Report: Mariano Rivera scheduled to announce retirement on Saturday

Mariano Rivera has been playing a little cat-and-mouse game where he said he already knew when he was planning to retire but wouldn't reveal when he would actually do it.

Now, the New York Yankees Hall of Fame closer is scheduled to announce his final day in pinstripes on Saturday at a 10 a.m. press conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

Those close to the story are already aware that Rivera has been coy in the past about his retirement and there is always a chance he could change his mind.

"I will tell you guys when it is the right moment," he said on Feb. 13. "Don't worry, the time will come."

This sounds like that moment and a sad day in the Bronx.

Rivera had recently asked to speak privately with Hal and Hank Steinbrenner. It is believed that it was to tell him of his plans to call it a career after this season, reports The New York Post.

The 38-year-old Rivera is coming back from surgery on his knee — after tearing his ACL up while shagging fly balls last May. He vowed to make a comeback before he would retire from the game.  He re-signed with the Yankees in the offseason for the opportunity to leave on his own terms — that not being carried off the Kauffman Stadium outfield on the back of a golf cart.

The Sandman has shown no ill effects from the surgery so far in spring training during bullpen and batting practice sessions.

If Rivera hangs up the glove after this season, he leaves some pretty big shoes to fill.  Rivera is baseball's all-time leader in saves with 608 and was at his best in the postseason.  In 96 playoff games and 141 innings, Mo has 42 saves and a .70 ERA.

Rivera is one of the original members of the Core Four and has five World Series rings with the Yankees.