Mo to be honored before final Fenway game
Red Sox will hold ceremony for closer in his last regular-season trip to Boston
BALTIMORE -- Mariano Rivera has never forgotten being given a standing ovation at Fenway Park on Opening Day in 2005, serenaded by Red Sox fans a few months after he and the Yankees frittered away a 3-0 lead in the American League Championship Series.
Rivera good-naturedly tipped his cap to the Boston crowd that April afternoon, and they will return the favor one last time on Sunday. The Red Sox have announced that Rivera will be honored in a pregame ceremony before his final regular-season game at Fenway.
"That should be interesting," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I'm sure he'll get a lot of respect there for what he's done in his career. They have great fans there. I thought I heard some cheers the last time he came in a game there. I think people appreciate what he's done and what he's meant to the game."
Rivera, 43, has made more appearances than any other visiting reliever in the 102-year history of Fenway Park. During the Yankees' trip to Boston in July, Rivera said that he has enjoyed being a part of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, both at home and on the road.
"I always love to pitch here. Always," Rivera said. "Yankee Stadium is home, but when I come here, this is a great game. We play big, big games here. It's always good."