Exit Sandman

It is finally here. Mariano Rivera is about to exit Major League Baseball. Cue the music one more time: Exit Sandman.

As a baseball and Yankees fan, I can't believe how hard this has been to watch, especially since now it is actually real. When I think of Mariano Rivera, I think of stable, consistent, dependable. It's going to be weird without him. Maybe if I had been a little bit older when Mario Lemieux retired, I could relate it to that. But Mo is a gem in baseball. He is the last baseball to ever wear number 42. He will be remembered as a legend. The best closer in a game. Fun fact: He didn't start pitching until he was 18. Bet he's glad he made that change. Five World Series rings.

There is just something about him, beyond his superb athletic ability that people respect him for. I wish I could just go up to him and shake his hand.

Guess how many post season saves he has. 42. Brad Lidge is second with 19. Of all the numbers...42? One of those things that gives me chills, something I love about the game.

Rivera blew a save in 2001. Joe Giardi says he has never seen anyone so unaffected and ready to keep going after the fact. A good quality to be sure. The game he blew? It was game 7 of the World Series. Sure as hell won't be the defining moment in his career. Someone else? That might have ruined his career. Not Mo. His mindset is just incredible.

There has never been a farewell tour like this before. I doubt that there will be anything comparable again. No one doubted that the Yankees would retire Rivera's number 42 in Monument Park. But they did it today, the last, regular-season home game of Rivera's career. Members of Jackie Robinson's family attended the ceremony. Metallica showed up and performed "Exit Sandman" live for Rivera to walk out to during the ceremony. Teams have given him gifts throughout the series, like a rocking chair made of wooden bats like the Twins did. Some teams donated checks to Rivera's charities. The Mets gave him a mounted fire hose nozzle, in recognition of the how the two teams helped New York heal after 9/11, and a mounted call box. One of the gifts the Red Sox gave was Fenway Park's #42 from the hand-operated scoreboard. Red Sox fans also gave Rivera a standing ovation. The best closer who happens to be their team's biggest rival. Who else gets that type of respect? Check out this page to see some of the gifts Mariano Rivera received.

I can't imagine when Jeter finally retires. I'll be a mess. But as a closer, Rivera had a type of pressure on him I wouldn't want to imagine. And this guy just kicked ass. I like to think he is not walking away with any regrets. He knew it was time to go, even though he could probably still kick ass a little bit longer.

Enjoy retirement, Mo. You deserve it. I'm gonna miss ya.