rewrite this title Yankees legend suffers major injury at team’s Old-Timers’ game

The New York Yankees brought back their Old-Timers’ game for the first time since 2019, and it did not go well for one of the team’s greatest all-time players. Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera suffered a torn Achilles while trying to chase down a fly ball.

Rivera hit one time in the game and delivered a single off of former teammate Andy Pettite before injuring himself in the field. 

Rivera’s agent said surgery will take place this week (via the Associated Press). 

It is not the first time Rivera has suffered a major injury while playing in the outfield.

He tore his ACL during the 2012 season while shagging fly balls during batting practice and missed the remainder of that season.

Rivera is one of the most decorated relief pitchers — and Yankees — in league history, finishing his career as Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader (652) while also having the honor of being the only unanimous Hall of Fame selection. He was also a part of five World Series-winning teams with the Yankees, including their back-to-back-to-back championship teams in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Saturday’s Old-Timers’ game celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 2000 team. 

While several teams have days to honor former players, and while some have the occasional game involving former players, the Yankees are the only team that routinely holds an actual game. It is typically one of the highlights of the regular season. 

Before the game, Rivera said he had planned to speak to the Yankees’ current closer, Devin Williams, given his recent struggles coming out of the team’s bullpen.