MLB news: Mariano Rivera meets Panama President José Raúl Mulino

Mariano Rivera brought his baseball legacy and development agenda to Panama’s presidential offices, where he met President José Raúl Mulino on Sept. 2. The former New York Yankees closer and Baseball Hall of Famer discussed issues that the government considers important for the country, including investment aimed at creating new jobs.

The conversation also covered investment in sports and education through public works. Rivera and Mulino discussed private-sector support for new infrastructure, as well as improvements to facilities that already exist. Before seeing the president, Rivera met with Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac.

Rivera’s involvement in Panama extends well beyond his career on the mound. He has encouraged children and young people to play baseball, continue their studies and stay away from crime. During the Legend Series in Panama, he said he wanted the presence of professional players to motivate younger generations.

In La Chorrera, the Mariano Rivera High-Performance Center and Stadium was built to raise the standard of preparation for Panamanian baseball players. The complex includes accommodation for athletes and coaches, classrooms, a gym, physiotherapy and training areas, batting cages, a bullpen and practice fields.

Rivera has also helped connect Panama with Major League Baseball. He served as an honorary witness to an agreement between MLB and Pandeportes focused on developing players, coaches and baseball infrastructure. The partnership includes First Pitch and Training Partnership programs, along with technical advice from MLB. His foundation has pursued social initiatives involving children and vulnerable groups, including a charity gala that directed funds to Panama’s Hospital del Niño during a visit by the Yankees and Marlins.