Mariano Rivera a Unanimous 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee

Congratulations to NY Yankees All-Time great reliever and multiple World Series Champion, Mariano Rivera on his induction to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY!

Mariano is the first player to be inducted unanimously on his first ballot.

“I still remember watching Mariano’s first start in Anaheim on TV, after a late-night illustration assignment, recalls artist Tony Capparelli. He had wonderful stuff, but at that moment, Mariano had yet to develop his deadly cutter. I knew however, that he was a player to be watched, despite his early trouble adjusting to major league baseball!”

NY Yankees future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera by Sports Artist Tony Capparelli. Video showing the creation of this watercolor can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0CrG7qCwow
NY Yankees future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera by Sports Artist Tony Capparelli. Video showing the creation of this watercolor can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0CrG7qCwow

James J Braddock “Cinderella Man” watercolor tryptich.

Tony Capparelli was asked to cover the James J. Braddock Sculpture unveiling at James J. Braddock, North Hudson County Park on September 26th 2018 in North Bergen, NJ. Braddock was depicted by actor Russell Crowe in the movie “Cinderella Man”. Capparelli includes the famous Hollywood sign along with an image of the North Bergen park, housing this beautiful sculpture created by Zenos Frudakis

The watercolors have been digitally stitched together for the image you see above, commemorating this historic event in Hudson County, NJ.

Included in the sketch is James Braddock, an early sketch of his family, along with images of boxing legends Gerry Cooney, Chuck Wepner and NJ Boxing Hall of Fame President and historian Henry Hascup.

Thomas A.DeGise Hudson County Executive is also featured in the artwork, as luminaries attending the event decorate a portion of the third panel.

“As it turns out, Braddock’s grave is within a very short drive from my studio”, says Capparelli.

“… it was an honor to be a part of this ceremony, honoring New Jersey’s Cinderella Man”