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Oakland, Calif. • Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has received a surfboard and bottle of Napa wine as retirement gifts from the Oakland Athletics.
The pitcher was honored in a pregame ceremony before Thursday afternoon's series finale against the A's at the Coliseum, the last scheduled visit for the 43-year-old Rivera as he plays his 19th major league season.
As Rivera's "Enter Sandman" entrance music blared, A's manager Bob Melvin and team president Mike Crowley presented the pitcher with the board featuring his No. 42 and A's and Yankees logos. Oakland also is donating $10,042 to Rivera's foundation.
On Wednesday, Rivera surprised longtime A's mailroom employee, Julie Vasconcellos, thanking her for all the hard work behind the scenes. Rivera has made similar gestures of appreciation as he visits a city for the final time.