Mariano Rivera knows a thing or two about winning. As the only player ever unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the legendary Yankees closer has a simple formula for his former team to reclaim glory: pitching and health.

"The key is pitching and staying healthy," Rivera said in an exclusive interview, reflecting on what it will take for the Bronx Bombers to capture their 28th World Series title. It's advice that carries serious weight from a man who dominated baseball with essentially one pitch—his devastating cutter—for 19 seasons.

Rivera's credentials are almost mythical. A five-time World Series champion and 13-time All-Star, he posted a jaw-dropping 0.70 ERA with 42 saves in postseason play. His 1999 season was particularly special, earning World Series MVP honors after stringing together 43 consecutive scoreless innings across the regular season and playoffs combined.

When asked if any current pitcher throws a cutter like his, Rivera simply replied, "No no, there's no one." It's a humble acknowledgment from a player who redefined what a closer could be.

Now 56, Rivera remains as respected as ever. His final season in 2013 was vintage Rivera—posting a 2.11 ERA that was actually better than his already historic 2.21 career mark, earning him AL Comeback Player of the Year honors.

As for today's game, Rivera won't pick a single best pitcher but has high praise for reigning Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, calling them "elite creatures." He'd love to see the Yankees land either one—a move that would certainly make the path to another championship a lot smoother.

For Yankees fans dreaming of another parade down the Canyon of Heroes, the message from the greatest closer of all time is clear: build around elite arms and keep them on the field. Everything else tends to follow.