NEW YORK – Humble as ever, Mariano Rivera began his special day by paying tribute to a Hall of Famer.

The New York Yankees retired Rivera’s No. 42 Sunday, and the great reliever honored Jackie Robinson during a ceremony in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park.

Robinson’s No. 42 was retired throughout the major leagues in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of the day the Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman broke baseball’s color barrier. Players wearing 42 at the time were grandfathered.

“It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be the last player to ever wear No. 42,” Rivera said during the ceremony before the last regular-season day home game of his 19-season career.

As Rivera stood nearby, Robinson’s wife Rachel unveiled a plaque dedicated to Jackie. Then with his wife and three sons, Rivera uncovered his number — changed from Robinson’s Dodger Blue to Yankees navy — that will be on display in Monument Park alongside the 15 other retired Yankees numbers.

“We didn’t have the finish of what I was looking for, but it was a great day,” Rivera said after the Yankees’ 2-1 defeat against the San Francisco Giants. Ichiro Suzuki was 0-for-3.

“I didn’t know what to feel, especially at the monument, where they had the number retired already — I’m officially retired today,” he added.

In a proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that was read to the crowd, Sept. 22 was declared “Mariano Rivera Day.”

After video highlights of a big league career that includes a record 652 saves, a recording of late Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard introduced Rivera.

Then the bullpen door swung open and the first chords of “Enter Sandman,” rang out. Only this time the song that for more than a decade almost always indicated the end of the game for New York’s opponent was being played live by iconic metal band Metallica.

While Metallica played, Andy Pettitte, Rivera’s teammate on five World Series championships, began his warmups in right field.

“The focus, it was a grind, but I knew if I could get through the first inning. Once I got past that it was pretty good,” said Pettitte, who took a no-hitter in the sixth before being charged with two runs.

Pettitte announced Friday — with Rivera’s encouragement — that he was also retiring at the end of the season and, in a neat coincidence, his final regular-season start came on Rivera’s day.

Rivera has saved 72 of Pettitte’s 255 regular-season wins, the most for any tandem in MLB history.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Athletics 11, Twins 7

In Oakland, Coco Crisp hit a three-run homer, and Daric Barton and Jed Lowrie each had solo shots as the Athletics wrapped up their second straight AL West title.

Rays 3, Orioles 1

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Enny Romero combined with five relievers on a three-hitter.

Indians 9, Astros 2

In Cleveland, Michael Brantley and Michael Bourn had two RBIs apiece for the Indians.

Royals 4, Rangers 0 (10)

In Kansas City, Justin Maxwell ended the Royals’ home season with a two-out grand slam.

White Sox 6, Tigers 3

In Detroit, the Tigers fell short in their effort to clinch the AL Central.

Mariners 3, Angels 2

In Anaheim, Justin Smoak hit a tiebreaking two-run homer and Felix Hernandez had 10 strikeouts in a four-inning start.

Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 2

In Boston, David Ortiz and Jackie Bradley Jr. homered.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves 5, Cubs 2

In Chicago, Atlanta clinched its first NL East title since 2005, then rode two homers by Andrelton Simmons to a win.

Brewers 6, Cardinals 4

In Milwaukee, Norichika Aoki scored three times and doubled home a run.

St. Louis had clinched a postseason berth prior to the game.

Reds 11, Pirates 3

In Pittsburgh, rookie Billy Hamilton got three hits and stole two more bases as Cincinnati tied the Pirates for the NL wild-card lead.

Marlins 4, Nationals 2 (1st)

Nationals 5, Marlins 4 (2nd)

In Washington, Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich homered for the Marlins in the doubleheader opener.

Nationals reliever Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless ninth in the nightcap to win Washington’s home finale.

Mets 4, Phillies 3

In Philadelphia, Wilfredo Tovar hit a two-run, seventh-inning single in his major league debut, putting the Mets ahead for good.

Dodgers 1, Padres 0

In San Diego, Adrian Gonzalez scored an unearned run and Zack Greinke combined with three relievers on a two-hitter.

Diamondbacks 13, Rockies 9

In Denver, Matt Davidson hit a three-run homer for the second straight day.