'Much was made through the years about Andy Pettitte's friendship with Roger Clemens, but Rivera is Pettitte's best baseball friend,' Kernan, NY Post

6/28/2009, Kernan, NY Post, "Much was made through the years about Andy Pettitte's friendship with Roger Clemens, but Rivera is Pettitte's best baseball friend. Rivera has saved 59 of the lefty's games,* the all-time win/save combo in baseball history, two ahead of Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley.

Then there is the postseason. Mariano owns 34 postseason saves. That's 19 more than anyone else in major league history. "He's the best," Pettitte has said on more than one occasion, a comment echoed by so many Yankees players and management types.

The next save will be No. 500. Expect Rivera to accomplish the feat in his usual efficient and classy style. And don't be shocked if he makes it to 600 saves some day."

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*As of March 17, 2012, The Pettitte-Rivera win-save combo totals 68 in regular season, 11 in post season, for a total of 79. I give honorable mention for The "Bugs" Game, 2007 ALDS Game 2, NYY @ Cleveland which the Yankees lost in 11, but which Pettitte started and Rivera pitched 2 innings with score tied, 9th and 10th, Oct. 5, 2007.

• 6/28/09, "ONE MO FOR MILESTONE," "NEXT SAVE WILL BE RIVERA'S 500TH," Kevin Kernan, NY Post

• Above, Jorge Posada spraying bug spray on Mariano Rivera during The Bugs Game, ALDS game 2 in Cleveland, 10/5/2007.

Above, Joba Chamberlain getting bug spray from Gene Monahan during Bugs game.

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