NEW YORK -- Former Rays player Ty Wigginton once returned to the bench after striking out against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and told his teammates: "He's tipping his pitches."
Of course, the remark drew laughter given the fact that Rivera threw a cutter on nearly every pitch. And he rode that pitch to baseball immortality. Rivera was honored with a Monument Park plaque prior to the Rays-Yankees game on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, which prompted Rays players to reflect on the all-time saves leader's amazing career.
Evan Longoria is one of the few players inside the Rays' clubhouse who batted against Rivera, and the third baseman allowed that he didn't remember the first time he faced him.