Mariano Rivera and Jim Thome

In 2011 Mariano Rivera and Jim Thome both reached career milestones. The number 600 will both be unique to Jim Thome and Mariano Rivera because Thome hit his 600th home run in 2011 and Rivera recorded his 600th save. In yesterday's article I discussed two young players making their debut season. Today i'll discuss two of the game's most established veterans of which 2012 may be their last season.

Thome played with The Indians, White Sox, Phillies, Twins and The Dodgers in his 21 year career. Thome hit 604 home runs in his career and had 12 seasons in which he hit 30 or more home runs. People often forget about Thome's 2287 career hits and a .403 on base percentage. Thome has a career 147 OPS+. Although Jim Thome lacks a victory in the World Series he is still ticketed for the Hall of Fame.

Mariano Rivera has played his entire 17 year career with The Yankees. He is respected in New York and everywhere he goes. He is without a doubt the greatest reliever ever. In 2011 he recorded his 600th save and has 603 for his career. He also has a 2.21 career ERA and 5 World Series victories. A career 206 OPS+ also shows Rivera's dominance among the other pitchers in his era.

Rivera and Thome may be embarking on their last season in The MLB. Thome will play with The Phillies and Rivera will play with The Yankees in 2012. Not only are they great baseball players they are great people. Ask anyone who has met one of them and they will say Jim Thome or Mariano Rivera is the nicest guy you can meet. If 2012 is their last season seeing these two legends stand next to each other in Cooperstown in the future will be a great sight.