Going, going, gone: The best farewell moments in MLB history

MLB Network, which launched on Jan. 1, 2009, is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024. Through Friday, MLB Network will count down the top 15 moments it has covered in its history, via weeknight segments on MLB Tonight (6 p.m. ET), as well as across its social platforms. And don’t forget to catch MLB Network’s 15th Anniversary retrospective show -- “MLB Network Legendary Moments” presented by Budweiser, with Greg Amsinger, Sean Casey and Harold Reynolds -- scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 22.

The No. 4 moment on the countdown: After 20 seasons, more than 3,000 hits and five World Series championships, Derek Jeter says goodbye with a walk-off hit in his final game at Yankee Stadium.

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Jeter's clutch knock was the type of unforgettable ending that all players hope to have at the conclusion of their careers. But such moments are rare.

We were fortunate to witness another indelible ending in 2023 as Miguel Cabrera played his final game after 21 years in the big leagues. Fit with touching tributes and a turn-back-the-clock play at first base, Cabrera's coda was special and emotional. Although manager Jimmy Duggan from "A League of Their Own" would disagree, there most definitely is crying in baseball when it's time to walk away. And the sport is richer for it.

With Miggy's day still fresh in our minds, here is a list of the best farewell moments from star players in baseball history.

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 2023
Cabrera's last game was a family affair. One of the most productive hitters of all time was introduced by his three children as he stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat and was later joined by his family as he strode off the Comerica Park grass for the final time during the top of the eighth.

Entering that inning, Cabrera knew he was going to play first base, a position where he played more than 1,100 games with Detroit but hadn't played since 2021 due to injuries. It was set to be a special moment, but Cabrera didn't know just how special. His Tigers teammates surprised him by letting the former Triple Crown winner run out of the dugout by himself and receive yet another huge ovation from the fans he entertained for 16 years. Then the first batter of the inning, the Guardians' Steven Kwan, pulled a ground ball to first. Of course. Cabrera, full of exuberance and zero rust, backhanded the grounder with ease and raced to the bag to record the out. With that, Cabrera walked off the diamond for the last time.

“We made it,” Cabrera said he told his family. “Thank God we made it.”

Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, Cardinals, 2022
It's hard enough to say goodbye to one franchise legend; Cardinals fans saluted three at one time in a regular-season home finale. Pujols and Molina had already announced their intentions to retire, and it was unknown whether Adam Wainwright would join them after the season. So, as manager Oliver Marmol took the ball from the right-handed starter in the fifth inning, the trio walked off the Busch Stadium mound.

It wasn't an overly joyous scene as Wainwright, who would return in 2023, had just allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The original plan was to have the three players exit at the start of the sixth, but to still have them go out together was perfect. In Pujols and Molina, St. Louis bid farewell to two stalwarts who combined for 19 All-Star appearances and more than 4,000 games with the Cards.

Félix Hernández, Mariners, 2019
It's kind of amazing that Hernández was able to put together a pretty decent start during his final appearance in Seattle -- three runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings -- considering how his emotions were at the surface all night long. Well before the game started, King Félix was wiping his eyes as he walked out for his warmup session in the bullpen. He let it all go when he was taken out of the game in the sixth inning, tears streaming down his face as he pointed toward the King's Court section down the left-field line. After the game, Hernández joined his adoring fans and spread his arms wide over his baseball kingdom.

Hernández signed Minor League deals with the Braves and Orioles in 2020 and '21, respectively. But he wore only one uniform in a Major League game. His 418 starts are the most by a Mariners pitcher.

Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, 2019
The start of Hernández's final season featured the departure of another Mariners icon. Ichiro spent the majority of 2018 in Seattle's front office, but he returned to the field in March 2019 for a two-game series in Japan, bringing his career full circle. Ichiro was treated as nothing less than a conquering hero during his homecoming at the Tokyo Dome. He didn't add to his career total of 4,367 hits split between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball, but that did little to quell the cheers and tears from his nation of supporters.

Ichiro was the only player on the diamond when he exited the second game in the eighth inning. Both teams wanted to give him the spotlight that he so deserved in this setting. He waved to the fans as he made his way into the dugout, but those fans remained in their seats 30 minutes after the final out in order to get just one more look at their famed countryman. Ichiro then emerged to another roar from the sold-out crowd and took a lap around the field.

Joe Mauer, Twins, 2018
Near the end of the 2018 season, Mauer said he was still undecided about retirement. But Minnesota's last game of the year provided all the clues that this would be the hometown kid's swan song. Mauer was joined on the field by his twin daughters before the game and garnered a standing ovation before each plate appearance.

But the real highlight came in the top of the ninth when Mauer put on the shin guards, chest protector and mask one last time. The only catcher to win three batting titles, Mauer had not set up behind the plate since taking a foul tip to the mask and suffering a concussion in 2013. But he wanted to end his career where it began. Mauer caught one pitch from Matt Belisle -- a fastball off the outside corner -- before heading to the mound, hugging his teammate and walking off to the Twins' dugout while the theme from "The Natural" blared across Target Field.

