Mo thanks Rangers employees in meeting

ARLINGTON -- Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, in the midst of his final season, took time to thank Rangers employees shortly before New York took batting practice on Tuesday. Rivera has planned to set up a meeting at every visiting ballpark to show his gratitude toward ballpark personnel.

"We would never have a chance to see you guys, and that's why I wanted to do this," Rivera told roughly 20 Rangers employees. "That was important to me, to make sure to thank those that work behind the scenes. No one sees them."

Rivera engaged with employees by taking and asking questions. At the end of the session, Rivera took photos with every employee, and each received an autographed baseball from the Majors' all-time saves leader. The Rangers became the 12th team this season whose employees have met with Rivera. The right-hander said he wanted to do something different before he leaving the game beyond accepting gifts from opposing clubs.

"I want to be remembered as a player that gave for others," Rivera said. "It's not that I'm better than anyone else; that's not true. I have been blessed and treat everybody the same because I wanted to be treated like that -- with respect."

The Rangers will honor Rivera with a special pregame ceremony on Thursday that will include Rangers closer Joe Nathan and John Wetteland, who won 1996 World Series MVP Award with the Yankees and is a member of the Rangers Hall of Fame.