Mariano Rivera is still the last pitcher to close out a World Series championship for the Yankees, a decade after they last won a title in 2009.
The Hall of Famer was back at Yankee Stadium on Thursday to throw out the first pitch before the season-opener against Baltimore, and Rivera admitted he was surprised it’s been that long since the team captured a championship.
“It’s time,” said Rivera, who will be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in July. “We’re due. It’s time to get No. 28. I believe in the team.