“Mariano Rivera dead 2026” : Baseball player killed by internet death hoax

News of baseball player Mariano Rivera’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 56-year-old baseball player is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Mariano Rivera death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the baseball player’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Mariano Rivera’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American baseball player’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (March 20, 2026), our beloved baseball player Mariano Rivera passed away. Mariano Rivera was born on November 29, 1969 in Panama City. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 56-year-old baseball player was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a baseball player of Mariano Rivera's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that 64% still think false Mariano Rivera death rumors are funny.

Mariano Rivera Death Hoax Dismissed Since Baseball player Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (March 21) the baseball player's reps officially confirmed that Mariano Rivera is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved baseball player. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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