What went into Mariano Rivera’s perfect ending: ‘Well, go ahead’

Mariano Rivera’s final appearance of his Hall of Fame career started like so many others, with him running in from the bullpen, “Enter Sandman” by Metallica playing in the background.

From then, it was unlike any of the previous 1,114 outings of his career. A sold-out Yankee Stadium crowd of 48,675 stood, chants of “Ma-ri-a-no!” echoing throughout the building. After recording four outs on 13 pitches, two figures came out of the dugout. Neither were manager Joe Girardi.

Instead, it was Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, his longtime “Core Four” teammates. He gave each a big hug, tears streaking down his cheeks as he left The Bronx mound one last time in a 4-0 loss to the Rays on Sept. 26, 2013.

“I was bombarded with emotions and feeling that I couldn’t describe,” Rivera, a 13-time All-Star and baseball’s all-time career saves leader, said in his postgame press conference. “Everything hit at that time. I knew that was the last time. Period. I never felt like that before.”

The plan was hatched in the eighth inning, Girardi would explain later. He checked with home plate umpire Laz Diaz prior to the ninth inning, informing him of the Idea. Before he went back in the dugout, Girardi asked Diaz and crew chief Mike Winters if he could send two players out.

“Well, go ahead,” he was told.

“And I really appreciate [that] because I think it made the moment even more special for Mo,” Girardi said. “Two guys that have been linked to him a long time, came up through the minor leagues, have been through a lot together. I think it made the moment even more special.”

It was a memorable moment for the three great Yankees who all reached the big club in 1995 and won five World Series crowns together. Pettitte also retired the following the season and Jeter called it quits after the 2014 campaign.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” Jeter said. “I’ve never taken a pitcher out before.”

With two outs in the eighth inning, Rivera came in. He was announced with a recording from late Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard. The Rays came out of their dugout to give Rivera their own standing ovation, matching the one from the crowd.

He retired Delmon Young on a fly ball and Sam Fuld on a comebacker. In the ninth, Rivera handled both batters he faced, getting Jose Lobaton on a groundout and Yunel Escobar on a popup. Then Pettitte and Jeter came out, and Rivera smiled. He gave Pettitte the ball and started bawling. He was overcome by the moment.

“I didn’t expect for him to be quite so emotional,” Pettitte said. “He broke down and just gave me a bear hug, and I just bear-hugged him back. He was really crying. He was weeping. I could feel him crying on me.”

After a deafening ovation, Rivera left the mound, waved to the crowd, and received a hug from Girardi, pitching coach Larry Rothschild and bench coach Tony Pena upon reaching the dugout. Everyone else in pinstripes followed suit. He then received a curtain call. After the final out was recorded, Rivera returned to the field, collecting some dirt as a keepsake as he was surrounded by photographers.

“It was amazing,” Rivera said. “A great, great night.”

It would be the final appearance of his remarkable career. Rivera didn’t pitch in the season-closing series against the Astros. He had already gone out in perfect fashion.