It is tough to limit Mariano Rivera to the best pitcher in Yankees history because he might be the best pitcher in all of baseball history.

Granted, he does not have the most wins or innings, and never had the best stuff, but Rivera changed the game like no other player before him. Like Michael Jordan in basketball, he made teams adjust to him, forcing them to find a player of a similar caliber to compete with him. 

Behind Rivera's humble nature and big smile is in fact the Yankees’ greatest pitcher ever. 

He holds records for both the team and the sport, some of which may never be broken. His 603 saves are the most all-time in the major leagues, and nearly 400 more than Dave Righetti, who ranks second in that category for the Yankees. 

His career 2.21 ERA is by far the team’s best number ever, as are his 1,042 appearances, more than double Righetti’s 522 in second place. 

What makes Rivera even more legendary is his postseason career. He is 8-1, which is very good, but is pedestrian compared to his other statistics. His 42 career postseason saves are easily the most ever, and his 0.70 ERA is the lowest ever. 

Unlike most every other pitcher on this list, Rivera is still going. He posted 44 saves in 2011 with a 1.91 ERA at 41 years old. When he retires, he will be considered the best player ever to play his position, something only he can say in baseball history. 

Way to go, Mo.