Mariano Rivera makes it official, he will retire after 2013 season

The New York Yankees' worst kept secret was made public Saturday morning as Mariano Rivera announced his retirement at a simple press conference attended by the entire team and coaching staff.

Sitting next to his wife Clara and two of his three sons, Jaziel and Jafet, Rivera said it was a "privilege and honor to wear the pinstripes for so many years" before saying he was retiring from the game after the 2013 season.

He joked about keeping the date a secret and said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys before."

The presser was just like he closed out games — short and sweet.

 The 43-year-old pitcher was asked if his tank was empty, Rivera laughed and said, "I'm telling you the tank is empty."

Rivera thanked Brian Cashman and the Yankees executives but mostly paid gratitude to the teammates he played with since making the bigs in 1996.  "It was a pleasure with so many great players and coaches," he said.

He went on to admit he would have retired after last season if he didn't tear his ACL last May and repeated his often heard mantra, "I didn't want to go out that way."

Rivera will be the last person to ever wear the No. 42 in the major leagues and he was glad it was on the back of his pinstripes. "The Lord blessed me with this uniform," he said.

The final "Exit Sandman" countdown begins today.

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.

Mariano Rivera has doubts about returning in '13

The New York Yankees are well aware that the team has to get younger this offseason and there are already signs that change may start with some of the franchise's most historic players voluntarily not coming back.

Yesterday, general manager Brian Cashman said that he doesn't know if baseball's all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera is definitely returning next season.

"He said he doesn't know what he is doing yet," Cashman said, referring to a conversation he had with his 42-year-old closer on Tuesday.  "I asked him what his plans were and he said, 'I haven't decided yet.'  He said he was working his way through about 2013 and he would let me know soon."

Combine that with the similar talks the Yankees are having with 40-year-old Andy Pettitte and the retirement of Jorge Posada last year, and the Core Four could become the One-and-Done with a hobbled Derek Jeter left as the only link to the Yankees glorious 17-year run.

When Rivera suffered his season-ending torn ACL on May 3 in Kansas City, he vowed to return in 2013.  He even gave some thought to getting back this season, but was convinced otherwise.

"I'm coming back," Rivera said the day after he fell in the Kauffman Stadium outfield, clutching his right knee. "Put it down.  Write it down.  Write it down in big letters.  I'm not going down like this.  God willing and given the strength, I'm coming back."

Cashman isn't holding Rivera to his words and will take a wait and see attitude on his future Hall of Fame pitcher.

"He might retire, he might play.  he doesn't know yet." said Cashman.  "I told him when you know where you are at let us know."

Rivera has been working hard to rehab the knee and says he will be healthy enough to pitch again but the Yankees have to be concerned about him coming back from a serious injury at such an advanced age.

Asked if the Yankees want Rivera back in pinstripes, Cashman was adamant. "Yes," he said.

But the GM and free-agent still haven't talked money.  Rivera made $15 million last season and may be using his indecision as leverage in negotiations.

Cashman knows Rivera — the most consistent closer in history — wants to end his career as a Yankee and isn't interested in pitching anywhere else.  The same with Pettitte.  Both legendary Yankee players will be free agents immediately after the final out in the World Series.

"I talked to them because they are unique," said Cashman.  "I don't have to ask [free agents] Russell Martin and Nick Swisher if they are going to play [next season]."

It's hard for the Yankees to get younger when they still cling to so many emotional ties to the past.  It's the old story — youth vs. experience.  But we're talking about a lot of success in those tired bones.

For now, Cashman may hoping to steal one more year from the aging Key Three — Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera.