Twins crack wise with retiring Yankee Mariano Rivera

Published Jul. 2, 2013 7:24 p.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS — New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has been enjoying his farewell tour this season, giving gifts to opposing ballpark employees, while receiving gifts from opposing teams, too.

But the Minnesota Twins might have had the most creative one yet for the retiring all-time saves leader.

Before Tuesday's game at Target Field, the Twins presented the 43-year-old Rivera with a rocking chair. It wasn't an ordinary chair, though: it was made out of broken Twins bats. Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire called it the "chair of broken dreams."

"And you broke most of them," he joked to Rivera.

Rivera has splintered many bats during his Hall of Fame career, which has resulted in a record 634 career saves — 33 of which have come against the Twins. Before presenting Rivera with the gift, Minnesota showed a highlight reel of the few times the Twins actually got the best of Rivera during his career.

The video montage then went on to show Rivera striking out Twins first baseman Chris Parmelee to earn save No. 602, which passed Trevor Hoffman for the most in all of baseball.

For as many times as Rivera got the best of the Twins, Minnesota won this round with the chair of broken bats. Now the Twins are hoping Rivera doesn't break any more bats — or dreams.

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