German Rivera, Funny Game - 305

German Rivera didn't hit it that hard, he told The Toledo Blade after this July 1987 game, but it was just right.

But, in the top of the ninth inning, the ball got down and resulted in two runs and a Toledo lead, The Blade wrote.

"Baseball is a funny game," Rivera told The Blade afterward. "What I needed was a little luck."

Baseball was a game where Rivera saw the majors in parts of three seasons to that point, including one where he got into 94 games. He went on to play a season in Japan, but he never returned to the bigs.

Rivera's career began in 1977, signed by the Dodgers as a free agent out of his native Puerto Rico.

Rivera played his first season in 1978 between rookie Lethbridge and single-A Clinton. He then played his next three seasons at single-A, including time at Clinton, Vero Beach and Lodi.

At Lodi in 1981, Rivera hit .266 with 13 home runs. He also won league all-star honors. He went 2 for 4, scoring twice in a July game.

Rivera made AA San Antonio in 1982 then AAA Albuquerque in 1983. He then made Los Angeles as a September call up.

In 13 games for the Dodgers in 1983, Rivera picked up six hits in 17 at bats. He then returned in 1984 and became a regular.

Rivera hit .260 for the Dodgers in 1984, getting into 94 games. He also hit two home runs. In April, he knocked in a run on a double.

Rivera's major league time in 1985 was limited to another 13 games with the Astros. He hit just .194 and never got back.

He moved to the Tigers system and AAA in 1986, staying there in 1987. He played with the Brewers at AAA Denver in 1988. He hit .300 with 21 home runs, but he didn't see Milwaukee.

In 1989, Rivera moved to Japan, playing for Kintetsu. He hit 25 home runs for the club over 123 games. His average came in at .260.

Rivera returned stateside in 1990, playing one final season in affiliated ball. He spent the year at AAA Indianapolis for the Expos.

Rivera then moved on to Mexico. He's recorded as playing six seasons there, his last in 1996 with Minatitlan.

• Toledo Blade, July 12, 1987: Rivera Delivers For Hens

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,802
Made the Majors: 845 - 46.9%-X
Never Made Majors: 957-53.1%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 362
10+ Seasons in the Minors:213