David Ortiz, Red Sox, 2016
Sometimes, you don't know when the end is going to come. Such was the case for Oritz, who was removed for a pinch-runner in the eighth inning of ALDS Game 3 between Boston and Cleveland. The Red Sox were hoping to mount a rally to keep their season alive, but it was not to be as the AL Central champions completed a sweep at Fenway.

Every season-ending loss in the postseason comes with dejection, but this loss also meant the end of the road for a player who rallied his team and his city unlike anyone in recent memory. Following the defeat, Ortiz returned to the field, stood atop the Fenway mound and acknowledged the thousands still in attendance while holding back tears.

Derek Jeter, Yankees, 2014
"Well, the script is there. The last page is in Derek's hands."

That's how Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay set the stage for Jeter's final at-bat in Yankee Stadium. Tie game. Bottom of the ninth. Winning run on second base. It had all the makings for a Hollywood ending in the Bronx. Unleashing his classic inside-out swing, Jeter lashed the first pitch of the at-bat into right field. His 3,463rd career hit scored Antoan Richardson and gave another victory to the player who has been a part of more victories than any other Yankee.

After Jeter's teammates mobbed him, the star shortstop walked over to the spot on the infield that he manned for two decades. He went into a crouch as he tried to soak in the moment and collect his emotions. It was an appropriate capper to The Captain's home career.

Mariano Rivera, Yankees, 2013
There was rarely ever a reason for Rivera, the sport's greatest closer, to be replaced during the middle of an inning. But he was on Sept. 26, 2013, and it resulted in some amazing theater. With two outs in the top of the ninth and the Yankees trailing by four runs, New York decided to make another call to the 'pen. However, this call came from Jeter and Andy Pettitte, who went to the mound to usher their longtime teammate into retirement.

Rivera, who said he was dealing with a "bombardment of emotions," smiled when he first saw the duo. But once Jeter told him that it was "time to go," the right-hander began sobbing as he fell into Pettitte's embrace.

Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles, 2001
Ripken received a nice sendoff at Camden Yards, but his 19th All-Star Game selection allowed the wider baseball world to salute the Iron Man.

Although Ripken was penciled in as the AL's starting third baseman, he officially began the game at shortstop -- the position he revolutionized -- after a little persuasion from Alex Rodriguez. Then Ripken created Midsummer Classic magic in his first plate appearance as he crushed a home run on the first pitch he saw.

Ripken was taken out of the game before the top of the sixth and was promptly honored alongside Tony Gwynn. They would be connected again in 2007 when they were the two members of that year's Hall of Fame class.

George Brett, Royals, 1993
Four days before the Royals' home finale, Brett announced that he would retire at the end of the season. That turned what would have been a rather meaningless contest between Cleveland and Kansas City into a celebration of the greatest player in Royals history. Brett's teammates honored him by writing "5" on their socks, and the pregame ceremony featured a message from President Bill Clinton.

After the game -- which saw Brett hit a game-tying RBI single in the eighth inning en route to a Royals' walk-off triumph -- the 13-time All-Star hopped into a golf cart and rode around Kaufmann Stadium as applause rained down upon him. At the end of his ride, Brett ran over to home plate, got down on his knees and kissed the dish.

Ted Williams, Red Sox, 1960
Unlike every other entry on this list, there wasn't a ton of fanfare surrounding Williams' last game. There were about 10,000 people inside Fenway Park to see him off, and Williams had a somewhat frosty relationship with Red Sox fans and media by the end of his career anyway. Still, the Splendid Splinter put on a show, punctuated by a famous final at-bat that saw him drill a long home run to right-center field. That was followed by a four-minute delay as fans clamored for Williams to come out for a curtain call. He remained in the dugout.

The 1960 season was a lost one for Boston, but the 42-year-old Williams ended it with a .316 average and a 1.096 OPS in nearly 400 plate appearances. Just another reason why he may have been the greatest hitter who ever lived.

Babe Ruth, Yankees, 1948
Perhaps you don't know that Ruth's playing career ended in 1935 with a Boston team that was not the Red Sox. By '48, he was stricken with cancer and no longer the larger-than-life man he became with the Yankees during their 1920s dynasty. However, 14 years after playing his final game with the Bronx Bombers, Ruth returned to the house that he built and donned the pinstripes again as the club retired his No. 3 jersey.

Ruth was able to step into the batter's box and take a few hacks for the photographers who captured one more look of the swing that made him an iconic American figure. Ruth passed away about two months after the ceremony.

Lou Gehrig, Yankees, 1939
The last spot on this list is saved for one of the most famous speeches in sports history. On July 4, 1939 -- "Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day" at Yankee Stadium -- The Iron Horse approached the microphone by home plate to address the more than 40,000 people in attendance. Gehrig was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis a few weeks prior to his speech. He knew his career was over. He knew the disease would ultimately take his life. But with an unmatched mixture of courage and grace, Gehrig paused to gather his emotions and then told everyone why he was the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.

Gehrig's memory carries on in so many ways, including the effort that continues today to find a cure for ALS.