Sox to honor Mo Sunday night at Fenway

[MaineDolFan]

I've been invited by a couple of my old peers to take in the game in my old "seat" on press row for this one, this Sunday night.  It's too bad I can't make it, but it'll be just as good on TV.   

The Red Sox will take a very unigue step on Sunday night and honor Mariano Rivera in a pre-game ceremony.  They are asking fans to be in their seat by 7:30.

Pretty sure this game is ESPN's "game of the week."  Tune in.  If the Sox do anything right, it's this pomp and circumstance stuff.  They live for it.  The Fenway faithful will also do something you won't see very often.  You are going to see them stand, in unison, and CHEER a YANKEE off the field.

It's going to be something to be seen.  I won't miss it, Rivera is one of my all-time fave humans, much less players.  Make sure you tune in around 7:30.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Just out of curiosity why are they doing this?

[Landshark]

^^^^^

Probably because he is one of the greatest closers that ever lived and he gave the Red Sox fits for years.  They are either honoring the passing of a worthy adversary or celebrating that he is finally bowing out. 

What would you think if Tom Brady announced his retirement effective at the end of this season, and he was honored in the late season game in Sun Life Stadium by the Dolphins?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

What would you think if Tom Brady announced his retirement effective at the end of this season, and he was honored in the late season game in Sun Life Stadium by the Dolphins?

I think it would be nuts and stupid. 

I thought it was classy for Red Sox fans to applaud Joe Torre's return from battling cancer or singing NY-NY after 9/11.  Same with the Yankees playing Sweet Caroline after the Marathon. 

OTOH, if Jason Taylor was playing for the Bills this year and announced his retirement and the Dolphin honored him week 16, that would seem appropriate.  Dolphins honoring Brady...no, I don't see why. 

[EDGECRUSHER]

Most teams have honored Rivera on his farewell tour, giving him gifts. Baltimore just gave him a Bronzed broken bat. He is the last player to ever wear 42 and he is without question the greatest closer of all-time. One of the best postseason pitchers of all-time too. More men have walked on the moon than scored on Rivera in the postseason.

The Yankees are boned without him.

[CF DolFan]

I thinknits pretty normal for respected players. Chipper Jones had many farewell parties last year as well. I also remember the Braves doing some things for Ozzie Smith the year he retired.

[Phishfan]

It may not be as common in the other sports but I still remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's farewell tour when he retired from the NBA.

[Sunstroke]

I thinknits pretty normal for respected players. Chipper Jones had many farewell parties last year as well. I also remember the Braves doing some things for Ozzie Smith the year he retired.

Tony Gwynn had a nice little farewell tour in his final season as well... Lots of gifts and little "show of appreciation" events when SD went on the road.

[CF DolFan]

Yep. I rember the great Tony Gwynn's last year as well. I loved that guy. Seemed like he always had a smile. He could hit anyone

[Sunstroke]

Seemed like he always had a smile. He could hit anyone

He always did...and he always could.

And, judging from from reports out of SDSU, where he's in his 11th season as head coach (in the stadium with his name on it):

He still does...and he still can.

[Brian Fein]

I am kinda baffled by this but I'm curious to see how it goes down.  There's a risk here, I think, that Red Sox fans will boo him.  Sox fans traditionally "Boo" anything with pinstripes.  But, this is different...

...or is it?

I would *hope* that Sox fans are classy enough to respect it for what it is, and treat it as such.  But as a hated rival, I find it odd that you'd honor a guy that had a hand in destroying your team's hopes and dreams for close to 20 years.

Maybe its easier *now* because of the way the standings look?  I don't know...

Either way, its nice to see people put aside rivalry for a minute to respect a living legend.

[Spider-Dan]

I saw the title and thought it was about Mo Vaughn.

[EDGECRUSHER]

I think Sox fans would cheer, every other team did.

Now if A-Rod were being honored.....

[MaineDolFan]

I am kinda baffled by this but I'm curious to see how it goes down.  There's a risk here, I think, that Red Sox fans will boo him.  Sox fans traditionally "Boo" anything with pinstripes.  But, this is different...

...or is it?

I would *hope* that Sox fans are classy enough to respect it for what it is, and treat it as such.  But as a hated rival, I find it odd that you'd honor a guy that had a hand in destroying your team's hopes and dreams for close to 20 years.

Maybe its easier *now* because of the way the standings look?  I don't know...

Either way, its nice to see people put aside rivalry for a minute to respect a living legend.

Sox fans love the guy.  He will get a standing ovation.

[MaineDolFan]

They didn't air it, which was too bad. One of my buddies facetimed it for me from the pressbox. Very well done. Fenway went nuts for the guy.