Metallica donned their finest pinstripes and took the stage in Yankee Stadium this afternoon to perform "Enter Sandman" in honor of baseball's greatest closer, Mariano Rivera. The Yankees held a 50 minute pre-game ceremony for Rivera before today's game against the San Francisco Giants, which included a live performance of Rivera's longtime entrance song and retiring Rivera's No. 42 jersey. "It is a great honor for me to be the last baseball player to ever wear No. 42," Rivera said. Check out some videos and reactions below.

How cool is THIS? Metallica playing "Enter Sandman" at Mariano Rivera tribute! #MLB pic.twitter.com/w9TjrjhhQJ — Joey Bee (@Joey__Bee) September 22, 2013

What if Metallica pulled an Elvis Costello and cut out of “Enter Sandman” after 8 bars to play side one of St. Anger? — Steve Kandell (@SteveKandell) September 22, 2013

Metallica playing Enter Sandman pic.twitter.com/Zpu6VO5Zue — Erik Boland (@eboland11) September 22, 2013

Metallica playing Mo out is the best thing that band has done since Reload. — Connor Simpson (@connorsimpson) September 22, 2013

"Thank you for 19 years of support. It's been a great run and you guys have been amazing," Rivera said. "You guys will have a part of my heart here in New York." Rivera was joined by ex-manager Joe Torre and ex-teammates Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez and others, during the ceremony. Mayor Bloomberg declared Sept. 22, 2013, "Mariano Rivera Day." It's very possible that today will be one of Rivera's last appearances at the stadium—the Yankees only have six more games left in the season (three home and three away), and they remain three games out of the wild card.