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Yankees: Best July 4 Moments in NYY History

By Thomas Carannante

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1985: Pitcher Dave Righetti #19 of the New York Yankees pitches during a Major League Baseball game circa 1985 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Righetti played for the Yankees from 1979-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - CIRCA 1985: Pitcher Dave Righetti #19 of the New York Yankees pitches during a Major League Baseball game circa 1985 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Righetti played for the Yankees from 1979-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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3. Mariano Rivera Creams White Sox in 1995

Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Young Mo as a … starter?! You better believe it! The first ever unanimous choice for the Hall of Fame actually started 10 games his rookie season in what was the worst year of his career. But on July 4, 1995, Rivera was lights out. He tossed eight innings of shutout baseball against the Chicago White Sox in a 4-1 victory and struck out 11.

It was by far the best start of his career, and he notched his second-ever win in Chicago on Independence Day. This was actually the first quality start of his career, too, with his final two coming in his next couple outings. However, he was pretty much done as a starter in late August (he made one more in Sept.), and so began the career of the greatest closer we’ve ever seen.

On this day, he got some run support from Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, Randy Velarde and Luis Polonia. This was no easy outing for Mo, either. The White Sox boasted a lineup of Dave Martinez, Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Ozzie Guillen, John Kruk and Ray Durham.

Next time you’re reminiscing on some Yankees July 4 moments, don’t forget to mention the best start of Mariano Rivera’s career, capisce?

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