The Boston Red Sox honored New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera before their game at Fenway Park on Sunday.
During the pregame ceremony, highlights from Rivera’s blown save in Game 4 of the 2004 AL championship series were shown. Rivera was given the pitching rubber from the visitor’s bullpen, and a painting of him tipping his hat to the crowd at the 2005 ring ceremony. The Red Sox also gave Rivera a team-signed number 42 that hung on the Green Monster’s manual scoreboard whenever he came in to pitch, according to the Associated Press.
Rivera was grateful for what the Red Sox did before Sunday’s game.
"A great ceremony. Great," Rivera said. "Well done. Humbling. At the same time, I definitely appreciate what the Red Sox organization did. I will never forget it."
According to For the Win, Rivera also received a poem and signed the wall of the bullpen at Fenway. “Last to wear #42, thank you for everything” was what Rivera wrote on the bullpen wall.
Rivera, who is the best closer in baseball, will retire after this season. He has 651 career save, the most in baseball history, and an ERA of 2.22. Rivera was 15-7 with 64 saves and an ERA of 2.59 in 127 games against Boston, including playoffs.
The Red Sox eliminated the Yankees from the AL East race with a 9-2 win on Sunday.