He is the greatest closer in the history of baseball, the one you would want on the mound to clinch the World Series for your team. Mariano Rivera nailed down the coffin over and over again during his legendary 19-year career; it was essentially a foregone conclusion when the PA would play the interlude to Metallica's "Enter Sandman." With so much success, it seems wrong that perhaps the one performance that stands out the most is the 2001 World Series in which the New York Yankees were seeking their 4th straight championship. In game seven, the Arizona Diamondbacks' Luis Gonzalez fought off one of Rivera's patented cutters to loop it over a drawn-in infield and bring home the game-winning run. A shocking end to the Yanks run of four titles in five years. Featured here is the glove Rivera used during the 2001 season. Based on photo evidence and the glove's provenance from Mo's teammate, it is most likely the one used during that fateful 2001 Fall Classic. Truly a one-of-a-kind piece of history from the humble Panamanian - the last to wear Jackie Robinson's number.
The black Rawlings PRO-R42 signature model fielder's glove exhibits heavy wear with "Mariano Rivera" embroidered in white on the thumb. Inscribed in 9/10 silver sharpie on the index and middle fingers is "Mariano Rivera #42, Game Used 2001." The leather shows incredible wear. Rivera gave this glove to his friend and former Yankee teammate, Dominican pitcher Domingo Jean, who played one full MLB season in 1993 and toiled in the Yankees' farm system until 2003. In Jean's letter, he states "The glove that accompanies this letter was given to me by Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees during Major League Spring Training in 2002. I was invited to participate in Spring Training that year and was in the locker room with my friend and teammate, Mariano. We had been roommates during Minor League Spring Training in 1992 and Major League Spring Training in 1993. I remember going to Mariano's locker and sitting down with him. I asked my friend who had been playing so well, if he would give me a pair of pants for 'good luck' for the year ahead, as we were both pitchers. He not only gave me two pairs of pants, but also the glove he used during the 2001 season and possibly World Series and several other items."
Photos from each of the four games (3, 4, 5 & 7) that Rivera pitched in the 2001 World Series clearly match the style. It is very unlikely that Rivera broke in a brand new glove for the postseason. Jean got the glove from Mo in 2002 and gifted it to a female friend in 2009. In 2010, Jean got Rivera to sign and inscribe the glove for his friend during a road game in Tampa - a moment captured by enclosed photos. This lot also includes a paperback copy of Buster Olney's book "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty" signed on the cover by Rivera.
Letter of Provenance from Domingo Jean as well as a letter from the female friend Jean gave it to. Also comes with photos that document the process by which Rivera signed the glove. Printed game photos from the 2001 postseason are also provided, including a few from the World Series.
Full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA for the autograph.