Metallica's "Enter Sandman" will no longer be the most feared song in Major League Baseball.
Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees played his last game at his team's stadium on Thursday night, bidding an emotional farewell to his teammates, fans and anyone who he has touched during his baseball career.
Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte walked onto the field to dismiss Rivera off the pitcher's mound for the last time at Yankee stadium. Jeter told the reliever "it's time to go," causing Rivera to get emotional and bear hug Pettitte.
"I didn't say anything at first, and I didn't expect for him to be quite so emotional," Pettitte told reporters after the game. "He broke down and just gave me a bear hug and I just bear-hugged him back. He was really crying. He was weeping, and I could feel him crying on me."
It was also technically the last home game for Pettitte who will also retire at the end of this season. Rivera explained in his post-game interview what was going through his mind when his teammates walked him off the field.
"Everything started hitting from there. All the flashbacks from the minor leagues to the big leagues, all the way to this moment," Rivera said.
Rivera remained in the dugout after the game ended, reflecting on his MLB career and wanted to walk out onto the field one last time before he headed back to the clubhouse for the last time as a Yankee.
"I wanted to get some dirt, just stay there for the last time, knowing that I ain't going to be there no more," Rivera told reporters.
Rivera's final home game also elicited powerful emotions for manager Joe Girardi during his post-game interview.
"I love to see him come in the game, as player it was fun," Girardi said choking back tears. "And as a manger it was easy. It's not hard to pick up that phone and decide who you want when MO's down there."
At the end of Rivera's post-game interview, he thanked the writers and the media for being there during his baseball career and applause ensued.
Exit Sandman.
