FOX Sports 1, Relativity Television, Relativity Sports and Major League Baseball Productions Present All-Access Special Within Days of Legendary Closer’s Retirement
New York – Cue the music … Metallica’s Enter Sandman.
FOX Sports’ award-winning, all-access original documentary series BEING: goes on an extraordinary journey with New York Yankees legendary closer Mariano Rivera as he marches toward Cooperstown in the final season of an epic, record-setting career.
In production since Spring Training, the unprecedented goal is for BEING: MARIANO RIVERA to premiere on FOX Sports 1 — the nation’s new sports network, launching Aug. 17 — within days of the unparalleled pitcher throwing the final trademark cutter of his monumental career.
“There is incredible opportunity here to chronicle the real human story behind the final stretch of the most dominant pitcher in modern baseball history,” said Michael Bloom, FOX Sports Senior Vice President of Original Programming. “Mariano has opened the doors completely to our cameras. We’re going to be able to see and feel, in his voice and through his eyes, what it’s like to be a legendary Yankee and wrap up a Hall-of-Fame career and take off the pinstripes for the last time. We’ll also be there as he wakes up the next morning and starts the next chapter of his life.”
One of the greatest Yankees of all-time, Rivera is an intensely private and spiritual man; his unique aura both on and off the field only enhances his mystique. BEING: MARIANO RIVERA affords viewers an intimate look into his life and takes the fan and viewer from his early childhood in Puerto Caimito, Panama to his current-day status as a living legend; all told within BEING:’S cinematic framework of Rivera’s final season. Major League Baseball Productions has had camera crews embedded behind the scenes with Rivera at multiple key points since filming began prior to Opening Day.
Universally regarded as the most dominant relief pitcher in baseball, using his signature cut fastball to score an all-time record 638 saves (and counting), five World Series rings (including the World Series MVP award in 1999) and countless single-season and career pitching marks, Rivera’s story is the stuff of legends. For more information on Rivera, please visit: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/
FOX Sports Originals’ BEING: series sets the tone for FOX Sports 1 original programming with a number of other high-profile, unprecedented, all-access projects in different stages of development and production, including BEING: MIKE TYSON and BEING: THE FINEST.
“It’s important for the team at FOX Sports to connect fans and viewers with today’s heroes and show them the human side of sport,” Bloom added. “Our BEING: franchise does just that. It puts the viewer/fan in a position to walk a mile in the shoes of today’s icons and hear, see and feel what they do during the most critical times and the simplest moments.”
“Mariano Rivera’s retirement isn’t just a story for Yankee fans, or even baseball fans,” said Tom Forman, CEO of Relativity Television. “This is a story about champions, determination and going out on top. It’s about as universal as it gets.”
“Given how closely Mariano guards his privacy, we’re extremely appreciative of the access he has granted us these past few months,” said Chris Tully, Senior Vice President, Broadcasting, Major League Baseball. “This special will be a rare glimpse behind the curtain with one of the truly legendary figures in the game.”
Co-produced by Relativity Television, Relativity Sports and Major League Baseball Productions, BEING: MARIANO RIVERA is directed by Jeff Spaulding. Relativity Television’s team of Executive Producers includes Tom Forman, Happy Walters, Fernando Cuza, Matt Weaver and Brad Bishop. David Gavant serves as Vice President of Production, and David Check is Executive Producer for Major League Baseball.
— FOX SPORTS 1 —
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