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Rivera adds to his legacy as a closer

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 30, 2009

NEW YORK - Mariano Rivera has seen all the histrionics by some closers. It's fine, he said, because it's part of their personalities.

Rivera has his own way of celebrating a big save for the Yankees.

"I go home," he said. "Simple as that. As quick as I finish, I go home."

Rivera went home Sunday night with his 500th save, getting four outs in a 4-2 victory over the Mets to become the second major-leaguer to reach the milestone. He also got his first career RBI with a bases-loaded walk against Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth.

"As far as I'm concerned, the success that this organization has had over the last 14 years, he's probably the biggest reason," Andy Pettitte said. "I don't think anybody gives enough credit to how hard it is to close games."

Rivera has saved 59 of Pettitte's 222 wins, a major-league record for a closer-starter combo and just one in a slew of staggering numbers from the right-hander's career.

ASTROS: Right-handed pitcher Brandon Backe was placed on waivers. The 31-year-old, who has no record with a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings this season, rejected an assignment to Triple-A. He likely will become a free agent and receive all of his $1.5 million salary after three days.

ATHLETICS: Rookie left-hander Josh Outman will have surgery on his pitching elbow today and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

BREWERS: Prospect Jeremy Jeffress was suspended for 100 games Monday after his third violation of baseball's minor-league program for drug abuse. He was Milwaukee's top pick in the 2006 amateur draft, the 16th selection.

CARDINALS: Khalil Greene was placed on the DL for the second time with social anxiety disorder after a 1-for-17 stretch with five strikeouts.

METS: Center fielder Carlos Beltran was in Colorado on Monday to have a second opinion on his ailing right knee. Beltran was consulting with noted knee specialist Richard Steadman at his Vail clinic about an aching bone bruise in his knee. .

RED SOX: Third baseman Mike Lowell had fluid drained from his ailing right hip Monday in Boston, and received an injection to relieve inflammation. The Red Sox will wait at least a couple of days to determine if he needs to be placed on the disabled list

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