Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors Mariano Rivera with 'Enter Sandman' gold record

Mariano Rivera may not have even clanged a cowbell on Metallica's Enter Sandman but that didn't stop the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from honoring the New York Yankees closer with a framed gold record of the song he's become so synonymous with.

In between games of a double-header Monday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Indians were both more than happy to present the legendary closer with a memento of the song that has signified his arrival in games at Yankee Stadium for nearly two decades.

It's hard not to think of Mo trotting out from the Yankees bullpen whenever you hear the metal band's ominous opening riffs — no matter where you are.

“I’ve got a gold record, brother,” Rivera said. “Without even singing, I have a gold record.”

The presentation was made by Indians team president Mark Shapiro and Greg Harris, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Progressive Field.

It was the latest in what figures to be a season-long procession of ceremonies honoring the all-time saves leader as he prepares to call it a career at the end of the season. Rivera already has a ton of pitching records and Baseball's Hall of Fame will be calling in about five years, but this gesture seemed to mean a lot to the popular player.

“I think it was well-done,” Rivera said. “Whoever thought of the idea of giving me a gold record with the song ‘Sandman,’ it was great. I appreciate that and I know it will have a special place in my house.”

Rivera was also presented with checks for his foundation in both Colorado and Kansas City during the road trip.