Hard Rock Cafe, which is apparently still a thing, will be honoring Yankees closer Mariano Rivera by retiring his entrance music, Metallica's "Enter Sandman", from all of their restaurants worldwide, except for the Hard Rock Cafe in Yankee Stadium. Here's the guts of the story from ESPN's Darren Rovell.
In a ceremony before Thursday night's game, Hard Rock will announce that Rivera's warm-up song, Metallica's "Enter Sandman," will be yanked from its song system to be retired from all Hard Rock-branded restaurants, hotels and casinos worldwide — with the exception of Hard Rock Cafe Yankee Stadium.
David Miller, director of operations for Hard Rock International, said it was a small gesture to honor "one of the greatest athletes of our generation." It's the first time the company, which has a total of 173 venues across 53 countries, has "retired" a song.
That's certainly a unique way to honor Rivera. But honestly, is anyone really going to notice? Are any of the tourists who go to Hard Rock Cafe locations across the world going to be wondering why they haven't heard "Enter Sandman" during their meals? Perhaps more importantly, how many of Hard Rock Cafe's customers even know who Rivera is?
It just seems a little strange to me that a a restaurant chain with a music theme is honoring an athlete, but whatever. Enjoy your retirement, Mo.
[ESPN]
