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Mo put past behind him in clinching '98 ALCS

One year after allowing Indians to prevail, Rivera shut down Tribe

As Mariano Rivera prepares to retire, the closer's farewell tour has become a central subplot to the season. Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader has been greeted warmly in each of his road stops, and the Yankees are planning a ceremony of their own to honor Rivera's illustrious career in September.

Rivera will be the last active player to regularly wear uniform No. 42, with the number having been retired throughout MLB in 1997 to honor the achievements of barrier-breaking great Jackie Robinson. During his 19-year big league career, Rivera has also chiseled his own mark on the number's legacy. In honor of Rivera and his contributions, MLB.com is commemorating 42 notable moments from Rivera's career -- the 42 Days of Mo.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all-time, the 1998 Yankees weren't tested much. They had the American League East all but wrapped up by the All-Star break, and they cruised through the AL Division Series, surrendering one run in three games to a Rangers club with baseball's No. 2-ranked offense.

But ask any player on that '98 roster when the club felt the most adversity, and they'll tell you the AL Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians offered the first taste of hardship.

The Yankees dropped a controversial 12-inning affair in Game 2, and they got pounded, 6-1, in Game 3. For the first time since April 29 -- the last time they trailed in the AL East -- the '98 Yanks needed to come from behind.

Of course, Mariano Rivera has always thrived off that type of adversity. It's been the trademark of his game for 19 seasons.

In Games 4-6 -- all Yankees wins -- Rivera faced 11 batters and recorded 11 outs. In fact, in the entire series, Rivera threw 5 2/3 innings and didn't allow a hit against a vaunted Tribe lineup that featured the likes of Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton and David Justice.

Rivera was his usual calming presence at the back end of ballgames when the Yanks needed him most in 1998.

As the series shifted back to New York for Game 6, Rivera fielded questions about the Yankees' 1997 ALDS against the Indians. With New York one win from advancing, Rivera had given up a game-tying eighth-inning home run to Sandy Alomar Jr., and Cleveland won two straight to eliminate New York.

The Tribe would have no such luck against a redemption-seeking Rivera in '98. With a four-run lead in the ninth, Rivera got Enrique Wilson to ground to third, then struck out Lofton.

With two outs, Rivera capped his near-perfect series when Omar Vizquel bounced weakly back to the mound. When Rivera's throw had settled in the glove of first baseman Tino Martinez, the right-hander jumped into the arms of catcher Joe Girardi.

Rivera had earned his revenge over the Indians as emphatically as he possibly could have.

AJ Cassavell is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell.
Read More: New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera