Yankees cut OF Rivera for stealing Jeter's glove, bat

CNN Sports Illustrated ^ | Tuesday March 12, 2002

[dead]

I would think "company theft" might negate any contract, but I'm no lawyer.

And why no criminal charges?

[Harrison Bergeron]

"Didn't that just happen to the Asst. GM of the 76'ers who was nailed by a camera swiping several thousand dollars from Alan Iverson's locker?"

Not the GM, it was a lowly trainer who happened to be GM Pat Croce's younger brother. The amount taken was reportedly chump change. Croce went on to demand the corporate presidency of the Sixers organization when his GM contract was up. He was shown the door. Croce's career was built more on chutzpa than talent. When Croce himself was the head trainer for the Philadelphia Flyers, their injured list hit an all time high. He was shown the door by the Flyers too.

[FreedomPoster]

He was promptly run out of town after a video camera showed him stealing money from another player's locker.

Guess he had trouble overcoming his likely HS and college behavior once he hit the big time.

[BronzePencil]

the ny post reported mariano and ruben are cousins
will the memorabilia agent be charged with receiving stolen property?

[HamiltonJay]

This guy forfeited a $1-million contract for $2,500!!! Guess crime doesn't pay.

Actually he got $2500 for the equipment and $200k for being fired and is now free to sign with a new team... not a bright move, but he still got 200k for being a theif.... gotta love professional sports...

[eastsider]

If only he'd have shot a man or raped a woman, he probably could have kept his contract. </cynicism>

[rabidralph]

He'll probably end up with the Orioles. Nobody on that team has any equipment worth stealing.

[SamAdams76]

Did some research on the Mendoza line and there are actually two answers to the question "What is the Mendoza line." Mario Mendoza, who played for the Pirates, Mariners and Rangers (1974-82) had a lifetime batting average of .215 and when the term was first coined, that was the average that was used. However, starting around 1988, sports broadcasters "rounded" it down to .200 and that has been the de facto Mendoza line standard ever since.

So it appears that Rivera was just above the original Mendoza line at .218. Still a pretty lousy lifetime average. I thought only the Red Sox were stupid enough to pay a .218 hitter a million dollars a year.

Well at least Mario Mendoza never ripped off his fellow ballplayers.

[SamAdams76]

There isn't a team in MLB who would sign Rivera. His major league baseball career is over.