SOMETHING SPECIAL: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, when Mariano Rivera made his first appearance of the season last night, he, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada became the first trio of teammates in MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL history to play together in 16 straight seasons. Jim Gantner, Robin Yount and Paul Molitor played together for 15 seasons with the Brewers. Two different trios of Yankees played together for 13 straight seasons, Bill Dickey, Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing from 1930 to 1942, and Whitey Ford, Elston Howard and Mickey Mantle from 1955 to 1967.