Derek Jeter Yankees Best Closer Strikes Again

JETER HEATS UP IN CRUNCH TIME

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who won his fifth World Series ring, went 3-for-5 in the clinching game. He batted .407, hitting safely in all six games of the series. The 11-for-27 performance over the six contests was actually one his shy of the World Series record for a six-game set.

The hitting, though, wasn’t what won the series, according to the 2000 World Series MVP and 10-time All-Star.

“We pitched, the bottom line our pitching, it was outstanding,” said Jeter. “Starting pitching, our bullpen, we got Mo.”

ONE ‘MO RING FOR BASEBALL’S BEST POSTSEASON CLOSER

Mariano Rivera will turn 40 on November 29, but baseball’s elite playoff closer jokingly said after Wednesday’s game he’d like to pitch for five more years.

Rivera, who holds the record for most postseason saves with 39 and has a mind-boggling career ERA of 0.99 in the World Series, has one season left on a three-year, $45 million package.

“Hopefully they’ll keep me here for a long time. I have a lifetime contract,” he joked. “It’s great. We had a tremendous year, ups and downs.”

The righty pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in four World Series games this year, stretching his streak of zeroes in the Fall Classic to 9 1/3 frames. He has been the finishing pitcher in the final game in each of the Yankees’ last six World Series appearances and in 15 overall playoff series.

Popularity: 1%