"Given a choice between the five World Series rings he owns and breaking Trevor Hoffman's save record in the next few days, Mariano Rivera said it's not much of a choice.

"Nothing compares to the World Series," Rivera said after his 600th career save sealed a 3-2 Yankees victory over the Mariners in front of an announced crowd of 18,306 at Safeco Field last night. "I [like] the World Series better."

Rivera is one save away from tying Hoffman for the all-time save mark and two from standing alone at the top of the list. Not one to dwell on individual accomplishments, Rivera said 602 will be significant.

"Don't get me wrong, [600] is a great number," said Rivera, who watched Russell Martin throw out Ichiro Suzuki attempting to swipe second base for the final out. "The next one [601] is the big one.""