Mariano Rivera Highlights

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10/21/10, "When Mark Teixeira was asked today about the impact Mariano Rivera has on an opposing team, the injured Yankee first baseman saw the interviewer's question and raised the stakes of his answer.

• "To me, he's the greatest pitcher of all time,'' Teixeira said.

Noticing the raised eyebrows in front of him, Tex amended that assessment, but only slightly.

"Well, obviously he's the greatest relief pitcher of all–time,'' Teixeira said. "But with what he’s done in the post-season, his post-season numbers, how he closes the door in so many tight games,

• you can make an argument he’s the best of all time.

When he’s on your side late in the game, you feel pretty good about it.

• There's definitely people who will say a reliever can’t be the greatest pitcher of all time but you look at his body of work winning championships, putting up crazy numbers,

I’ll make that argument with anybody.''

Asked about the feeling of hopelessness Rivera inspires in opposing hitters, Teixeira cited his own limited history of facing Mo as a mamber of the Texas Rangers and L.A. Angels.

• "I hated facing Mo as an opponent,'' he said. "I think I got one hit off him, maybe drew one walk. Every other time was a broken bat or a strikeout.''

For the record, Teixeira batted .111 vs. Rivera, with one single in nine at-bats, one walk and two strikeouts."

• "Tex: None better than Mo," Wallace Matthews, ESPN blog

Labels: Teixeira: Rivera the greatest pitcher of all time