Schwartz: Catching Up With Yankees Favorites Mickey Rivers, Roy White
By Peter Schwartz
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They each sat at their own table and met with fans young and old. They shared stories from the past, exchanged pleasantries and smiles, and posed for pictures with everyone wearing Yankees gear as they signed autographs on balls, bats, pictures, and other memorabilia.
Former Yankees outfielders Roy White and Mickey Rivers are no strangers to the autograph circuit as they made a stop on Long Island this past Saturday, spending two hours signing and chatting it up with fans at Living Legends Memorabilia and Collectibles in Rockville Centre.
"I always enjoy the opportunity to meet with the fans," said White, a member of the Yankees world championship teams in 1977 and 1978. "I meet people that I signed autographs for when they were nine years old and they say I was one of the only guys that stopped and signed for them, so that's always good."
A common question that the two Yankees favorites were asked throughout the autograph session was how they thought the Yankees would do in 2016. After making the playoffs as a wild card last year, the Bombers are hoping for bigger and better things this year.
They agreed it could happen if key players avoid the disabled list.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the Yankees do better than what they did last year if they can stay healthy," said White, who also had three stints as the team's first base coach.
"As long as they can stay healthy, I can see us having a better chance to win the division," Rivers added.
Known as "Mick the Quick" during his playing days, Rivers was a teammate of White's on those championship teams in the '70s. During a 15-year major league career, Rivers flashed his leather patrolling centerfield for the Angels, Yankees, and Rangers.
With that said, he feels that a big season from current Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is vital for the Bombers to have a successful campaign.
"Oh definitely, I think he'll be a great part of the Yankees as long as he stays healthy," Rivers said.
White spent his entire 15-year career with the Yankees before a three-year run with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. A solid switch-hitter, White was a terrific left fielder and a two-time All-Star. Knowing what it was like to be a part of a winning team, White was particularly happy with a key acquisition the Yankees made during the offseason.
"I think the team is a little more solid now with Starlin Castro coming in to play second base," White said. "I think he's going to add some offense to that lineup."
The Yankees also added another big arm in left-hander Aroldis Chapman. Once his suspension is over, Chapman will be the closer in a powerful bullpen that also includes Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller on the back end.
When White was patrolling the Yankees' outfield, he played with top-notch closers Rich "Goose" Gossage and Sparky Lyle. But back then, the role was different than it is now. Gossage and Lyle didn't have the luxury of set-up guys.
"They usually came in and threw two or three innings to close out a game," White said. "This bullpen they have now is basically unhittable with what they have out there. All they have to do is make sure they have a lead going into the sixth inning and they're going to win a lot of ballgames."
While the Yankees won 87 games last season and made the playoffs as a wild card, the other team in town did a little better.
Let's be honest ... the Mets did a lot better. They won the NL East with 90 wins and then went on to win the pennant before losing to the Royals in the World Series.
So, has New York become a "Mets" town?
"It's hard to answer that," White said. "I don't know if it's a Mets town, but they have a little bit more hype going because they've did so well last year."
When White and Rivers played for the Yankees, it really wasn't a rivalry like it is now. Back then, there were spring training games and the annual midseason "Mayor's Trophy" game. Today, there is Interleague play between the Yankees and Mets and they also squared off in the 2000 World Series.
It sounds like it's a lot easier for Yankees of the past to show any affection for the Amazins.
"I always liked the Mets," Rivers said. "I'll watch them. The Mets had a great season and I'm looking forward to seeing them do it again."
Hey Mickey, try selling that to the current Yankees and their fans.
White and Rivers enjoyed some great times with the Yankees. Many of those memorable moments came up during our discussion on Saturday.
If things go well this year, maybe they'll hear the cheers from 50,000 fans if they are in attendance for Yankees postseason games.
You can visit Living Legends by clicking here.
Don't forget to follow Pete on Twitter at @pschwartzcbsfan
