NEW YORK -- When most people recall the 84th All-Star Game held Tuesday night at Citi Field, they're going to think about Mariano Rivera's perfect eighth inning – the last appearance in the midsummer classic for the greatest closer in baseball history.
From the moment the retiring Yankee came out of the visiting bullpen and Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blared on the loudspeaker, the crowd of 45,186 rose to its feet and everyone – including the All-Stars on each side – stopped and cheered the singular figure on the mound.
"It was just crazy," said Orioles' 21-year-old third baseman Manny Machado, who is less than half the age of the 43-year-old Rivera. "Just to hear that song play and see him come down and throw a couple pitches by himself out there, it was huge. As a kid, you always think about seeing him play and, so, it was just something I will never forget."
OK, a great moment for baseball and its last No. 42.
But how about that other moment a few innings before?