Mariano Rivera On The Key To New York Yankees Winning World Series, Details Latest Business Venture

Mariano Rivera said the key for the New York Yankees to win a World Series is "pitching" and staying "healthy. " (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) Getty Images It's not an overstatement to say Mariano Rivera was once the most feared pitcher in baseball. The five-time World Series champion played 19 seasons for the New York Yankees and starred on the biggest stage in the biggest media market.

Rivera not only led the Yankees to its last golden era, he played his best in the postseason in New York, registering a record 0. 70 ERA and 42 saves in the playoffs. Rivera was a 13-time All-Star and is known as the game's greatest closer, winning the 1999 World Series MVP award after finishing the season with 43 consecutive scoreless innings in the regular season and postseason combined.

You can go on and on about listing Rivera's accomplishments, but all that needs to be said about his legacy and his impact is that he's the only player to be unanimously voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He became the game's greatest closer and one of the best pitchers ever with just one deadly pitch through his 19 seasons -- a cutter. "No no, there's no one," said Rivera if there's a pitcher in today's game that throws a cutter like his.

It's hard to find a baseball player or an athlete that's more respected than Rivera. The 56-year-old exuded class and sportsmanship during nearly two decades of playing in the Bronx (1995-2013) and was still an All-Star and won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award during his final season in baseball. At the time of his retirement, Rivera posted a 2.