This 'Magic' Mo'ment

This 'Magic' Mo'ment

         Put aside the storied Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees rivalry of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s.  Confine the New York v. Los Angeles East Coast West Coast battle of Broadway and Hollywood. Last night was solely about  #42 and arguably as special a moment in sports as you will ever see.

            Under the bright lights of Chavez Ravine, the Los Angeles Dodgers honored the living legend Mariano Rivera prior to his last game in LA (unless both teams meet in world series). Although Mariano Rivera’s retirement tour has been going on for quite some time, the Dodgers may have stole the show.

            The celebration kicked off with the legendary broadcaster and Bronx Native, Vincent Scully putting aside his infamous “It’s time for Dodger Baseball” line to introduce #42 in grand fashion. He referred to Mariano Rivera as “a gift from God” and “one of the greatest men this game has ever produced.” A 64 season play-by-play veteran, a graduate of the prestigious Fordham University in the Bronx, and a United States Navy Veteran with this much to say about Mariano Rivera is a direct representation of how much respect Mariano Rivera deserves and how important his career has been the world of baseball.

Mariano Rivera (Left) and Vincent Scully(Right)

            ‘Enter the Sandman’ began to play from the Dodgers Stadium speakers at full tilt and Mariano than made his way behind home plate where he shook hands with sports icon and LA Dodger Part-owner Mr. Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

            With microphone in hand, everyone expected a speech from Magic Johnson… but instead; Mariano Rivera was treated with something far more powerful than the words of Magic.

            Instead, Magic pointed to the jumbo screen in center field where the Dodgers presented Mariano Rivera with a live video of Jackie Robinson’s widowed wife, Rachel Robinson. Mrs. Robinson presented a firm message to Mo’, telling him that he has “worn #42 with class and dignity” and that he has “added to the historical significance of that number.” As if that wasn’t enough, Mrs. Robinson went on to tell Mariano Rivera that if Jackie saw him play, he would have been “proud to share the #42 with you [Mo]”

            After the video, Mariano was presented with symbolic gifts and finally some Magical words from Earvin Johnson; “Mariano, congratulations. The LA Dodgers want to say thank you. You are the greatest closer this game has ever seen, one of the greatest players that ever played this game, and a man who gives back to his community. We want to say God bless you. Good luck with of your season, and good luck with the rest of your life as well.”

            It’s not a popularity contest among each organization on how well they bid Mariano farewell, but the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization showed tremendous class in their Mariano Rivera send-off. As summer comes to a winding end, on the last night of July 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers may have unknowingly given the baseball world a moment that will never be forgotten. The lights may have dimmed on Mariano Rivera in Dodger’s Stadium, but after last night the number 42 will be forever be enshrined in memory in Chavez’s Ravine – and not just the one on Jackie Robinson’s back.