Major League Draft

 

1968, (January 27th):  Selected by Chicago White Sox in the 1st round (13th pick overall) of the free-agent draft - did not sign

1968, (June 7th):  Selected by New York Mets in the 8th round of the secondary phase of free-agent draft - did not sign

1969, (February 1st):  Selected by Washington Senators in the 1st round (8th pick overall) of the secondary phase of free-agent draft - did not sign

1969, (June 5th):  Selected by Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round (40th pick overall) of the secondary phase of free-agent draft.  He was signed by Johnny Groth of the Atlanta Braves in 1969.

 

 

California Angels

 

1969, (Septebmer 8th): The California Angels acquired Rivers from the Atlanta Braves along with pitcher Clint Compton in exchange for pitchers Bob Priddy and Hoyt Wilhelm.

1970, (August 4th):  Major League debut for the Angels @ Oakland A's (went 0-2, debuted as a PH and then played RF)

1970, (September 9th):  First Major League Hit for the California Angels @ Chicago White Sox (Hit off Gerry Janeski)

1970, (September 28th):  First Major League Stolen Base for the California Angels @ Cleveland Indians (Stolen on Catcher Ed Herrmann)
1971, (August 15th):  First Major League Home Run for the California Angels @ Washington Senators (Hit off Dick Bosman)
1974:  Became a Major League Regular with the California Angels

1975, (September 28th):  Last game with the  Angels was @ Oakland A's (went 0-1)

 

 

New York Yankees

 

1975, (December 11th):  New York Yankees acquired Rivers from the California Angels along with pitcher Ed Figueroa in exchange for outfielder Bobby Bonds

1976, (April 8th):  First  game as a Yankee vs. Milwaukee Brewers (went 1-4)

1976, (July 13th):  Only All-Star Appearance was with the New York Yankees in Philadelphia, PA.  He finished 4th in AL votes for outfielders receiving 1,431,346 votes
1979, (July 29th):  Last game with the Yankees was @ Milwaukee Brewers (went 0-4)

 

 

Texas Rangers

 

1979, (July 30th):  Texas Rangers acquired Rivers from the New York Yankees along with minor league pitchers Bob Polinsky, Neal Mersch, and Mark Softy in exchange for outfielder Oscar Gamble and minor leaguers Amos Lewis, Gene Nelson, and Ray Fontenot.  He arrived late and entered the game as a pinch hitter to play his first game for the Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers on July 30, 1979 (went 1-2 getting a hit in his first AB as a Ranger).

1984, (September 30th):  Last game as a Major Leaguer came as a Texas Ranger vs. California Angels (went 0-3, striking out twice).  His final at bat was a strike out  that helped preserve Mike Witt's no-hit bid.

1985, (April 4th):  Placed on irrevocable waivers by the Texas Rangers three (3) days prior to the end of spring training. Though media reports indicated that the New York Mets and Toronto Bluey Jays showed interest, neither team signed him.  He later voluntarily retired.

 

 

 

Major League Service:  12 Years, 98 Days