SB Nation - Luis Rivera

Toronto Blue Jays' Official Comment Regarding Yunel Escobar

Minor Leaguer — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 01:25:40 -0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, ONTARIO
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012

BLUE JAYS COMMENT REGARDING ESCOBAR

The Toronto Blue Jays do not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday’s game. The club takes this situation seriously and is investigating the matter.

Alex Anthopoulos, Sr. VP Baseball Operations and General Manager will be available to the media tomorrow afternoon at Yankee Stadium and we expect him to be joined by Yunel Escobar, Manager John Farrell and Coach Luis Rivera. Details and location for the media availability will be announced tomorrow.

Commentary: I am glad that the Blue Jays decided to make a statement tonight rather than waiting for tomorrow. The knee-jerk reaction nature of the Twitter (and the rest of the Internet) have made the five hours or so since fan photographer @james_in_to released the first picture of the offensive words on Escobar's eyeblack seem like an eternity. I am happy to see the club making it clear that it does not condone what Escobar did last Saturday--I expect a more extensive response tomorrow. The club needs to be given time to fully investigate the issue, and Yunel Escobar deserves a chance to somehow defend or apologize for his actions.

I am eager to see what Anthopoulos, Farrell, Rivera, and Escobar will say tomorrow at the press conference. I just hope it is not one of those boring pressers where everyone apologizes from a script and makes vague statements of how they are going to prevent it in the future.

This can be a learning (and growing) moment for Escobar and the ballclub--let's hope they make the best of this situation.

Jays Add Luis Rivera to Coaching Staff

Tom Dakers — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:33:12 -0000

Here is the Press Release:

BLUE JAYS ADD RIVERA TO STAFF

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have appointed LUIS RIVERA to the position of Major League Coaching Assistant as part of John Farrell's staff.

RIVERA, 46, recently completed his first season in the Blue Jays organization serving as Manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League (AA). Rivera led the team to the playoffs where they were defeated in the Eastern Division final after a 79-62 regular season record.

The Cidra, Puerto Rico native appeared in 781 Major League games from 1986 through 1998 with Montreal, Boston, New York (NL), Houston and Kansas City. The right-handed hitting infielder then began his coaching career with the Cleveland Indians organization in 2000 where he spent ten seasons before joining the Blue Jays. Rivera captured South Atlantic League Manager of the Year honours in 2003 before later joining Cleveland's Major League staff as the First Base and Infield Coach from 2006 through 2009. Including the 2010 season, he now owns a minor league managerial record of 325-235 (.580).

Tom back: I guess for those who were wondering if the Jays needed a Spanish speaking coach, we now have one. What his actual duties will be, I don't know, since we have the normal allotment of coaches already. But there isn't anything in the rules that says we can't have more. He was a middle infielder in the majors so he can likely help working with the infielders as well as be an interpreter when needed.

Added: Richard Griffin thwips that if Wakamatsu were to leave the team, say for the Met's manager job, Lovullo would move to bench coach and Rivera would be first base coach.

More on the Search for a New Manager

Tom Dakers — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:24:22 -0000

Shi Davidi has twitted that Rob Thompson, Dave Martinez, Sal Fasano and Luis Rivera are all out of the running for the Jay's manager job.

He also said that DeMarlo Hale and Sandy Alomar are still in the running. And that he believes that Butterfield and Roenicke and 'others' are still in the running. Also said that he thinks that Butterfield makes the most sense.

I don't see Sandy Alomar, Jr at all. Not only has he not managed before anywhere but the closest he has come is first base coach. Not to insult first base coaches but that's about as far away from the manager spot as you can be in the coaching staff. Though there are more catchers that become managers than any other position on the field, but I can't see them giving the job to someone that hasn't managed before.