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“Enter Sandman” started and Mariano Rivera took the field at Yankee Stadium. As usual, he left the mound without disappointing the crowd.

The longtime closer was honored before Sunday’s game with a Monument Park plaque-dedication ceremony, joined on the field by Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Joe Torre and other former teammates and coaches.

Even after five World Series titles, 13 All-Star Game appearances, a World Series MVP and the most saves in baseball history (652), Rivera still was amazed a skinny kid from Panama could be immortalized alongside some of the greatest players of all time.

“It’s amazing because of all the people, starting with Babe Ruth, [Mickey Mantle], you have Mr. Joe DiMaggio, you have my favorite, Yogi Berra … and me, a humble guy from Puerto Caimito, Panama,” said Rivera, whose No. 42 was retired in 2013, shortly before his final game. “To be in that group of men means a lot. When you talk about Monument Park, it’s a blessing, and I’m very proud.”

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Emerging from the dugout with his family, Rivera entered to chants of “Mar-e-ah-no,” before making a short speech, in which he borrowed DiMaggio’s famous line, thanking “the good lord for making me a Yankee.”

It was Rivera’s third pregame ceremony in as many days after appearing Friday with Alex Rodriguez and the 1996 title team Saturday.

The Core Four plus one: Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano RiveraRay StubblebineThe Core Four plus one: Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano RiveraRay Stubblebine

In 2019, the next celebration of his 19-year career could come when he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame, but the greatest closer of all time said he hadn’t started thinking about receiving the game’s greatest honor.

“I don’t think about that because I don’t control it,” Rivera said. “I don’t think that far. I don’t put myself in that situation of thinking what is gonna happen, how it’s gonna happen. If it comes, we deal with it. Right now, I’m just thinking about this one. It’s here, home.”

Unlike Rodriguez, and even Jeter, Rivera was in the rare position of playing as well as ever in his final season. At age 43, Rivera recorded 44 saves with a 2.11 ERA.

When Rivera threw a strong ceremonial first pitch to Gary Sanchez, it was difficult not to wonder how long the legend could have stayed on top — difficult for everyone but him.

“I knew exactly when I retired it was the perfect time to retire,” Rivera said. “I don’t doubt myself, what would’ve happen if I continued or not … or wonder if I could maybe come back. No, those days are way, way behind me.”

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