Mariano Rivera, the New Urban Cowboy

The Mariano Rivera farewell tour continued in Texas this week and culminated Thursday afternoon when the Rangers feted #42.

Rivera was given, what else, a cowboy hat and a pair of cowboy boots with his name and the interlocking NY emblazoned on them. Former Yankees' closer, and the man that Mo made a name for himself setting up, John Wettleland, and Rangers' closer Joe Nathan presented Mo with the gifts.

The Rangers also donated $5,000 to Mariano Rivera Foundation, which aids children in need. Wetteland recalled the young Mo.

"Who knew that this wide-eyed kid would become the greatest closer in history? If you look back in retrospect, it makes sense. I never saw anybody who paid so much attention to detail. He would sit there quiet, but he would know what was being said. Now I tell him, 'You never said a word, you're always just looking at people,' and he says, 'I was taking it in.'"¹

Rangers manager Ron Washington added:

"Dominant. Professional. Ambassador," Rangers manager Ron Washington said, describing Rivera before the game. "Automatic, and any type of adjective that you can find to describe him in a bright, bright, bright, bright light, that's what you do. Class act."¹

If only he would pitch until he was at least 90.

1 - Quotes courtesy of SanLuisObispo.com (The Tribune)