If there’s one thing Westchester knows how to do, it’s coming together for a great cause—and doing it in style. Today, September 15, 2026, was a picture-perfect late-summer afternoon: sunny, mid-70s, bright blue skies dotted with puffy white clouds, and just enough of a gentle breeze to keep things crisp. We headed over to the historic Metropolis Country Club in White Plains for one of the most anticipated events of the season: the Annual Mariano Rivera Foundation Save 653 Invitational.
If you couldn’t make it out to the fairways today, don’t worry—come along with us for an inside look at how the day unfolded!
10:00 AM – Arrival & Morning Energy
The moment we turned off Dobbs Ferry Road, you could feel the excitement. The parking lot was packed to capacity, but the event staff had everything running seamlessly, whisking us right up to the front entrance.
Entering Metropolis Country Club—a local staple since 1922 that recently underwent stunning renovations—the atmosphere inside was buzzing. Guests were making their way to the breakfast spread, where everyone gathered around the man of the hour himself: Yankees legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, Mariano Rivera.
10:45 AM – Breakfast Conversations & Yankee Royalty
Despite being the center of attention, Mariano was warm, gracious, and smiling continuously. We had a chance to chat with him briefly about his faith, his favorite scripture passages, and the vision behind his new hot sauce line that recently launched.
When asked about the scripture that grounds him, Mariano shared:
“Philippians 4:13—I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It’s through Him, not through you or nobody else. It’s Jesus Christ who strengthens you.”
He was equally passionate when talking about his latest venture, Mo’s Heat Hot Sauce:
“I’m so excited about that! We all enjoy food, and what better than a good, delicious hot sauce? It’s a hot sauce that will not burn you—it just enhances your food. That’s why we created Mo’s Heat Sauce.”
Shortly after breakfast, a crowd formed as some of Mariano’s longtime friends and former teammates joined him for group photos. Seeing Yankees legends laughing, joking, and catching up felt like stepping into a championship locker room:
- Chuck Knoblauch
- Dellin Betances
- Johnny Damon
- Luis Sojo
- Ramiro Mendoza
- Shane Spencer
Everyone was in high spirits, cracking jokes and catching up before heading out to the greens.
12:30 PM – Out on the Links
While we didn’t play in the tournament ourselves today, we took full advantage of the crisp afternoon weather to wander the sprawling grounds and take in the views. Looking out across the championship course, you could see what looked like a sea of 100 golf carts spread across the rolling hills—a testament to how huge the turnout was for the foundation’s youth mentorship and education programs.
5:30 PM – Cocktail Hour & The Gala Evening
As the sun began to drop, golfers made their way back to the clubhouse, and Mariano arrived at the cocktail hour without missing a beat. He spent the entire evening moving through the room, mingling, signing autographs, and taking photos with virtually every guest present. Mariano’s wife was also in attendance, welcoming supporters and celebrating the incredible impact of the Save 653 initiative.
The clubhouse filled up quickly with well-dressed attendees browsing the silent auction tables. Sports memorabilia fans were in heaven—bidding wars were already kicking off for framed, autographed plaques featuring Aaron Judge, Leo Messi, David Cone, and several other sports icons.
7:00 PM – Dinner & A Worthy Cause
After an hour of passed hors d’oeuvres, guests sat down for a lavish dinner spread featuring:
- Rich Penne alla Vodka
- Tender NY Strip Steak
- Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Freshly baked Garlic Bread
Beyond the food and star power, the heart of the event remained clear: raising funds to empower underprivileged youth through STEM education, mentorship, and career readiness initiatives through the Mariano Rivera Foundation.
It was an incredible day from start to finish—celebrating local history, sports legends, and community giving right here in White Plains.
Learn more about the Mariano Rivera Foundation
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