Mariano Rivera says goodbye to Yankee Stadium

Exit Sandman.

William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Goodbye, Mr. Rivera.

After getting the Yankees out of an eight inning jam in their game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Mariano Rivera was pulled from the game in the ninth by teammates Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter.

It was his last time leaving the mound at Yankee Stadium, and Rivera was very emotional.

“I was so thankful they came out,” said Rivera, who cried when they reached the mound.

“I was bombarded with emotions and feeling that I couldn’t describe,” he said. “Everything hit at that time. I knew that was the last time. Period. I never felt like that before.”

It was beautiful moment. And Jeter enjoyed his part in history.

“I thought it was pretty cool. I’ve never taken a pitcher out before,” he said. ”We’ve all grown up together. It’s too bad good things have to come to an end.”