Wednesday, March 13, 2002
Ex-Red Rivera accused of locker theft
Jeter's glove, bat were items allegedly sold
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — A baseball player's locker is a sacred place — the one private place in his very public world. Former Red Ruben Rivera learned that invading that sanctum can be a serious offense.
Once one of the most promising prospects in baseball, Rivera was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Yankees after being accused of taking a bat and glove from teammate Derek Jeter's locker.
“That type of thing is a shock,” manager Joe Torre said Tuesday. “It's sad. It's unfortunate.”
Rivera, who played with the Reds last year, was not given a second chance by the Yankees.
“We look at this as our house and this is our family,” reliever Mike Stanton said. “We spend more time here than we do with our real families. This was something that had to be dealt with quickly and as discretely as possible, but that's not possible in this age.”
None of the Yankees players or officials would publicly say why Rivera was cut. But a baseball lawyer familiar with the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Rivera took the equipment from Jeter's locker and sold it to a sports memorabilia agent.
Rivera later returned the glove and bat, which he reportedly sold for $2,500, but it was too late to save his career with the Yankees.
He signed a $1 million, one-year guaranteed contract last month, but the team negotiated a $200,000 settlement, the source said.
“The clubhouse is a special place,” Torre said. “It's our sanctuary. It's big part of what we do. Trust is very important.”
Jeter declined to comment, saying he didn't “want to add fuel to the fire.” Rivera also refused to comment Monday before leaving the team.
Clubhouse thefts aren't common, but two notable ones became public last year.
Philadelphia 76ers conditioning coach John Croce, the brother of then-team president Pat Croce, was fired after he was caught on videotape stealing money from Allen Iverson's pants in the locker room.
New Orleans receiver Albert Connell was arrested last year on charges he stole more than $4,000 from teammate Deuce McAllister.
Like that of most players, Jeter's locker is filled with shoes, bats, uniforms and gloves — which he considers his most precious baseball item. Other valuables are usually locked away.
Jeter sells most of his game-used equipment through Steiner Sports Memorabilia to raise money for his Turn 2 Foundation for children. Brandon Steiner, the head of the company, said the sales generate more than $250,000 a year.
Complicating matters is that Rivera is a cousin of closer Mariano Rivera, who played a role in bringing the outfielder back this season.
“I am disappointed,” Mariano Rivera said. “I prefer not to talk about it.”
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Ex-Red Rivera accused of locker theft
