WEEK 2/3 PLAYER OF THE WEEK - RICKY RIVERA BRAVES

Young Warrior Swings Big Tomahawk
Braves Rivera plays big in 2 Wins.

Ask him and he'll tell you its the top ramen or the chicken noodle he eats before, the game. Others say maybe its the protein shake, the two banana's or the three Raw eggs he chokes down before his two mile jog each day. Still friends insist its the three hundred pushups and situps performed just before bed. In our best guess, its the MMA training he's been involved in since 8 months of age. The one person who we at THE REPORT are convinced has to know the secret to the tremendous power displayed by Ricky Rivera is his dad, and he ain't saying a word. He's just standing there coaching third and watching his son slow up at second with yet another double.
You had to know it would be Ricks week after the first play of the game two Saturday's ago. Prior to the first pitch Braves manager Ken Woods noticed Rivera too deep in Center, He called out to him and brought him back into the park. The next pitch was a blooper looking as if it would fall in for a hit, but at the last second, Ricky came sliding in taking the ball of the tips of the grass. Not to shabby for a guy who just started playing outfield about a year ago. Rivera and Bryant Valenzuela currently swap between centerfield and secondbase. Both appear comfortable at either position simply adding to a very solid defense. But Defense doesn't usually get you a Player of the Week award from THE REPORT, it usually includes some significant work at the plate.
How about 4 for 8 with three doubles all of which reached the fence, two of those on one hop. Include 4 runs scored and 4 RBI, In just two games, a ten year old!! I didn't even have my first double until I was in ninth grade. A ten year old, putting dents in the fences of ballparks around Victorville. I know what you the reader are saying, Reggie was taking them out last year at ten, Turner, Saxon and you know you're right. But have you sat and compared a ten year old Reggie Lawson to Rick Rivera?Reggie was bigger at ten then I was at 20. Ricky's Power is no accident, Ricky may be the strongest player on the Braves and I am considering laying down this challenge to any Ribbons Major boy interested. Hit more doubles than Rick and you get the chance at THE RIBBONS REPORTS "WRESTLEMANIA 1" . Three minutes of full on wrestling. First we have to find some guys to hit more doubles than Rick. If anyone can do that, they've earned the invitation to prove they are far more explosive both on the field and in the ring than KID DYNAMITE. After the first guy, we'll see if there is anyone else interested in the possibility of having to comb their hair with their feet.

Getting back to the Player of the weeks performance; as if the power, the plays in centerfield and at secondbase weren't already enough, Rick (the 10 year old) closed out a win for the Braves as well. And with a strikeout no less. What a week.

"The Kid's still Mashin'"

Here's Rivera's up to date stats, not to shabby for one of the youngest kids in the league:

AVG.389, OBP .450, SLUG .611

HITS 7 DOUBLES 4

5 RBI'S AND 7 RUNS SCORED.

2 IP 0 Hits 1 Run in win over Yankees.

LOOKIN FORWARD TO SEEING SOME TEARS OUT OF YOU 12 YEAR OLDS THINKING YOU CAN TAKE HIM. JUST REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO CATCH HIM FIRST AND HE IS QUITE A FEW AHEAD OF MOST OF YOU.

CONGRATS RICKY KEEP POUNDING THE BALL!!!