Mariano Rivera said the key for the New York Yankees to win a World Series is "pitching" and staying "healthy." (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)

Getty Images

It's not an overstatement to say Mariano Rivera was once the most feared pitcher in baseball.

The five-time World Series champion played 19 seasons for the New York Yankees and starred on the biggest stage in the biggest media market. Rivera not only led the Yankees to its last golden era, he played his best in the postseason in New York, registering a record 0.70 ERA and 42 saves in the playoffs.

Rivera was a 13-time All-Star and is known as the game's greatest closer, winning the 1999 World Series MVP award after finishing the season with 43 consecutive scoreless innings in the regular season and postseason combined.

You can go on and on about listing Rivera's accomplishments, but all that needs to be said about his legacy and his impact is that he's the only player to be unanimously voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He became the game's greatest closer and one of the best pitchers ever with just one deadly pitch through his 19 seasons -- a cutter.

"No no, there's no one," said Rivera if there's a pitcher in today's game that throws a cutter like his.

It's hard to find a baseball player or an athlete that's more respected than Rivera. The 56-year-old exuded class and sportsmanship during nearly two decades of playing in the Bronx (1995-2013) and was still an All-Star and won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award during his final season in baseball.

At the time of his retirement, Rivera posted a 2.11 ERA during the 2013 season -- lower than his career 2.21 ERA -- which was already a record among qualified pitchers in the live-ball era.

When asked who is the best pitcher in baseball today, Rivera won't name one, but acknowledges that Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal -- two of the reigning Cy Young Award winners -- are "elite creatures" and that he would love it if the Yankees were able to get them at some point.

"Paul, that boy is nasty -- Skubal is another," said Rivera of the two star pitchers. "It's hard to say (who is the best pitcher) to not agree those guys are elite creatures. You definitely want them on your team. I wish we could have one of them on our team."

Rivera obviously keeps close tabs on the Yankees and baseball these days, saying that his former team has all of the ingredients to win a World Series. He said the "sky's the limit" for the team and outlines staying "healthy" as a key to winning their first World Series since 2009 when he was there.

"The sky's the limit," said Rivera of the Yankees winning the World Series this year. "I think that we have a tremendous team, and believe that they have the potential and the ability to do it."

Rivera said pitching is the key to a World Series run for the Yankees.

“The name of the game is pitching, they’ve been pitching well,” said Rivera. “It’s a long season. But the most important thing is everybody stays healthy and how hungry they are to continue fighting.”

Mariano Rivera On Latest Business Venture, Release Of His Hot Sauce

He’s also keeping busy in his post-MLB career with business and entrepreneurial pursuits. Rivera is releasing an authentic line of hot sauces from his native country Panama named “Mo’s Heat.” The hot sauce is officially sanctioned by MLB and the Yankees and the launch event will be at the MLB store in New York City on May 15.

"I brought the heat for 19 years in the big leagues," said Rivera. "Right now I'm bringing the heat from Panama. D'Elidas which has been the number one selling in Panama for 25 years, and we're taking that originally from Panama where we know especially how to put those in our plate.

"Me being on the Pacific side and being on the coast, putting the hot sauce and the seafood and all that stuff is just amazing," Rivera continued. "Bringing it to people's houses is something special, something that is dear to my heart, dear to my family and my country. Again being a Latino and bringing a hot sauce that represents us as Panamanians -- me as a Panamanian -- and me wanting to be part of every Latino house, there is no greater satisfaction than that."

Rivera is being presented with a prestigious award that honors his Latino heritage, the PIONERO award, by LiS (Latinos in Sports) on Friday at Kaseya Center in Miami. The award honors individuals who elevate Hispanic culture, influence and innovation in the U.S. sports and entertainment industries.

Others who will be present are Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jose E. Feliciano, Owner of Chelsea FC and Xavier Gutierrez, co-founder of LiS and the only Latino CEO of a major American sports team.

"Baseball is to me what I did with passion and love," said Rivera. "Being recognized as an athlete, as a Latino is great. You know, this falls within all the awards that I have before. As a Latino, being in the market, being in the position where you have to shine and do well for us in the community, it was a must for me. Being recognized with this award is tremendous. I'm proud and happy for me and my family."