Not many MLB players can laugh off a season-ending ACL injury, but Mariano Rivera isn’t like most baseball players.
Rivera’s torn ACL occurred at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City last year when the legendary closer was shagging fly balls. The Yankees returned to KC on Friday and New York bullpen coach Mike Harkey had some fun by drawing a Rivera-shaped chalk outline on the warning track. A sign was also posted reading “NO ‘MO’ ZONE.”
Rivera laughed and posed next to the chalk outline, but quickly ran off. Rivera has continued to shag fly balls this season. He’s returned to his usual dominance in his return, collecting a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 13 saves and 12 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.
Check out Rivera goofing around at the site of his injury in the video below.
