Rivera Excels

As the Yanks play in Kansas City this weekend, it's hard not to remember last May, when Mariano Rivera fell to the ground after tearing his ACL shagging fly balls. At the time, no one knew if he'd pitch again. Luckily, he decided to come back, and he's been his usual self this season. The man is amazing.

Before being a dominant closer, he was a decent starting pitching prospect in the Yankees system. Here is a '94-'95 Fleer Excel card of Rivera pictured with the Tampa Yankees, won on Listia. I hadn't seen this card, but vaguely remember Excel from back in the day. The '94-'95 year is odd for baseball, as that's usually reserved for spots that play during two different calendar years, like basketball and hockey.