The Sandman took the mound at Yankee Stadium Thursday night one final time, as Mariano Rivera pitched well in an emotional last appearance in pinstripes.
The 43-year-old closer went out in admittedly beautiful fashion, refusing to bow down to Father Time after tearing his ACL last season. He had planned on retiring at the end of 2012, but chose to go out on his own terms. He accomplished the mission, leaving Yankee stadium with 652 saves, the most in MLB history, 44 of which came in 2013.
Rivera pitched 1.1 innings Thursday night, entering a jam in the eighth inning. After it was time for him to leave, instead of the manager coming out to take the ball in traditional fashion, he was met by Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, with whom Rivera has won an astonishing five World Series.
Upon handing the ball to Pettitte, another Yankees stalwart who is retiring at the end of the season, the stoic "Sandman" burst into tears. He gave Pettitte a lengthy and tight hug, burying his face into the shoulder of the Yankees' lefty to hide his crying. The then did the same with Jeter, before gracefully walking off the mound, turning to the frenzied crowd and tipping his cap.
After the game, Rivera did his best to describe how he was feeling. "I was bombarded with emotions and feeling that I couldn't describe. Everything hit at that time. I knew that was the last time. Period. I never felt like that before."
Manager Joe Girardi came up with his idea in the eighth inning, but asked the umpires for permission. "I've never seen a player pull another player, so I had to ask. And then one of them was on the DL," Girardi said.
"Then I said, 'Well, can I send two?' and they said, 'Well, go ahead.' And I really appreciate (that) because I think it made the moment even more special for Mo."
Andy Pettitte also talked about Rivera's overflowing emotions. "I didn't say anything at first, and I didn't expect for him to be quite so emotional," Pettitte said. "He broke down and just gave me a bear hug, and I just bear-hugged him back. He was really crying. He was weeping, and I could feel him crying on me."
Jeter added his two cents in as well, saying "I thought it was pretty cool. I've never taken a pitcher out before."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
