1976 Topps #85 - Mickey Rivers

• Mick the Quick played outfield for 15 seasons (1970-1984) for three teams. He got his start with the California Angels, splitting time between AAA and the majors from 1970-1973. Mickey stuck with the Angels in 1974 and led the AL with 11 triples. He also stole 30 bases that year.

• Mickey's last year with the Angels (1975) was a good one. He led the league in triples again (13) and also led in stolen bases (70). After the 1975 season, Rivers was traded with Ed Figueroa to the New York Yankees for Bobby Bonds.

• Rivers had his only All-Star season in 1976. He batted .312 with 43 stolen bases and 95 runs scored. Mickey was 3rd in MVP voting. He had good years in 1977 and 1978 as the Yankee starting center fielder.

• In August 1979 Mickey was traded with a bunch of players to be named later to the Rangers for Oscar Gamble and another bunch of players to be named later. He had a good year in 1980, batting .333 with 210 hits and 96 runs scored. Mickey batted .286 in 1981, which was his last year as a full-time outfielder. He batted only 68 times in 1982 (he had knee and ankle injuries). Mickey played more as a DH than as an outfielder in 1983 and 1984 and then was released in spring training of 1985.

• Mickey put up some good numbers in three American League Championship Series, batting .386 in 57 at bats. He didn't do as well in the World Series, batting .238 in 63 at bats.

• Mickey Rivers was a great one for a quote.
• Here is a 2003 Sports Illustrated "where are they now" article about Rivers.
• Here is a Sports Illustrated article from 1980 -- "Life with Gozzlehead"