It’s the last time that the number 42 will make an appearance in an All-Star Game (ASG).
It’s the last year that the number 42 will ever appear in a game.
And it’s going to be sad to say goodbye to the player that wears it.
Mariano Rivera.
Yes, 42 originally belonged to Jackie Robinson. But Rivera wears it well. Proudly. Humbly. Respectfully.
The last note of “Sweet Caroline” still hung in the air, as “Enter Sandman” began playing. Is there a moment in baseball history where these two songs have been played right after the other? “Sweet Caroline,” the anthem of the Boston Red Sox; “Enter Sandman,” epitomized by the New York Yankees’ closer. Rivera was about to enter the game.
But this entrance was anything but normal. The field was empty. Players weren’t at their starting spots. They were on the steps of the dugout; lined up just on the other side of the dugout fence. Both teams, coaches and all. Giving Rivera his moment. They clapped. They cheered. They smiled.
How fitting was it for this final appearance to be in New York? It may not be Yankee Stadium, but it’s New York nonetheless.
And all the Mets fans in attendance, amongst the fans of the other teams represented tonight, were on their feet honoring the man who commands the ninth inning like its his job (oh, wait it is!).
Rivera tipped his cap. Turned on the mound to face every section. Relishing the moment. The Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez, making his first ever All Star Game appearance, went out to the field to warm up Rivera in his last ASG appearance. Halfway into those warm ups the rest of the players took the field.
In his interview with Ken Rosenthal, who asked what it was like taking the mound to an empty field, Rivera said, “It was tough. It was special.”
He threw 16 pitches. Faced only three batters. Proved himself to be as dominate as ever. As the players headed toward the dugout, Detroit Tigers’ first baseman Prince Fielder handed him the ball from the last out. A special souvenir.
But he didn’t get the save. He got the hold, the first since late 2002 when he last pitched the eighth inning.
Rosenthal also asked him how he felt about pitching in the eighth instead of closing it out in the ninth. His response, “[Jim] Leyland wanted to make sure I pitched. I appreciate him for doing this. Here in New York. I think the plan was perfect.”
Joe Nathan of the Texas Rangers came out of the bullpen for the ninth inning. It wasn’t easy, but he got the National League out to complete the game. The American League won 3-0. And Nathan handed over the ball that earned him the save to Rivera. An even more special souvenir.
In a post-game interview with Tigers’ outfielder Torii Hunter, Rosenthal asked if they wanted to win the game for Rivera.
“That was the plan,” said Hunter. “I’m honored to play behind him in centerfield.”
Rivera was the ASG MVP. The only relief pitcher to earn such an award. And it was well-deserved. The car that Chevy gave him to go along with the award wasn’t so shabby either.
And even though the All-Star Game determines home-field advantage for the World Series that seemed insignificant to what this game meant to baseball. To fans. To players who have been part of Rivera’s Hall of Fame career. To Rivera himself.