The End of an Era in the Bronx

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It has been a great run for Mariano Rivera and Andy Petitte in the Bronx and it came to an end this week in the Bronx when the Yankees 2013 season concluded with not only sadness but disappointment as well.

After tearing his ACL during the 2012 season fielding fly-balls during batting practice, no one, not even Mariano was sure if he would ever pitch again. But sure enough, he would. He had announced in the fall of 2012 that he would be coming back for the 2013 season which would be his final tour with the Yankees. “If I’m going out of baseball, I’m going out on my own terms” said Mariano.

2013 turned out to be quite an unbelievable season for Mariano and the Yankees. One he knew he would never forget. This is because he was beloved not only by Yankee fans, but by baseball fans and other teams around the Major Leagues.

On his final visit to every ballpark, each team presented Mariano with a token of their appreciation for a man who changed baseball with a single pitch, in a single inning. He received gifts ranging from customized cowboy boots, rocking chairs made out of broken bats, a bronzed fire hose and call box, a surfboard, an oil painting, a fishing rod, a bike and a sand sculpture reading ‘Enter Sandman’. It did not matter who the team was, every team showed the man they call ‘Mo’ the up-most respect, and it was rightfully deserved.

On July 16th the All-Star Game was held at Citi Field in Queens, New York. Mariano came out to pitch the 8th, and as always Enter Sandman was playing in the background. The difference this time was no one was on the field but the number 42, Mariano Rivera. He earned his standing ovation, and was completely overwhelmed by it.   Sure enough, as always three straight outs and the MVP for a 14 time all-star in his final all-star game.

When the game was all over and just like that the second half of Mariano’s final season has begun. The time began ticking and Yankee fans began to realize, that Mariano’s tenure in pinstripes was coming to an end with only 81 games remaining for number 42.

Not only was this Mariano’s final season, but a few weeks back long time Yankee, and Rivera’s teammate for 15 years, Andy Petitte announced that he would be retiring along with his teammate Mariano Rivera at the end of the season. The Yankees and their fans then came to the sudden realization that in three weeks these two historic careers would be coming to a close.

Then came September 22nd, Mariano Rivera day, a day in which not only Mariano, but Petitte would be honored before the game. It was Petitte’s final start in Yankee Stadium, and Mariano would be honored.  It was a day of thanks for Yankee fans for the two men who brought 5 championships to New York.

The number 42 was painted in white on the field, Metallica was playing Enter Sandman and every single person in the stadium standing for number 42 Mariano Rivera.  Metallica then presented Mariano with a personalized guitar amplifier reading ‘Enter Sandman’. The Yankees then presented Mariano with a rocking chair, crystal baseball glove, a $100,000 donation to his charity and his jersey framed.

There was one more thing; a spot among Yankee legends out in Monument Park just over the 408ft sign in center field where the number 42 would sit retired never to be worn again.  Not only by future Yankees, but from baseball forever being that nobody could wear that pristine number 42 again.

Last Thursday, both men’s career’s concluded in the Bronx; where for one final time Mariano would pitch the 9th inning in Yankee Stadium. It was different this time.  He would be removed from the game with one out remaining.  He was taken out not by the manager but by his longtime teammates Petitte and Derek Jeter to a standing ovation for one last time. After 19 years with the Yankees, Mariano threw his final pitch in Yankee Stadium on September 26, 2013 against the Tampa Bay Rays.  As Jeter walked out to the mound to remove his teammate and long-time friend he had told Mariano “time to go.” Mariano was filled with emotion and hugged both men as he walked off the field to a well-deserved standing-ovation.

After the conclusion of the game Mariano ran out to that mound and took dirt for one last time.  Both Mariano and Petitte walked off the field together for one last time in Yankee Stadium.

This marked the end of an era in Yankee history. These two men, Rivera and Petitte, 42 and 46, teammates since the 90s had gone out together and will never be forgotten in Yankee history.

And for the final time;  Exit Sandman.