Coglianese / NYRA Photo Photo

Mariano Rivera to be honored with special winner's circle ceremony on Friday at Saratoga Race Course

by Brian Bohl

The Capital and Central New York Regions will bestow multiple honors on former New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera this month.

On July 21, Rivera will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. But before his plaque goes up in the gallery, the New York Racing Association will honor Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader on Friday, hosting a special winner's circle ceremony following Race 3 at historic Saratoga Race Course.

The third race, named "The Mariano Rivera Hall of Fame" has an approximate post time of 2:10 p.m. Eastern. Following the race, Rivera will address the crowd during a special trackside ceremony, which will also include a video tribute featuring highlights from his illustrious career and a gift presentation from NYRA.

Before Friday's races, Rivera held a press conference adjacent to the silks room at the historic racetrack. The 49-year-old, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Yankees from 1995-2013, registered 652 regular-season saves, 51 more than the next-closest reliever in fellow Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, and won five World Series with the Bombers.

Rivera, considered one of MLB's all-time best postseason performers for his 8-1 record, 0.70 ERA and 42 saves in 96 career playoff appearances, became the first unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame earlier this year, receiving all 425 votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Below is a portion of his remarks to the media on Friday.

On returning to Saratoga: "It's amazing to be here and I'm proud and humbled. I get to see a lot of friends and this is very special."

On his unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame: "I don't consider myself better than anyone else. I'm privileged that I was able to play the game for so long and respect the game and do the best for my team. All the great players who are in the Hall of Fame... for me being unanimous, there's no words to describe it. It's amazing. From Babe Ruth to the current generation of baseball players... it's just something that I'll treasure. Being the first one, hopefully they'll be many others, just thank God for that."

On recalling his career: "I just wanted to play for a few years. I said, 'Lord, if you let me play a few years, I'll be happy. I'd make some money and go back to Panama, do some business, and I'd be happy with that. But New York City became my home. The few years I wanted to play happened to be 19 years. Those 19 years, 17 were closing. I had great moments. Overall, it was amazing because of what we accomplished as a team and what we gave New York Yankees fans was something special. I hope people won't forget that. Because we did something the old Yankees; the Mickey Mantle, the Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford and Joe DiMaggio's did for us. We were a special team."

On his thoughts about the area and Saratoga: "I played around here in Albany in 1994 [with the Double-A Albany-Colonie Yankees]. I liked the area, although I never came to Saratoga, I knew about Saratoga. Then I had the opportunity to come with some friends, and I liked it. Although I don't bet, I come to enjoy the races and have a good time. This is a great time and a great town with great people. They have a lot of fans here."

On his favorite career memories: "My greatest moment in baseball was just wearing the uniform. It wasn't pitching or the World Series. That's how much [I regard] the New York Yankees, because it's just their legacy and the majesty. I'm just honored and humbled. Coming from Panama and a small fishing town. To play in New York City and play for 19 seasons, it was amazing. There's no words to describe it because it's something special and deep to my heart."

On his post-baseball initiatives: "After baseball, we went to the ministry. My wife is a pastor and I'm a Christian. We built a church [in New Rochelle, New York]. The church was there already but was abandoned for like 30 years and we renovated the whole thing. Now, we congregate there. We also have our foundation, the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which works with youngsters to give scholarships for those less fortunate. We send those boys and girls to school. [Growing up], they told me I couldn't accomplish anything. I guarantee you they tell these boys and girls, too that they can't accomplish anything, so we inspire them through the foundation and give them the opportunity to finish school.

"I wanted to build a learning center for those underprivileged so we can help and teach them different ways and motivate them to be someone special. I remember where I was and I have the opportunity now to teach these boys and girls and allow them to dream big."