Rivers: A-Rod not like Reggie

New York Magazine’s Daily Intel blog posted an interview with one-time Yankee Mickey Rivers today. Rivers played center field for the 1977 World Champion team and made headlines for his bad relationship with Reggie Jackson.

In the interview, which coincides with the debut of ESPN’s The Bronx is Burning, Rivers talks about Reggie and Alex Rodriguez, the latest Yankee superstar living down a tough reputation. Says Rivers when asked if A-Rod is the new Reggie:

A-Rod don’t want to be the straw that stirs the drink. He want to be known as a fair guy who goes out and help a team to win a pennant. He’s a great guy. I work with him. Going on twenty years I’ve seen A-Rod getting better in different programs. He’s one of the hardest-working guys there.

It’s an interesting take from someone who’s been around the game non-stop for nearly 40 years. A-Rod’s off-field reputation, it seems, is largely undeserved. Anyway, check out the interview. It’s a good read.