FLASHBACK: September 26, 2013 — Legendary New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitched his final Major League game, pitching 1-1/3 innings. Rivera entered the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays and got the final two outs very easily. He then came out for the ninth. After getting the Rays’ Jose Lobaton to ground out to open the inning, it finally happened: Rivera faced his final batter.
On a 1-0 pitch, Rivera threw his patented cut fast ball. Yunel Escobar popped it up. Second baseman Robinson Cano put it away for out #2. Before he could face another batter and possibly end the inning, a not-so-surprising event happened. Long-time teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte came out to remove him from the game, thus ending his illustrious Hall-of-Fame career.
In a very emotional moment, Pettitte called for reliever Matt Daley. Hugs and tears filled the mound and the stands. While Rivera did not get a chance to finish the game, this particular moment meant something far greater. Had he gotten that final out, he would have gotten his booming cheers, but leaving to a long rousing standing ovation meant for Rivera — and only Rivera — will forever remain entrenched on his mind and that of all Yankee fans and Major League Baseball fans in general.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images Sport)
Rivera could not pick up the save as the Rays won the game 4-0, a win the Rays sorely needed in their postseason hunt. However, that final score meant very little — if anything– to Yankee fans.
Rivera and the Yankees still had three games remaining on their schedule — in Houston. Not surprisingly, Rivera traveled with the team, but he did not appear in any of the three games. While Astros fans wanted to see him pitch, all baseball fans can and should understand and respect his decision to ensure that he pitched his final game in Yankee Stadium where he spent his entire career (split between Old and New Yankee Stadium). The Yankees had nothing left to play for, so the decision was right.
Yankee fans have the same opportunity when Derek Jeter retires as the season ends on September 28. The Yankees are still mathematically alive in the American League Wild Card hunt, five games out but with four teams to overcome for the second wild card spot. It is highly unlikely at this point that they will win a postseason berth, but as long as they are still alive, the cliché “Anything is possible” holds true.
Here is where mixed emotions come into play. The Yankees play their final home game of the season — Jeter’s final career home game — on Thursday, September 25. Should they remain mathematically alive after that game with the Baltimore Orioles, then (obviously) Yankee fans want to see them keep fighting for a postseason berth. However, that would mean Jeter plays again when the Yankees travel to Fenway Park to face the Boston Red Sox over the season’s final weekend.
At that point, they need to make the postseason. If they do, then Jeter would have a chance for at least one more home game assuming they win the wild card play-in game in Oakland (as it stands now).
However, should the Yankees get eliminated while in Boston, then Jeter will play his final game in the park of his most heated rival — and all for naught. That in itself would be nice, but it is not Yankee Stadium where Jeter, like Rivera, played his entire career (Old and New). In no way would he sacrifice his team’s goals and sit out those final three games if the Yankees have a chance to make the postseason. Even though his production is down this year, Jeter is the man wanted at the plate in the most clutch situations.
Obviously, Yankee fans (including this one) want the team to win the World Series; anything short is unacceptable. We can make this exception for the second time. Realistically, the postseason is unlikely. Therefore, if the Yankees are to miss the postseason, then let us hope they get eliminated before they travel to Boston. That way, Derek Jeter, the Yankee Captain, has a chance to follow in his friend and teammate’s footsteps and play his final game at home — where that honor belongs!
TOP PHOTO CREDIT: Elsa, Getty Images Sport
