THERE IS CRYING IN BASEBALL

I couldn't control myself tonight.  I'm a big sap anyway, but seeing Mariano and the entire stadium just waiting for his entry into the game... waiting on his every pitch and every wave to the crowd and how the world embraces this guy, it was just touching to me. It must be amazing knowing you've been such a strong, yet gentle man, as well as classy all your career, and  then, when it's over... you get it back from the baseball world ten times over.  What a wonderful sight tonight. 

I was in awe. When it was Mo's time, he entered the game like he's done it so many times before...like a machine. He ran out to Enter Sandman and did his job for the last time.  The world was watching.  Even Laura Posada posted Jorge and his son watching Mo do his thing. That picture is below:

When Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter came out, that's when every emotion that Mariano has never shown came out.  We then realized that there is crying in baseball.  There is... and real men cry.  Mariano Rivera understood at that moment that there were no more Saves coming from his magic cutter anymore.  He could stop. He was finished... forever.   I stood in front my television tonight and balled my eyes out.  You realize something very important at that moment... Mo isn't a machine at all.  He's human and he's real... and we, the fans... we all love him like family.  It's been a long time and the man is going to be greatly missed.  It's a punch in the gut like when Jorge Posada retired and when Andy Pettitte decided to do the same.  Times, they are a changing...

The game tonight didn't matter. It didn't matter to me at least.  Sure, you want to win every game, but it was about Mariano tonight.

Think about what we've witnessed over the past 19 years.  Remember the moments... we've had some great times with the Core Four.  Mo was a huge part of it.  He was a huge part of the Yankees and for baseball. What an honor and privilege it was to witness him for so long.  Think about tonight and how classy the Tampa Bay Rays were allowing all of this to unfold for us fans.  You tip your cap...they got it.  It's baseball, the love of your players, the giving back for all they've done for us fans before.  Tonight was big, very big.

Mo, it's a been a pleasure to watch you.  You've done it with incredible class, integrity, blood, sweat and tonight... literally tears. You became a champion for us.  You inspire the weak and encourage our children.  We hope you enjoyed your farewell tour, because we enjoyed being with you this entire season, not to mention your entire career.

And now we turn the page. It won't be easy, but we get it.  So let's let our hero go ladies and gentlemen and wish him well... because he deserves his time now. He's worked hard for us... but now it's time for him to rest.

No more Saves Mo... no more saves...  Thank you.

The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.