The New York Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday enight, making 2013 only the second year since 1995 they have not played in the postseason. 2013 also marks the final season of the greatest relief pitcher in the history of baseball, Mariano Rivera.

Before the game against the San Francisco Giants on September 22nd, a 45 minute ceremony took place that included the retiring of Mariano Rivera's number, 42, as well as a live performance by Metallica of Rivera's walk-in song, "Enter Sandman". Following the game, the Yankees still had a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at home. Fans wondered what the team was going to do for Rivera during the final home game.

Manager Joe Girardi brought Mariano Rivera into Thursday's game in the eight inning while losing 4-0. After recording the final two outs of the inning, Rivera went out to start the ninth. He retired the next two hitters before something extraordinary happened.

See the heartwarming and emotional video below.

Following the game, a teary-eyed Girardi told the media about his plan to send Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte to the mound to take Rivera out of the game and getting the umpires to allow it. Jeter and Pettitte are two Rivera's closest friends.

This was one of the most spectacular sports moments I have ever seen. A fitting exit to a man who was the perfect ambassador for the game for nineteen seasons. As Derek Jeter appeared to tell Mo on the Yankee Stadium mound, "Time to go."


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