Mariano Rivera Pulled by Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte in Yankees Stadium Sendoff
September 26, 2013 · Tim Keeney · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
After 19 Hall of Fame seasons, Mariano Rivera has thrown his final pitch at Yankee Stadium.
With the New York Yankees trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by four runs in the top of the eighth inning on Thursday night, manager Joe Girardi slowly walked to the mound and called for the righty.
For the last time ever, “Enter Sandman” blared on the Yankee Stadium speakers, and Mo made his famous entrance.
Take a look at the chill-inducing moment:
Naturally, Rivera proceeded to retire the next four batters in order, and with two outs in the ninth, he was given a chance to depart in what will go down as one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
But it wasn’t Girardi who came out to take the ball from Rivera. It was—appropriately enough—Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte.
Get your tissues out:
Jeter has been a member of the Yankees for as long as Rivera, while Pettitte was only away during his three years with the Houston Astros (2004-2006) and a one-year retirement in 2011. All three made their first MLB appearances in 1995.
SportsCenter and Grantland’s Jonah Keri summed up the very emotional exit:
In his legendary career, Mo has recorded an all-time best 652 saves, made 13 All-Star Games, won five World Series titles, won World Series MVP in 1999 and established himself as one of the best Yankees in franchise history.
A class act and consummate pro in every facet, he is also one of the most liked and respected figures across the entire league, and ninth innings won’t be the same without him. Rays manager Joe Maddon tweeted his thoughts on the night:
Rivera has three more games in his career, as the Yankees head to Houston to take on the Astros this weekend.
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