Mariano Rivera tore an Achilles tendon during the New York Yankees Old-Timers’ Day, shocking a day built for nostalgia and celebration. Surgery will come within a week. Rivera, baseball’s career saves leader, is 55 and his absence from the ceremonial stage is a jarring reminder that even legends face vulnerable moments. The event, revived after a hiatus since 2019, featured Rivera’s lone at-bat—a sharp single off Andy Pettitte as he jogged to first—and a fall that interrupted the center-field moment behind second base.

Roger Clemens offered a dramatic reaction, while Derek Jeter contributed via a video message for the introduction. Rivera had previously overcome a right-knee ACL tear in 2012 and returned for 2013, ending his career with 652 saves and 42 postseason saves. The Yankees’ day was framed by a commemorative 25th anniversary of the 2000 championship team. Before the event, Rivera had planned a talk with Devin Williams, the struggling reliever. Rivera’s injury cast a somber note over a celebration of legacy and mentorship in baseball.