Mariano Rivera Named Winner Of The "DHL Presents The Major League Baseball Delivery Man Of The Month Award" For April

Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees has been selected as the winner of “DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award” for April, it was announced today. This officially-sanctioned Major League Baseball (MLB) award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher during each month of the regular season.

Rivera was a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities in April, which is his best start to a season since he converted his first 12 chances in 2004. The right-hander allowed no earned runs in 10 games, striking out 11 batters over 11.0 innings pitched and surrendering just four hits. In 12 appearances so far this season, he has yet to issue a walk. Rivera’s 451 saves are the most ever in the American League and puts him third on the all-time list behind Trevor Hoffman (529) and Lee Smith (478). His 799 career appearances are 277 more than any other pitcher in Yankees history (Dave Righetti is second with 522). The eight-time All-Star won the “DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award” in 2005 and 2006.

In recognition of this honor, DHL will donate $1,500 to the United Youth Baseball League in the Bronx in Rivera’s name. This donation will be made in conjunction with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF), a joint initiative of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. In addition, Rivera will be recognized in a special advertisement today in USA Today.

The “DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award” winner is selected by a special Major League Baseball “yellow-ribbon” panel that includes Mike Bauman, national columnist for MLB.com; Darryl Hamilton, former Major League outfielder and a member of the MLB On-Field Operations staff; Jerome Holtzman, the official MLB Historian and a member of the writer’s wing of the Hall of Fame; and Bob Watson, Vice President, On-Field Operations, Major League Baseball.

At the conclusion of the season, Major League Baseball fans will have the opportunity to determine which relief pitcher had the best overall season and deserves the fourth-annual “DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award.” A list of finalists will be selected based on statistical qualifiers, and fans will be able to vote for the winner online at MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball. Last season, Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox was named the recipient of the “DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award.”