Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera is the first player in the history of major league baseball to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by a unanimous vote. Rivera is considered the greatest closer of all time. He was the relief pitcher who came on in the last inning and “closed the door” on the other team with his devastating cut fastball. Even though the opposing players knew what he was going to throw, they could rarely get a hit off of him.

Mariano Rivera is a man of deep faith. He gives God the credit for giving him the cut fastball that enabled him to be so successful for so many years. Rivera also gives glory to Jesus as his Savior.

Rivera’s faith is so strong that he even praises God in his greatest professional failure. In the 2001 World Series, he gave up the run that cost the Yankees the series, but he pointed out that if the Yankees had won, his teammate Enrique Wilson would have been on a flight that ended up crashing and killing everyone on board. Since they didn’t win, Wilson took an earlier flight. “I am glad we lost the World Series,” Rivera said, “because it means that I still have a friend.”

Let’s all strive to have the kind of faith that is thankful to God, even in our failures.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”—Romans 8:28