Watch: Rain spoils Alex Rodriguez's farewell ceremony
NEW YORK — If Alex Rodriguez's pregame farewell ceremony hadn't been moved up five minutes due to rain, thousands watching at a muggy Yankee Stadium and around the globe would have missed out one hell of a show.
As dark clouds threatened above, the Yankees attempted to squeeze in the festivities for Rodriguez by moving the start time from 7 p.m. ET to 6:55. After around five minutes of shuffling feet, and a five-minute tribute video, the public address announcer began to introduce A-Rod.
"Alex, you've spent 12 of your 22 seasons with the Yankees," he said, just before a loud crack of lightning sent the crowd into a roar.
• The 13 essential stages in the career of Alex Rodriguez
There was more thunder, then lightning, then a heavy downpour. Rodriguez was presented with a gift on the field, surrounded by his mother, sisters and daughters, before the precipitation forced him off the field.
The game was delayed approximately 30 minutes, and set to begin around 8 p.m. ET.
