Amazing Standing Ovation For Rivera At 2013 All-Star Game [VIDEO] – The Reason Rivera’s MVP Honors Were Botched

Mariano Rivera entered the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York Tuesday night to a standing ovation, worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning and was awarded MVP honors.

The roar of the crowd in the hometown-rival Mets' home park gave me chills. It was an awesome All-Star send off to one of the greatest pitchers to ever toe a mound.

Here's my problem:

I understand why he was crowned MVP. But, for a 'HOLD' after one scoreless inning?

I don't understand why Leyland didn't wait until the ninth to bring in Rivera and let him earn the save.

All-Star game or not. If 'Mo is on my roster, he's getting the ball in the ninth. Not the eighth, or the seventh, or the third. The last inning, where he has flourished as the best closer the game has ever seen.

Plus, the story reads so much better that way, doesn't it?

Mariano Rivera named MVP after closing out an AL shutout of NL, giving the all-time saves leader an All-Star Game save in his final season.

It's not like 'Mo was on the team as a honorary member, or they were mandated to get him an inning like it's Little League or something.

He's Mariano Rivera. He's earned it and he deserved the chance to close out ASG 2013.