BASEBALL NOTES ASSOCIATED PRESS March 12 — Ruben Rivera was released from the New York Yankees after stealing a glove and bat from Derek Jeter’s locker, a baseball source said Tuesday. A baseball lawyer familiar with the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Rivera took the equipment from Jeter’s locker at spring training and sold them to a sports memorabilia agent. Rivera reportedly returned the glove and bat, which he sold for $2,500, but it was too late to save his career with the Yankees.
Derek Jeter's Bat- $200 Derek Jeter's Glove- $350 Getting kicked off the Yankees by your teammates- Priceless
Whatever. Jeter's bat is kind of contaminated... its sort of like Lucifer's sword in some respects...
I dont think this was a joke, which is sad. But I hear this Rivera kid is pretty good. I hope someone else picks him up and gives him another chance... unless he has done this before.... in that case he can burn in hell.
More sad actually is that was his cousin, Mariano Rivera, who get him the chance to play with the Yankees, according to another report. Just imagine how he must feel right now.
Ruben, at one time, was one of the the hottest prospects in the Yankee's system. He had the tools to become a good Major Leaguer. He was given a chance to crack the Yankees lineup in 1996. He didn't impress, striking out 26 times in 86 at bats. He was traded to the Padres the next season and has struggled ever since (as his .218 lifetime batting average will attest to). Here is Ruben's earnings for each year at the Major League level: Salaries 1996 NewYorkY $109,000 1997 NewYorkY $158,800 1998 SanDiego $182,500 1999 SanDiego $265,000 2000 SanDiego $700,000 2001 Cincnnti $1,000,000
What Finn said. I recall Rivera being hyped up out the wazoo. He will be lucky to catch on with another team in lieu of this asinine incident.
I just can't understand why he would want the money. It makes no sense. maybe he had something against Jeter. 'Cause $2,500 just ain't worth it.
Why steal a Jeter bat when you can send them your own bat and say that it was Jeter's. That's how stupid he was. He's had some impressive springs if I remember correctly, but he's never put it together during the season. A lot of power, but too much k.
He had a guaranteed contract of 1 mil for this year. He ended up with a 200k buyout after this fiasco.
I'm not sure what's worse, this or Pat Croce's brother stealing Benjamins form Iverson's wallet!?!? People never cease to amaze me.
Kind of like the entire Red Sox organization, wouldn't you say Nomar?! This is going to be a fun season!
Yeah, this will be a fun season. We will have a legit pitching staff, and our superstars will be back to full strength. GO SOX!