Rivera was born to Puerto Rican migrants in New York City. He was first called "Jim" when he was 17, "Big Jim" when he started playing for the Chicago White Sox during the 1952 season, and then "Jungle Jim" in 1953 which was initiated by Chicago Sun-Timessports writerEdgar Munzel.[1] This was due largely to his unorthodox playing style, and for his highly extroverted personality. Rivera threw and batted left-handed; he stood 6 feet tall and weighed 196 pounds during his playing days.
In 1953, he led the American League in triples (16) and in 1955 in stolen bases with 25. He was a sparkplug for the 1950s Go-Go White Sox team which eventually won the American League pennant in 1959.
A smart and fast runner, Rivera ran the bases with abandon, sliding into bases on his belly before it was fashionable, and made many a game-saving catch playing right field. A ground ball hitter, he used his speed to full advantage and was a much tougher in clutch situations. However, in that year's World Series, which the White Sox lost in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rivera went hitless in 11 at-bats.
At age 40, Rivera appeared in 64 games for the Kansas City A's during the 1961 season, hitting .241 to cap his career. Rivera said Whitey Ford was the "toughest" pitcher he ever faced and he liked it when he was called "Big Jim."
^"Clipped From Democrat and Chronicle". Democrat and Chronicle. May 5, 1979. p. 7 – via newspapers.com.
^"Former White Sox outfielder Jim Rivera dies at 96".
External links
Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Smiley, Richard, Jim Rivera, SABR Baseball Biography Project
March 14, 2023
rivera, manuel, joseph, rivera, july, 1921, november, 2017, american, professional, baseball, outfielder, played, three, major, league, baseball, teams, over, seasons, louis, browns, 1952, chicago, white, 1952, 1961, kansas, city, athletics, 1961, outfielderbo. Manuel Joseph Jim Rivera July 22 1921 November 13 2017 was an American professional baseball outfielder He played for three Major League Baseball MLB teams over ten seasons St Louis Browns 1952 Chicago White Sox 1952 1961 and Kansas City Athletics 1961 Jim RiveraOutfielderBorn 1921 07 22 July 22 1921New York City New York U S Died November 13 2017 2017 11 13 aged 96 Fort Wayne Indiana U S Batted LeftThrew LeftMLB debutApril 15 1952 for the St Louis BrownsLast MLB appearanceSeptember 30 1961 for the Kansas City AthleticsMLB statisticsBatting average 256Home runs83Runs batted in422TeamsSt Louis Browns 1952 Chicago White Sox 1952 1961 Kansas City Athletics 1961 Career highlights and awardsAL stolen base leader 1955 Contents 1 Career 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksCareer EditRivera was born to Puerto Rican migrants in New York City He was first called Jim when he was 17 Big Jim when he started playing for the Chicago White Sox during the 1952 season and then Jungle Jim in 1953 which was initiated by Chicago Sun Times sports writer Edgar Munzel 1 This was due largely to his unorthodox playing style and for his highly extroverted personality Rivera threw and batted left handed he stood 6 feet tall and weighed 196 pounds during his playing days In 1953 he led the American League in triples 16 and in 1955 in stolen bases with 25 He was a sparkplug for the 1950s Go Go White Sox team which eventually won the American League pennant in 1959 A smart and fast runner Rivera ran the bases with abandon sliding into bases on his belly before it was fashionable and made many a game saving catch playing right field A ground ball hitter he used his speed to full advantage and was a much tougher in clutch situations However in that year s World Series which the White Sox lost in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers Rivera went hitless in 11 at bats Rivera had a 256 lifetime batting average with 83 home runs 422 RBIs 503 runs 155 doubles and 56 triples in 1 171 games played He also had a career total of 160 stolen bases and a lifetime 978 fielding average At age 40 Rivera appeared in 64 games for the Kansas City A s during the 1961 season hitting 241 to cap his career Rivera said Whitey Ford was the toughest pitcher he ever faced and he liked it when he was called Big Jim Rivera would go on to be a part owner and manager for both the Fort Wayne Scouts 1979 and Fort Wayne Huggie Bears 1980 who played in two men s professional softball leagues 2 3 Rivera died on November 13 2017 at the age of 96 4 See also EditList of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leadersReferences Edit Jungle Jim Rivera member of 1959 Go Go White Sox dies at 96 Chicago Sun Times Tuesday November 14 2017 Professional Slow Pitch Softball History www angelfire com Clipped From Democrat and Chronicle Democrat and Chronicle May 5 1979 p 7 via newspapers com Former White Sox outfielder Jim Rivera dies at 96 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from Baseball Reference or Baseball Reference Minors Smiley Richard Jim Rivera SABR Baseball Biography Project Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Rivera amp oldid 1133709888, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
