The New York Yankees closer, who is retiring after this season, will be the last MLB player to wear 42, which was retired in 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson (Rivera was in his second full season at the time, and players already wearing the number were allowed to continue to do so).
The Final 42: Looking Back At Mariano Rivera’s Phenomenal Career
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Mariano Rivera pitches against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on April 21, 2009.