The New York Yankees honored Mariano Rivera's 19-year career before their game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

The ceremony, which lasted 50 minutes, included the retiring of Rivera's jersey number 42, visits from ex-teammates and a performance by Metallica singing Rivera's entrance song "Enter Sandman."

Rivera felt very special, as he should. He was even visited by the president of his home country Panama, Ricardo Martinelli.

"Seeing my ex-teammates and the whole stadium packed with a lot of flags and fellow Panamanians...a lot of emotions. It was more than what I was thinking," said Rivera to ESPN.

Rivera's visitors included ex- manager Joe Torre and ex-teammates Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Tino Martinez.

The Yankees featuring Derek Jeter, Posada, and Andy Pettitte along others conducted a five-minute video tribute. They reflected on Rivera's character and career. "He was about as good a security blanket as a manager could ever have," said Torre.

Rivera's jersey number was hung in the stadium's Monument Park. Rivera was the last player in major league baseball to wear the number 42. The number 42 was first retired in honor of Jackie Robinson. Robinson's wife Rachel Robinson and daughter Sharon both attended Rivera's ceremony as well.

"It is a great honor for me to be the last baseball player to ever wear No. 42," Rivera said.

Sept. 22, 2013 is officially known as "Mariano Rivera Day," declared Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Yankees also donated to Rivera's foundation a check made out to $1000,000.

There was plenty of love, hugs and admiration in that stadium. His wife Clara and their three sons joined Rivera. He expressed how grateful and thankful he is that his family was always by his side and patient with him.

"In our lifetime, I don't know if we'll be able to say another pitcher did what he's done at 43," Girardi said to ESPN. "We have watched something that is truly special."