A Final Good-Bye to “Mo” the Last Player to Wear #42

Mariano Rivera Retires as the All-Time Saves Leader in Major League Baseball

Francisco Romero – Tucson, AZ: Teary eyed with a lump in his throat, the all-time saves leader in Major League Baseball left the pitching mound for one last time in one of the biggest stages in the world of sports, Yankee Stadium.  

On September 26, 2013, in a never before seen pitching change, teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte came out of the dugout to take Mariano Rivera out of the game.  In a scene taken out of a movie script the three long time teammates embraced each other in a moment that seemed to paralyze the sports world.  Rivera had just faced his last batter to end a storied and successful career in Major League Baseball and his friends were there for him.  

Rivera could not hold his tears and that was the way he said good-bye to his fans at Yankee Stadium.  That September 26th has turned into an iconic moment that will forever live in the history of the New York Yankees.  

It was not only the last time Rivera would pitch in the majors, but it was also the last time a baseball player will wear number 42 in the big leagues.  All 30 teams have retired that number since it once belonged to the great Jackie Robinson.  

Mariano Rivera finished the 2013 baseball season on the road.   The Yankees last series was played against the Astros in Houston.  Rivera opted not to pitch in the series. On the last game of the season, at Minute Maid Park, Rivera addressed the crowd, as he was honored on the field with the following statement, “I appreciate all the fans that came to see me today.  First and foremost I would like to apologize to everyone in attendance for not pitching in this series as I have decided to retire with the memory of my final good bye in New York.”  More than 40 thousands souls stood up and cheered for him.  

With humility and appreciation, the Native of Panama, described to us the meaning of his Major League career, “My career has been a gift from God, it has been beautiful.  I have enjoyed every moment of it, I have given everything I could give, I have given everything I have and for that I thank God.”  

The following are some of the greatest accomplishments of Mariano “Mo” Rivera reached in 19 seasons with the New York Yankees:  

–          652 Saves (All Time Saves Leader in Major League Baseball)

–          13 All-Star games

–          5 World Series Championships

–          1999 World Series Most Valuable Player

–          Number 42 Retired by the Yankees

–          19 Seasons with one organization (Yankees)

–          (42) Most saves in post season history with

–          (1,115) Most games pitched in Yankees History  

Although he will no longer have to punish the opposing batters with his cut fastball, Rivera says he will miss baseball, “The thing that I will miss the most is the competition, I will miss stepping into that mound and pitching.”  

With nothing else to prove and having retired as one of the greatest closers the game has ever witnessed, Rivera says he feels very satisfied with what he accomplished, “I have given everything that I had to the sport that I love, I don’t think there is absolutely anything else left to give.  I used every inch of the God given talent I have and I used it to its fullest, I thank God for that.”  He also added, “There was nothing left for me to do, I did everything I could.”  

The Panamanian closer is one of the few remaining Major League Ballplayers that played his career with only one organization.  Mariano Rivera made is debut in the Big Leagues in 1995 with the Yankees as a starting pitcher; nineteen season later he ended his career with the Yankees as the best closer of all times and doing so as he can only describe, “I played in a very healthy manner, always having fun and with the ability and talent given to me.”  

What is next for Mariano Rivera? He pauses for a second and says, “I will take a break.”  

Yankee Stadium was not the only place Rivera had a special farewell, every stadium he visited for the last time, had a ceremony and gifts for him, he was very appreciative of the organizations that honored him, “It has been something very special,” he mentioned and added. “I am very appreciative of all the organizations and the fans of the cities I have played and have given me a warm farewell.”

One of the greatest ballplayers in the history of Major League Baseball has said goodbye, but his legacy will forever live in America’s Pastime and even though Mariano Rivera says that what is next for him is to take a break, we all know that what is next for him is his selection into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  

See you then Mo!