Mo’s apprenticeship set stage for future as master

Mariano Rivera has carved out his place in baseball history as a closer. But before he inherited that role in 1997, he was John Wetteland’s understudy in the Yankees’ bullpen. His one full season as a setup man served as a preview of his future ninth-inning dominance, as Rivera posted a 2.09 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings.

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