Rivera mentors Williams at Old Timers Day

Mariano Rivera plans to speak with Devin Williams during the Yankees alumni game in the Bronx, aiming to offer one piece of guidance as Williams works to rebound from a rough stretch.

Rivera guides Devin Williams at Old Timers Day

Mariano Rivera said he plans to talk with Devin Williams on Saturday during the Yankees alumni game in the Bronx. He did not reveal his exact message but intends to deliver one piece of guidance. Rivera, the first and only unanimously voted Hall of Famer, has spent a career building mental strength even in tight spots, a trait he hopes Williams can lean on as he works through a rough patch.

Williams, a two-time All-Star who has been among the game’s best arms, entered the latest stretch with a 5.73 ERA and has allowed at least a run in his past five appearances. After a costly 10th inning in a 5-3 loss to the Astros, manager Aaron Boone said Rivera’s presence could help Williams regain his footing by emphasizing steadiness rather than dwelling on yesterday’s missteps. Veteran Jorge Posada added that Williams needs to stay positive and be guided through key moments by trusted mentors, including Rivera.

The scene blends nostalgia with a practical bullpen tactic: a legendary closer mentoring a current reliever. Rivera’s stature gives Williams a brand-new source of credibility to lean on, potentially smoothing a rocky transition for a player who can still shape the Yankees’ late-inning game. Yet there is a delicate balance to strike. Old Timers Day is a fan celebration, but the current team remains the focus, and the pressure to perform can follow a player into any discussion with a living legend. If Williams absorbs the mindset Rivera champions—that confidence comes from within and yesterday’s failure should not define today—the Yankees could gain a steadier back end. If not, the moment risks feeling like stagecraft rather than practical help, adding pressure without real on-field payoff.

Highlights

The bullpen conversation has begun, and the next act will test how much legacy can help a striker's rebound.