A journey started together, transformed into synchronized chemistry on the field, moved into a close family-like bond, and ultimately, ended in a goodbye hug. Pitcher Mariano Rivera and shortstop Derek Jeter made their MLB debut together in 1995. And 19 years down the line, after playing together through thick and thin, Jeter hugged the Sandman a tight goodbye hug after the righty pitcher played his last MLB game.
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Nine years ago, on September 26, 2013, Mariano Rivera played his ultimate game. Moreover, a few days before his retirement, then-Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg announced the 22nd day of September as “Mariano Rivera Day.”
Mariano Rivera leaves the field in tears after his ultimate MLB game
Rivera spent his entire 19-year MLB career with the New York Yankees. Throughout his career, he appeared on 13 All-Star teams. In addition to that, he won five World Championships, five AL Rolaids Relief Man, and three Delivery Man of the Year awards. He played his last game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Nine years ago today pic.twitter.com/2dO3WLskJV
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 26, 2022
And owing to a fantastic career, captain Jeter and teammate Andy Pettitte reached the mound to receive him. Watching the Sandman fall in Jeter’s arms shows the world why Jeter is truly “everyone’s captain.”
And this is how fans reacted as they remembered the Sandman and his last MLB game:
Gabriel Catalano tweeteando… @MLBVault: 'Exit Sandman.
9 years ago today, Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte went to the mound to take Mariano Rivera out for the final time. 😢 ' pic.twitter.com/eco93DnNri, see more https://t.co/KCrcXNKTVQ
— GabrielCatalano® (@gabrielcatalano) September 26, 2022
Hope he’s got some of that Mariano Rivera in him. Lose the ALCS, WS, get right back up and forget what happened. Tomorrow is a new day.
— Mason 🍻 (@NYGMason) September 27, 2022
I love how Michael Kay just kept quiet and let the moment happen as it was. Most announcers would keep talking about nonsense as big events would happen. Major props to Michael for letting Mariano have his moment!
— Shawn Cousins (@ShawnCousins1) September 26, 2022
I’m still convinced he could be a highly effective reliever today if he wanted to throwing 86mph cutters with pinpoint control
— Michael Shachat (@MShachat) September 26, 2022
There can be crying in baseball. When the greatest to ever do it does it for the last time. No disrespect to mr. Hoffman but there is nothing like Metallica starting the heartbeat quickens the pure adrenaline and seeing 42 jogging in. Baseball in its purest joy.
— Ryan Klouser (@Klouz32) September 27, 2022
This will never get old @derekjeter @MarianoRivera @AndyPettitte https://t.co/C0d81O7Qkb
— Keith Dvorchik (@bigvorch) September 26, 2022
Cried when I was there in person – cried again watching this just now 😭 One of the best to wear the pinstripes, Yankee Mt. Rushmore IMO
— Sarah Strouse (@Fe1styL1brar1an) September 26, 2022
Still the greatest player I ever say, and still my favorite.
— Timothy Nolan (@TimoNolan) September 26, 2022
Markedly, Rivera was the first ever player that the Baseball Writers’ Association of America elected unanimously into the MLB Hall of Fame with a 100% vote in 2019.
The Core Four – the Yankee dynasty from 1996 to 2000
The Core Four included Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada. The four teammates turned friends directly contributed to four Yankee World Championship rings from 1996 to 2000. Pettitte left the Pinstripes for the Houston Astros for three seasons. However, Posada, Rivera, and Jeter spent 17 seasons together.
Getty
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 04: (L-R) Andy Pettitte #46, Jorge Posada #20, Derek Jeter #2 and Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees celebrate with the trophy. After their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series. At Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
Can anyone ever match the camaraderie shared by the Core Four, and eventually the Key Three?
Watch This Story: Throwback : New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter scripted the perfect end to his career with this iconic walk-off single
What do you think?
Written by
Edited by
Rupak Kumar Jha