Mariano Rivera
MLB will name an award after legendary Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera and award will be given to the best reliever in the American League. Getty

Mariano Rivera, legendary Yankees’ closer and all-time saves leader, retired last season after having another epic season with the New York Yankees. He finished his career with 652 saves, second on the list is Trevor Hoffman with 601 career saves. He is also part of the “Core Four” composed by Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and himself.

Major League Baseball announced today that a new tradition starts now and that is an award that will be annually presented to each league’s best relief pitcher that has been named after the two best reliever to ever play the game. The American League’s best reliever will receive an award named after Mariano Rivera and the National League’s best will receive one named after Trevor Hoffman. These two greats are No. 1 and No. 2 in career saves and they spent their entire career pitching in their respective leagues. Mariano played his entire career for the Yankees while Trevor Hoffman played the majority of his career for the San Diego Padres.

This award will replace the Delivery Man of the Year which was given to one reliever, now they will be awarded per league. Commissioner Bud Selig commented and said, "Both Mariano and Trevor represented our sport magnificently on and off the mound and earned the universal respect of our fans in their legendary careers. I believe it is appropriate to redefine an existing award in honor of their contributions to baseball, and I am delighted that many of the most decorated relievers in history will select the winners."

Nine voters will rank the top three pitchers in each league based only on regular season performance. The voters that will join Rivera and Hoffman include Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith, John Franco and Billy Wagner.

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