Jim Rivera

Jim Rivera
Outfielder
Born: July 22, 1922 (1922-07-22) (age 89) New York, New York
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 15, 1952 for the St. Louis Browns
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 1961 for the Kansas City Athletics
Career statistics
Batting average	.256
Hits	911
Runs	503
Stolen bases	160
Teams
St. Louis Browns (1952) Chicago White Sox (1953-1961) Kansas City Athletics (1961)
Career highlights and awards
AL lead with 16 Triples in 1953 Tied for MLB lead with 25 steals in 1955

Manuel Joseph "Jim" Rivera (born July 22, 1922) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and left-handed batter who played for the St. Louis Browns (1952), Chicago White Sox (1952–1961) and Kansas City Athletics (1961). Born to Puerto Rican immigrants in New York, NY, he was called "Jungle Jim" due largely to his unorthodox playing style, and for his highly extroverted personality. Rivera threw and batted left-handed; he stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 196 pounds (89 kg) in his playing days.

In the 1950s, Rivera was a sparkplug for the White Sox. A smart and fast runner, he ran the bases with abandon, sliding into bases on his belly before it was fashionable, and made many a game-saving catch in the right field. A ground ball hitter, he used his speed to full advantage and was a much tougher in clutch situations.

In 1955 Rivera led the American League in stolen bases, being six times runner-up behind Minnie Miñoso (1952–53), Jackie Jensen (1954) and Luis Aparicio (1956–58).

In his 10-year career Rivera batted .256 with 83 home runs, 422 RBIs, 503 runs, 155 doubles, 56 triples, and 160 stolen bases in 1171 games played.

Jim Rivera said Whitey Ford was the "toughest" pitcher he ever faced, and the nickname "Jungle Jim" came from a writer at The Chicago Sun Times referencing the way Rivera ran the bases head first.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball triples champions
• List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Baseball Library
• Smiley, Richard, Jim Rivera, SABR Baseball Biography Project

Preceded by Jackie Jensen

American League Stolen Base Champion 1955

Succeeded by Luis Aparicio

Persondata
Name	Rivera, Jim
Alternative names
Short description	American baseball player
Date of birth	July 22, 1922
Place of birth	New York, New York
Date of death
Place of death