Yankees Hold Ceremony To Honor Mariano Rivera

Man, how can you play a baseball game after that?

Prior to the Yankees taking on the San Francisco Giants in the finale of their three-game series, the Yanks celebrated Mariano Rivera with a pregame ceremony on what has been proclaimed by New York City Mayor Bloomberg, "Mariano Rivera Day."

With Michael Kay and John Sterling calling to ceremony from the field, the Yankees began the festivities with the unveiling of a new bronze plaque in Monument Park honoring Jackie Robinson. Then the Yankees promptly unveiled in Monument Park the No. 42, as they were officially retiring Mariano's number, meaning no player will officially wear it again.

At the ceremony, the Yankees had plenty of special guests to honor Mariano, including former teammate Jeff Nelson, David Cone, Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez and John Wetteland. Along with teammates, former Yankees GM Gene Michael, who signed Rivera, former manager Joe Torre, former trainer Gene Monahan, Rachael Robinson, and Rivera's entire family.

After announcing the cavalcade of stars, the Yanks showed a video tribute on the video board in center field. Afterwards, Mariano walked out of the bullpen to a live performance of, what else, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica. But the legendary heavy metal band wasn't done yet.

The Giants presented Mariano with a few gifts, handed to him by former Yankees, and current Giants coaches, Dave Righetti, Roberto Kelly, Hensley Meulens and Joe Lefebvre. The gifts included a painting of Mo, and a customised guitar signed by Giants legend Willie Mays. Metallica also presented him with a guitar speaker.

Then came the gifts from Rivera's club, the New York Yankees. First giving him a a $100,000 check to the Mariano Rivera Foundation, then a baseball bat rocking chair carried out by Derek Jeter and Torre and, in my opinion, the coolest gift, the Steinbrenners presented him with a Waterford crystal replica of his glove.

The ceremony concluded with Mariano giving a speak to the sell-out crowd in the Bronx.

To my teammates, past and present, I appreciate you guys. I thank you, everyone of you guys.

"To my beautiful country, Panama, thank you for your support," he said, in Spanish, as several Panamanian flags waved in the stands.

"To you fans," he said to the vast crowd, "thank you for 19 years of support. It has been a great run, guys. You have always been here for me and for the organization. You guys will have a part of my heart.

"I want to give thanks to the Good Lord for this tremendous organization," he said, noting that he wanted to George Steinbrenner for giving him an opportunity. "I miss him."

And to finish it all off, "You guys, fans, are the best. Let's play ball,"

Before getting the game underway that I'm sure many people forgot was still happening, Posada took the mound to throw out the first pitch, throwing to, who else, Mariano.

Now, it's Mariano's, but it's also Andy Pettitte's day as he makes his final start at Yankee Stadium before he officially retires next Sunday.

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