The last uniform ever worn by Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera is going on the auction block later this month. The lot also represents the last jersey to be worn by a Major League player whose regular number was 42.
The gray New York Yankees road jersey and pants were donned by the all-time MLB saves leader in Houston on September 29, 2013, the final day of the regular season. Rivera did not see action during that final series, having famously been removed from the Yankees’ last home game by teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite three days earlier. The Yankees didn’t make the post-season in 2013 and the Sunday contest in Houston was Rivera’s final time in uniform.
Expected to bring a five-figure price, the ensemble will be sold by Heritage Auctions in a sale that is scheduled to open April 24 and close May 16-17.
The jersey numerals are signed “Mariano Rivera, My Final Game, 9-29-13, Game Used.” The lower left front tail of the jersey is tagged, “Majestic Authentic Collection” with “2013” year and “46” size flap tags below. Various Yankees, Steiner and MLB authentication stickers are affixed nearby. The interior waistband of the pants is tagged, “Majestic Authentic Collection #42 Rivera 35-40 35 OB ’13.”
The uniform carries authentication through MLB and Steiner Sports and the autograph has been authenticated by PSA/DNA.
In 1997, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig retired the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson but Rivera and several other major leaguers who were wearing the number at the time were allowed to continue to do so until the end of their careers. Rivera was the last to retire. He’ll be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.
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