Exit Sandman - Rivera Says Goodbye

It is rare that a sports fan can make a claim that they've seen the very best player to ever play the game without drawing an argument from someone. But on Thursday night one of the greatest players ever to put on a baseball uniform, and the no argument BEST relief pitcher of all time, stepped off the mound for the very last time.

Mariano Rivera of the Yankees has used this season as a farewell tour of sorts as he was honored throughout every major league stadium he went to.

And he didn't just tour the country and take for granted his last season, nor did he just play out the string. Rivera stayed on top of his game with 44 saves and 6 wins this season to most likely end his career at 652 saves, the all-time best, to go along with 82 wins. Add to those regular season stats the stunning post season line of 8 wins, 0.70 ERA, 96 games, 42 saves and five world championships - statistics that back up the sure fire Hall of Famer as the greatest closer of all time.

As a side story to Mariano's last game at Yankee Stadium was the fact that Garden City alum and current Yankee Matt Daley got to share in the moment. With the Yankees in a close game but down two runs, Daley got up in the bullpen two times looking like he was ready to enter the game in the seventh and then the eighth.

The third time up, in the eighth inning, Daley was joined in the pen by Mariano. As the crowd went wild chanting for Rivera, the relievers both continued to warm up. But when Dellin Betances got into trouble and surrendered two more runs the crowd saw manager Joe Girardi walk to the mound. And other than Matt's family and friends the chants were for Mo. The crowd erupted when the first note of "Enter Sandman" played over the speaker system and Mariano Rivera walked out to the mound for the last time.

Matt remained in the bullpen but thought he might still get the call. And with his adrenalin pumping he had to wait an inning. Rivera got through the eighth and when he retired the first two batters in the ninth Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite, his teammates and friends for more than 20 years, came out to get him. After what seemed like a five minute ovation the game started back up to the sound of the stadium announcer saying, "and now pitching for the NY Yankees, number 40, Matt Daley."

Pitching with almost 50,000 fans abuzz with talk of Mariano, Matt stayed composed on the mound and fired three straight strikes to 'k' Ben Zobrist and end the inning. As he entered the dugout Daley received high fives and pats from teammates along the bench until he got to Rivera who gave him a big congratulatory hug.

So on this night it was the greatest closer in baseball history as the set up man for GC's favorite major leaguer - Matt closes for Mo!

And the answer is - Matt Daley! The question - who replaced Mariano Rivera in his last game at Yankee Stadium.