Rivera met with 17 Mets season-ticket holders and employees for about 15 minutes in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at the entrance of the front gates at Citi Field before Monday’s first Subway Series game. Behind Rivera was the large statue of Robinson’s No. 42, a fitting setting for Rivera because he is the last active player allowed to wear No. 42.

“All they want to say is thank you,” Rivera, who announced earlier this year that he would retire after this season, told reporters after the session. “They were thanking me for doing my job, I guess. When you respect the game and do your job and represent the organization the way I have done it, then thank God. Those are the answers you’re going to get or the respect or the remarks you’re going to receive. Not that I’m better than anyone else, but that’s what I’m getting.”

The group peppered Rivera with questions, but mostly, all wanted to express their gratitude for having been given the opportunity to meet with him. Rivera, as part of his farewell tour, has already visited with fans from the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals. But this was the first time Rivera had met with a fan base that knew him so well.

Rivera has 37 career appearances (including four World Series appearances) against the Mets. His 91 percent save-conversion rate against them ranks third best among pitchers with 20 chances against the Mets.

But the Mets have also had their successes against Rivera, who blew his most recent save chance against them on July 3, 2011. Rivera’s 3.28 regular-season earned run average against the Mets is his second worst against any team; his E.R.A. against the Los Angeles Angels is 3.65.