Mariano Rivera was awarded with the American League Player of the Week honors by Major League Baseball, along with Jermaine Dye.
Via MLB.com’s announcement:
Rivera did not allow a run and struck out six batters in his three appearances. Against the Mets on Sunday, he became the second pitcher in Major League history, and the first in the American League, to record 500 saves. Only Trevor Hoffman of the Brewers has more career saves. He has 571.
This award doesn’t do justice to what 500 saves mean in baseball. As Buster Olney said (approximately), “It classifies a reliever on the highest level. It’s like hitting 700 homers.”
Despite Hoffman’s record, Rivera is still the top dog among closers.
