Mickey Rivers
| Mickey Rivers | |||
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Rivers in 2010.
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| Center fielder | |||
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Born: October 31, 1948 Miami, Florida |
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| MLB debut | |||
| August 4, 1970, for the California Angels | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 30, 1984, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .295 | ||
| Hits | 1,660 | ||
| Runs batted in | 499 | ||
| Teams | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
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John Milton "Mickey" Rivers (born October 31, 1948) is an American former baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1970 to 1984 for the California Angels, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. As a member of the Yankees, he was part of their two World Series champions, both over the Los Angeles Dodgers. "Mick The Quick" was generally known as a speedy leadoff hitter who made contact and was an excellent center fielder, with a below-average throwing arm.
The legend of "Mick the Quick" began during his amateur days at Miami-Dade Community College. An exceedingly fast and athletic outfielder, Rivers emerged as one of the stars of the baseball team, but suddenly went AWOL just moments before the start of a game. His teammates and coaches later discovered Rivers asleep under a nearby tree—in full uniform no less. Originally signed by the Atlanta Braves, Rivers began his big league career in 1970 with the Angels playing center field and third base, and stayed with them through the 1975 season. Rivers played part-time in his first few years, until becoming the starter in 1974. He led the league in triples both years and swiped a career-high 70 bases in 1975, tops in the American League.
Along with Ed Figueroa, Rivers was dealt to the Yankees in the 1975-76 off-season for Bobby Bonds, a trade which immediately paid dividends for the Yankees. Figueroa won 19 games and Rivers enjoyed a career year. Rivers was named to the All-Star team, batted .312, stole 43 bases and posted then-career highs in home runs (8) and runs batted in (67). Rivers placed third in the Most Valuable Player voting behind teammate Thurman Munson and George Brett and was named an outfielder on The Sporting News AL All-Star team.
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