When you're wrong, you're wrong

Writing a blog, or a sports column, is a lot like being a major league hitter. You're going to hit some, and miss some.

On Monday, I mentioned one I had connected on back in mid-June, correctly predicting the Angels would jump on a 15-game stretch against the weaker National League West. They did just that, winning 12 of the 15 games.

Now it's time to admit one I whiffed on.

Unlike some in the organization, I had never been a huge admirer of Juan Rivera. I thought he was a decent enough player, who, in the best of circumstances, would hit maybe .280, finish with 22 or 23 home runs and perhaps 80 RBIs. Not bad, mind you.

Just nothing to get excited about. Kind of like Rivera's demeanor. He is about as personable as a foul pole, a quiet, introverted type who rarely says anything in the clubhouse and claims not to speak English, though there are those who think that's just a ploy to avoid reporters.

In other words, he is everything Torii Hunter is not. That doesn't make him a bad guy. It simply makes him easy to overlook. Rivera is an average outfielder with not much range and a decent arm. On the bases, he is a plodder who can rarely get you that extra base, even with two outs.

Watching him a year ago, I couldn't figure out why the Angels would shell out $12.5 million to extend him for three more seasons.

Obviously, though, the Rivera of a year ago wasn't 100 percent. His broken leg hadn't completely healed, and a lot of us didn't take that into account.

The Rivera we're watching now is a completely different player, hitting .307, bombing clutch home runs on a consistent basis, like the two-run job that broke open last night's big game with Texas, and rocking along at close to a 100-RBI pace.

And unlike most power hitters, Rivera usually makes contact. He has struck out just 25 times in 251 at-bats, a statistic only the Albert Pujols types can usually muster.

The veteran outfielder has been one of the big keys behind the Angels' turnaround, providing surprising power, along with Kendry Morales, that becomes more and more important as Vlad Guerrero continues to struggle to hit anything but singles.

Suddenly, with Rivera and Morales teaming with Hunter and, occasionally Mike Napoli, this team has some legitimate pop. And believe me, there were plenty of times this season when I never thought I'd say that.

So yes, I blew this one. I don't think I was alone. There aren't many Angels fans out there who thought this guy would turn into a legitimate No. 4 or 5 hitter.

But he has. I've been critical of the front office in the past, but not this time.

This time, Juan Rivera is proving them right.

-- Steve Bisheff

Photo: Angels' Juan Rivera hits a solo home run in the 4th inning off Seattle's Jarrod Washburn on 4/26/09 at Angel Stadium.

  

Comments

[l.a.guy]

I'm surprised you weren't high on Rivera, it seemed to me when he was healthy, and got a chance to play regularly, he had been a consistent producer. The most pleasant surprise to me as been Morales; so far his power numbers have been better than expected but maybe equally important, he's played decent first base. If he had been a liability at first it would have put Scioscia in a tough spot.

Unrelated to Rivera, but I couldn't help noticing that the Angels turn around has coincided not only with playing NL teams but also with Maicer Izturis taking over at second. Is it possible Scioscia's affection for Izzy was well placed?

[John]

I thought he was this good.....

[Stephen C. Smith]

When Kendry Morales had his "coming out" press conference at Rancho Cucamonga in May 2005, a female reporter from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin solved the language barrier ... by asking her questions in Spanish.

That was after waiting patiently for ten minutes while the L.A. Times reporter monopolized the conference, asking one question after another, blowing off his colleagues.

Seems to me that if sportswriters want to have a better relationship with Latin players, maybe they should show more respect for the players. Learning a little Spanish might help.

[shaun]

I always felt Rivera needed a shot at the OF, I just couldn't figure out why MS kept playing GMJ over him so much last season. Just look at his 2006 season and that seemed to demonstrate that he could perform at a decent level for a corner OF.

[Caliphilosopher]

Don't worry, apology accepted. :-)

I could see flashes of his ability a couple of years ago, when he was getting regular playing time. I'm not surprised at all to see him do this well.

And you're not the only one who made this mistake. I'm pretty sure (if my memory is correct) that Rob Neyer said he wasn't going to do much at all. So much for poor inductive arguments.

[Buffalo Rob]

Juan Rivera has put up good numbers in the past when he was healthy (i.e. no broken leg) and getting consistent AB's. His production in the second half of 2004 (when he was in Montreal) was stellar. In 2007, the year he got the most playing time with the Halos by far, he put up great numbers as well. It's great to see him shine in his expanded role this season.

He's also a class act. I saw him interact with some fans outside Angel Stadium early in June before a Sunday afternoon game and he was very gracious about signing autographs and having his picture taken. As far as I can tell, he's a legitimately good guy.

[Brian C.]

My friend and I have been saying for the last 3 years that if the Angels give Rivera the chance to play everyday that he would produce. So far it's happened. Just like Kendry Morales. Give him the every day at bats and see what could happen. You hearing this Scioscia?......bring Wood up and say shortstop is yours. You may be surprised at what he will do.

[Tom S]

Right about Rivera. I too did not think he was worthy.
Looks like Figgins will have to move to second base to accomodate Wood. Yes we still need more power. So rotate Issy and Aybar at short, and let Wood play third.