Mariano Rivera MLB's 1st unanimous Hall of Famer

Mariano Rivera has become baseball's first unanimous Hall of Fame selection.

The New York Yankees relief pitcher received all 425 votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera talks to the fans before a baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Houston. Rivera is retiring at the end of the season. [File Photo: AP/David J. Phillip]

"Amazing. Amazing. All I have to say is thank God for that. It was a beautiful long career with, to me, the best organization there is in baseball -- the New York Yankees. And to end up with this like that, it's amazing," says an overjoyed Rivera.

Rivera is baseball's career saves leader with 652. He won five World Series over 19 seasons with the Yankees.

Rivera grew up in Panama and signed with New York in 1990. He made his debut in the majors in 1995 and became one of the game's best relievers a year later.

Rivera was the last player in the major leagues to wear Jackie Robinson's No. 42.

"One thing is I always remember is that wearing No. 42, representing Mr Jackie Robinson, and him, I assume he was the first No. 42 elected. And me, being the last player to wear No. 42 and being elected to the Hall of Fame, and unanimously, is amazing," Rivera says.

Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez and Mike Mussina were also elected along with Rivera.