Unanimous

Mariano Rivera, who wore the Yankee pinstripes with absolute class while helping redefine and elevate the position of closer, is the first unanimous inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame. His selection was a given: a record 652 saves and unprecedented post-season dominance wrote his ticket to Cooperstown. All thanks to his one and only pitch, a "cut fastball" that baffled batters for 19 seasons.
As the voting was conducted, speculation centered around whether Rivera might be the first player ever to draw 100% of the votes. Remarkably, in the 83 years since the Hall was established and the process established, no one, not Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, nor Willie Mays, had appeared on every ballot -- until now.
Rivera has a knack for beating the odds. The humble son of a Panamanian fisherman was signed by the Yankees at age 20, late for a non-college player. He spent five years rising through the minors -- and didn't move to the bullpen fulltime until the middle of 1995, his rookie season.
Mo proved to be a natural. By the 1995 playoffs, he'd become a force -- working 5-1/3 scoreless innings in the ALDS against the Mariners. A year later, he'd become the feared setup man to John Wetteland. Then, after Wetteland left as a 1997 free agent, he took over as the closer, a job he held through 2013. And like almost no other player, save perhaps Sandy Koufax, he went out at the top of his game. No late-career decline for the last major leaguer ever to wear number-42. His last appearance came against the Rays on September 26th, 2013. Perfection. Four batters faced, four batters retired. To underscore how special the moment was, Rivera was lifted not by manager Joe Girardi, but by longtime teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte. All had were five-time World Champions, and had shared a journey of success that restored the Yankee brand. Their numbers would all be retired. As Mariano Rivera departed to thunderous applause, we all knew what his next stop would be: Cooperstown.

Rivera will joined in the Class of 2019 by Mike Mussina, many of whose Yankee victories he saved; Edgar Martinez, one of the few hitters ever said to "own" Mo and the late Roy "Doc" Halladay of the Blue Jays and Phillies. Plus the previously announced "Today's Game Era" selections Harold Baines and Lee Smith. But Rivera will be the dean of this group. Being the first unanimous Hall of Famer earns you that distinction.

(My images of Mariano Rivera are from 2012 Old Timers Day and the Yankees game of June 3rd, 2013.)