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Among closers, Mariano Rivera stands alone.

(Photo by John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

JUPITER, Fla. – The statistics are deceiving, Ichiro Suzuki said. His .400 batting average belies a decade of futility when facing Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. For years, Suzuki felt awed when Rivera came to the mound. He marveled at Rivera. In Japan, he often told friends that Rivera was one of the toughest he’s ever faced.

In the past four years, of course, Suzuki has gone four-for-four against Rivera. So the numbers are distorted. That, of course, is part of the high wire Rivera has traversed for so many years. His failures must be spectacular, because he pitches the ninth inning, with victories on the vine.

“What comes to mind is when I hit a home run off him to win a game in Seattle [in 2009],” Suzuki said. “That, to me, is very special. It had an impact on me. Of course, you don’t want to face him. But it was that much more gratifying. Because he’s the best.”

In turn, Suzuki expressed his awe for his teammate, now that his retirement appears a fait accompli. Suzuki explained the unique way in which Rivera demoralized opponents.

“Pitchers obviously try to throw to places that hitters will have a hard time hitting,” Suzuki said. “Placing balls where a hitter doesn’t want to have it thrown. But Mariano would just throw to where you’re waiting for the pitch. And you still can’t hit it.

“A batter has a spot that you want to throw to. That’s where Mariano would throw to. So as a hitter, when you get out, when you had that ball where you wanted it to come to, and you got it, and you miss it?

“Usually, hitters want to make, not excuses, but reasons why you got out that at-bat. But with Mariano, he’s so good that you can only just say ‘He just beat me.’ You can’t really have reasons why you got out. You have to say ‘He just flat-out beat me.’”

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Since 1996, when Joe Torre weaponized Rivera in his bullpen, Rivera ranks 26th among pitchers in wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs. Rivera was worth 39 wins in that time.

The next full-time reliever, during that period, in terms of WAR? Billy Wagner, at No. 66 with 24.7 wins.

After that?

No. 90: Trevor Hoffman (21.1 WAR).

No. 119: Joe Nathan (17.6)

No. 129: Francisco Rodriguez (16.8).

Among his peers, he was peerless.

A few other gems found on Thursday, while scanning through Rivera’s statistics:

1. In 2008, Rivera walked six batters in 70 2/3 innings. On May 9, 2010, Mets starter Oliver Perez walked seven batters.

2. Rivera hasn’t allowed a run in the playoffs since 2005.

3. He hasn’t allowed a homer since 2000. Jay Payton hit that one. The other one? Sandy Alomar in 1997. You’ve probably heard about that time.

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1. Rivera's announcement. Yeah.

2. Our Steve Politi writes be kind to poor David Robertson, or whichever unlucky soul has to replace Rivera. Also, Steve called Phil Bengtson's son. Steve rules.

3. Mark Teixeira discussed his wrist injury. The road ahead is murky.

4. Here is some rock music: "Goodbye, Goodbye" by Tegan And Sara.