BRONX, N.Y. — On this date in 1996, Mariano Rivera recorded his first of many saves. In fact, Mo would end up with 652 saves before it was all said and done.
While Rivera wasn’t the official closer at that point, fittingly he registered the save for starter Andy Pettitte.
Facing the California Angels, Rivera struck out ex-teammate Randy Velarde. After Rivera’s future teammate Mike Aldrete singled to left, Rivera induced a 4-6-3 double-play ball from Garret Anderson, as Andy Fox flipped to Derek Jeter, who fired to Tino Martinez to seal the 8-5 victory.