NEW YORK -- Mariano Rivera walked to the podium near home plate at Yankee Stadium to speak about his newly dedicated plaque, which will be placed in Monument Park behind centre field. He spoke in the 95-degree heat for just 3 minutes, as brief as many of his efficient relief appearances.
"I always will thank the good Lord to make me a Yankee," he said, referencing Joe DiMaggio's memorable phrase.
And then he turned and pointed to his former teammates and managers, seated on folding chairs in the infield.
"Hey, guys, I said 5 minutes -- all right!