Mariano Rivera

This Yankee relief pitcher is the last man to wear jersey #42. After Jackie Robinson wore it, they retired that number. At the time they retired the number, Mariano Rivera was already wearing 42 so they let him continue to do so. Rivera is retiring at the end of the year with the most saves ever. I don't think anyone will get close to his total saves. He currently has 651 saves. In almost every ballpark he goes to this year, the away team has a ceremony for him. I have never seen that happen for any player in any sport. He is respected by everyone. Even the Boston Red Sox had a ceremony for him tonight and gave him gifts. They also made fun of him and thanked him for blowing the save in the game 4 ALCS in 2004. Rivera was a great sport in 2005 when he was introduced in Fenway and they cheered him because he is part of the reason the Red Sox finally won a world series in 2004. It's great to see arch rivals paying tribute to one of the greatest baseball players and class acts of all time. Hopefully Rivera doesn't come back from retirement like everyone seems to do. Teams shouldn't have to give him another ceremony. I'm pretty sure he won't unretire. The Yankees will definitely miss Mariano Rivera once the season ends this year.