It’s impossible to discuss Mariano Rivera without admiring the man he’s been — on and off the field — throughout the 19 years of his illustrious Yankee career. In fact, it’s disrespectful to even try. Since 1995, the smooth Panama-born slinger has been as synonymous with the storied franchise as any baseball great to wear the pinstripes.

For nearly two decades, Rivera was one of the most feared closers in Major League Baseball. For an industry obsessed with numbers, Rivera delivered. He set the record for most career saves still standing at 652; he earned 13 All-Star nods; was a World Series MVP in 1999. In his career, he helped the Yankees win five World Series titles, three in a row from 1998 to 2000.

Yet his off-field reputation is just as remarkable. In 2013 it earned him the right to the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award as well as the 2013 American League Comeback Player of the Year for returning to the game at 43 years of age on a surgically repaired knee. A well-known philanthropist, his Mariano Rivera Foundation is highly regarded for its contributions to various efforts throughout Panama and for its involvement in the Christian community.

You know you are respected when the opposition tips their cap to you. In 2013 Rivera saw jus that. In his farewell season opposing teams and fans honored Rivera. He received a “Chair of Broken Dreams” from the Minnesota Twins — forged with the splinters of bats Rivera broke with his infamous cutter; the Cleveland Indians honored Mo with a gold record of “Enter Sandman” his eponymous theme song by Metallica — selected for his ability to put opponents to sleep; and even the Boston Red Sox, a bitter Yankees rival, honored Rivera with an elaborate tribute, acknowledging Rivera as “a real gentleman, a fierce competitor and a most worthy opponent.”

However, the highest honors were doled out by the only baseball organization he has ever known. The Yankees retired Rivera’s number 42, making him the last MLB player to wear the number since the league-wide retirement of Jackie Robinson’s sacred “42” in 1997. In addition, Mariano Rivera Day was declared in New York on Sept. 22nd, an honor that was commemorated with an elaborate, 50-minute tribute.

Although his final season ended without a postseason run for his team, a time when Rivera is most feared, his last game against the Tampa Bay Rays ended fittingly with no base runners and heartfelt, tearful embraces from the remainder of the “Core Four” — Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite, a worthy symbol of the summit of his legacy.