Rivera adds to legacy as elite closer

CLOSING TIME: New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, above, delivers in the ninth inning of the Yankees’ 4-2 victory Sunday over the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York. It was Rivera’s 500th career save, second all-time behind Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman.

NEW YORK - Mariano Rivera has seen all the histrionics by some closers. It’s fine, he said, because it’s part of their personalities.

Rivera has his own way of celebrating a big save for the Yankees.

“I go home,” he said. “Simple as that. As quick as I finish, I go home.”

Rivera went home Sunday night with his 500th save, getting four outs in a 4-2 victory over the Mets to become the second major leaguer to reach the milestone. He also got his first career RBI with a bases-loaded walk against Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth.

“I don’t know if we’...

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July, 2009