He was a constant presence at Yankee Stadium this weekend, sporting his son’s No. 42 pinstriped jersey and a Panama World Baseball Classic baseball cap.

Throughout the past few days in the Bronx — which culminated with the retiring closer being feted in a lavish ceremony on Sunday — Rivera’s father, Mariano Sr., quietly took in the praise heaped upon his son and the outpouring from fans, former teammates and boldface names.

It was a far cry from the day when retired baseball scout Herb Raybourn spotted Rivera’s potential after the then-teenager threw a handful of pitches for him in tiny Puerto Caimito, Panama, Rivera’s hometown.

“It was a special day, the day Mariano signed,” the elder Rivera told the Daily News in Spanish on Friday. “Two men came to our house, including Raybourn. I was out fishing, and a friend of mine and me, we were running to get to the house. Raybourn said, ‘We’d love to have Mariano come to the States to pitch.’ I said, ‘Of course.’ Let him sign.’ ”

Raybourn signed Rivera for about $3,500.

That was in 1990, and now, 652 saves later, the greatest closer of all is ready to ride into the sunset at 43.

“You have someone as humble as my son, Mariano, it has been a great career, and it will be very difficult to see the Yankees playing without him,” the elder Rivera said. “But it’s time, and we support him and the Yankees support him. Yes, he can still dominate and throw hard. But he hasn’t had much time with his wife and sons all these years, and now he can spend it with them.”

Mariano made sure to give thanks to his parents, Mariano Sr. and Delia, during his remarks before Sunday’s game, and the comments showed the pitcher’s humor is intact.

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“To my dad, my mother, thank you for having me. I guarantee it was a great day — or a great night, I don’t know what it was — but it was great because you made a good one. Gracias. Thank you,” he said.