Explore Black History

2002

Mariano Rivera is a Hall of Fame Panamanian baseball player. His success represents the rise of Afro-Latino baseball players in Major Leagues Baseball (MLB).
Rivera is the last player in the history of Major Leagues Baseball who will have worn number "42," Jackie Robinson's number. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson breaking into the League, MLB retired his number throughout all of MLB, but the players wearing "42" where permitted to continue doing so. After Rivera retired, no players have worn this number.

A New York Yankees jersey game worn by Mariano Rivera during the 2002 season.
This is an away game jersey- grey with navy and white details. The jersey has a slight v-neck. There are two (2) buttons at the top and four (4) buttons going from the middle down to the bottom of the jersey on the proper right side. The bands of the sleeves have three (3) stripes- navy on the top and bottom and white in the middle. The words [NEW YORK] are sewn on across the chest, with "NEW" on the proper right and "YORK" on the proper left. The letters are navy with a white border. The jersey is signed in blue ink under the word “YORK”. The signature reads [Mariano Rivera / 02 Game Used]. On the lower proper right side of the jersey there is a white manufacturer's label. There is a red dotted rectangle which contains the Major League Baseball logo in red and navy, the word [Authentic] in a red script with navy outlining, and the word [COLLECTION {TM}] underneath "Authentic" in grey. Under the rectangle there is a blue and red R logo with the words [RUSSEL / ATHLETIC] in blue. There is small black text with laundry instructions and the words [MADE IN U.S.A.]. There are two (2) smaller labels underneath the manufacturer's label. The top label is a white rectangle with black text that reads [48 / 100% POLYESTER]. There is a white rectangle underneath it which reads [+2” / EXTRA LENGTH].
The back of the jersey has a red, white, and navy MLB logo at the neck. There is a large number [42] sewn on in the center of the upper back. The numbers are navy with a white border.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Clothing - Sports Uniforms

Sports: Leveling the Playing Field

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2019.66.1

jerseys
sports clothing

No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

polyester with ink and thread

H x W: 34 1/2 × 39 in. (87.6 × 99.1 cm)

Object Name • Yankees jersey worn by Mariano Rivera

nmaahc_2019.66.1

NMAAHC

YANKEES JERSEY WORN BY MARIANO RIVERA

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

2000s

New York Yankees • Russell Athletics • Rivera, Mariano • Major League Baseball

New York City • United States • North and Central America

Baseball • Clothing and dress • Athletes • Sports

NMAAHC • Sports: Leveling the Playing Field

City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

jerseys • sports clothing

Yes

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions