, ESPN reported. Rivera, who is 55, was going after a fly ball when he suffered the injury.

“Can’t do nothing about it,” Rivera said Saturday morning. “Once it’s done, it’s done. Just learn from it, move on and be confident. You have to be confident in yourself. If you’re not confident in yourself, you’re playing the wrong sport.”

Rivera holds the all-time record for career saves with 652 across his 19 seasons played. He retired in 2013 and later became the first unanimous induction into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Rivera hit a single in his lone at bat of the day off of former teammate Andy Pettitte. Later on during an at-bat for Willie Randolph, Rivera was attempted to field the ball but fell down in shallow center field.

Mariano Rivera was the second player to get hurt in the event since 2017. Eight years ago, former outfielder and current YES Network analyst Paul O’Neill strained a calf running to first base.

Before the event, Rivera said he intended to speak with struggling reliever Devin Williams, who allowed three runs in the 10th inning Friday. He has allowed nine runs in his last five appearances and 28 earned runs this year, two more than 2022-24 combined.

Rivera was a relief pitcher for the Yankees from 1995-2013. He was a 13-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, including winning the World Series MVP in 1999.

It’s also not the first major injury for Rivera himself. The former relief pitcher also suffered a torn ACL in May of 2012 while fielding fly balls during a practice. That in mind, it’s extra painful to hear this news and we’re certainly wishing all the best to the Hall of Fame in his recovery.

According to his agent, Rivera is expected to have surgery within the next week. This was the first time that the Yankees held the Old-Timer event since the 2019 season.