OT: Exit Sandman

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Mo made his last ever appearance last night at home for the Yanks, and besides the fact of being the greatest closwer in the history of the game, and the most dominant pitcher in playoff history, Mo was even more of a truly special human being with a huge heart and a loving/caring attitude towards everyone as well as the history of the game.

This is something pro sports is lacking greatly, and it's always tough seeing a role model like Mo leave this game. I hope some of the younger guys (looking at you Puig) take note of how professional he was, as well as other sports (ahem, NFL).

He always took the time to sign autographs for 30-40 minutes every series ensuring everyone around would get his autograph, and he took his sweet time signing. In tribute to Mo, post your stories or cards.

[packs]

I was at the game last night and at the game last Sunday for his send off. Truly incredible experiences. He is the first all time legend (like a Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle) whose entire career I've witnessed. Last night was historic and I loved being there.

Favorite memory of mine is when Mariano Rivera was a special guest at the Frozen Ropes camp my brother and I attended in the summer of 1995. I was only ten years old and neither Mariano nor my brother and I knew what he would become. Back then he was just a rookie and I was happy to be hanging out with a guy who played for the Yankees.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

That's awesome, both are quite memorable experiences, maybe you could get that stub signed too

[wolf441]

Mo was a class act from start to finish. And that is coming from a Red Sox fan. I won't miss him in the 9th against the Sox, but I will miss the sportsmanship. Something the game sorely needs more of.

There's not many athletes that go their entire career with one team and with absolutely no off-field incidents, etc to their name. Tim Duncan comes to mind in basketball, but the current list is a short one...

[Rickyy]

Next Hall of Fame... totally he's a class act on and off the field....

Ricky Y

[iwantitiwinit]

Last night totally awesome, couldn't have asked for anything better especially since Arod was warming the bench.

[jrenaut]

I took this at spring training before this season. I was down with a group of friends (including another forum member) and we were sitting above the Yankees bullpen.


Rivera warming up by thetejon, on Flickr

The security at the Yankees spring training park is awful - they push people around for no real reason, and it's generally an unpleasant place to spend time. However, a crowd started gathering around the bullpen, and the guards were taking their time moving people along. A guy who was with us went down to investigate, and suddenly started waving urgently for me to come down (I had the best camera). I ran down, and there's Rivera warming up. This is my favorite of the pictures I took.

I'm an Orioles fan, and hate the Yankees as much as any self-respecting fan of another AL East team should, but I'll make an exception in this case.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

That picture is unreal

[jrenaut]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

That picture is unreal

Thanks. The high res version is on Flickr, too. I've thought about printing it and sending it to him to see if he'd sign it, though I suppose I may be too late.

[yanks12025]

I went to the Friday Yankees vs Red Sox game at fenway couple weeks ago. Got to the park early and even though there wasn't any bp, mo and several others still came out and tossed. After Mo was done, he came over and signed for many people(like 30 minutes). He signed my 2000 World Series ball(even got David Robertson who was a young kid in 2000).

I even asked Mo if he plans on coaching and told me he doesn't know. Probably my second greatest item and moment besides attending the final game at the old stadium with my dad and my tickets from the last game at yankee stadium and opening day in 2009.

[npa589]

Only Antonio Alfonseca was better!

[ScottFandango]

really hope he gets to play Centerfield this weekend!

that would be a cool sendoff.....
especially since he literally spent more time in centerfield over his career than on the mound!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by ScottFandango

really hope he gets to play Centerfield this weekend!

that would be a cool sendoff.....
especially since he literally spent more time in centerfield over his career than on the mound!

That would be so sweet

[z28jd]

I thought this was funny, most Yankees fans won't though, but it was Rivera related. Someone on facebook was asking what your favorite moments were(that you personally saw) and it was in response to his send-off last night, which was great. The first three things I thought of, with me being a Pirates fan that isn't old enough to remember them winning a World Series, were all Mariano related and it was just a coincidence with the timing.

Game 4 2004 ALCS
Game 5 2004 ALCS
Game 7 2001 WS

Those were the first three great moments I thought of and I guess that is a compliment to Rivera if you think about it.

[EvilKing00]

As a met fan who hates the yankees, i did watch the 9 inning last night. And it was real cool and a verry moving inning. Best part was him alone on the bench after it was over, it was sureal . Then him getting some dirt. Was a perfect ending for a hof player. Verry moving. I would watch it again.

[RCMcKenzie]

Just got back from the game. Guess Girardi thought blowing a save to the Astros would be an embarrassing way to go. Really thought Houston would win this one. Instead, they set an all time losing streak at 13. At least the Astros made more money this season than any team ever has. Talk about winning.

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

Just got back from the game. Guess Girardi thought blowing a save to the Astros would be an embarrassing way to go. Really thought Houston would win this one. Instead, they set an all time losing streak at 13. At least the Astros made more money this season than any team ever has. Talk about winning.

Not to get this off-topic, but I don't believe those numbers from Forbes. From everything I've heard in the past, their numbers are always way off. The Astros spent over $11mil on the draft alone this year. They also had some extremely pathetic crowds show up to games and while they got the ticket money, they didn't get parking/concessions/merchandise from any of those people. I have to believe other teams have made more at some point.

[HRBAKER]

I made a trip to NY in July for really two reasons to see the new park and Mariano bf he retired. Here are a few of the shots I took at one of the games:

[RCMcKenzie]

Was disappointed not to see Rivera yesterday. I'm sure they will use him Sunday.

Mariano Rivera is 13th all-time in ERA for pitchers with a min. of 1000 innings pitched. He is alongside some big names.

8th- Mathewson, Spalding
10th T Bond
11th Waddell
12th W. Johnson
13th Rivera

(and as an aside about Astros' payroll/income. It's hard to know what ownership is planning on doing. It sort of looks like they are going to flip the franchise like a fixed-up, run-down duplex.)

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by z28jd

Not to get this off-topic, but I don't believe those numbers from Forbes. From everything I've heard in the past, their numbers are always way off. The Astros spent over $11mil on the draft alone this year. They also had some extremely pathetic crowds show up to games and while they got the ticket money, they didn't get parking/concessions/merchandise from any of those people. I have to believe other teams have made more at some point.

When you get your numbers together, please share. I'm curious as well.

[packs]

A few years from now the Astros have a real shot at being very good. Altuve and Appel are going to be around for a while.

[chaddurbin]

astros could draft another pitcher with maybe a higher ceiling than appel, they'll be fine in a few years.

lucky all you guys getting mo at the ballpark for free, it's costing me $230 to send in for an item.

[canjond]

I met Mo and his then girlfriend (now wife) back in 1997. I spent a few hours with them, and both were so incredibly nice. I had Mo sign a bunch of stuff for me, but these are two of my favorites...



One of the cards didn't have a great signature on it, so I asked Clara to sign it, too. She smiled and didn't know what to say, and Mo encouraged her to sign. It still may be the only-dual Mo/wife card out there (not that it matters much). Not sure how PSA authenticated Clara Garcia's signature, but they did ;-) Of course, Clara Garcia is now Clara Rivera.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

Was disappointed not to see Rivera yesterday. I'm sure they will use him Sunday.
.)

Rivera said he's done, not pitching Sunday.

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Rivera said he's done, not pitching Sunday.

Yeah, I just heard Astros' broadcasters say that Girardi wanted him to pitch or even play centerfield, but Rivera said his knee and forearm are sore and he did not want to disrespect the game by playing injured in center.