a Rivera moment

And then, with the AL leading 3-0 in the eighth, skipper Jim Leyland of the Tigers decided to call Yankee closer Mariano Rivera. Rivera trotted in, but his teammates remained in the dugout, leaving Mariano alone on the mound to soak in the standing ovation from an adoring and appreciative New York crowd. You could see his emotions, with eyes welling, as both dugouts with managers, coaches and players all applauding the greatest closer who ever climbed a mound. It was a spectacular sports moment. I’ve spoken to three grizzled, jaded writers who each said it was the most fantastic moment they’ve ever witnessed at any sporting event.

Rivera then retired the side on 16 pitches, all of them cutters, his trademark pitch.