Other intriguing 'Burgh athletes who wore 69: Pirates' Bronson Arroyo, Steelers' Gabe Rivera

Pitt’s Randy Dixon was an All-American offensive lineman, and in the estimation of the Tribune-Review sports staff, the best Pittsburgh athlete to wear the No. 69 jersey, but two others should not be forgotten:

• Pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who spent three years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Defensive tackle Gabe Rivera, who spent six games with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Arroyo was the Pirates’ third-round draft choice in 1995 as an 18-year-old. He pitched three seasons in Pittsburgh (2000-02), but the Pirates lost interest and the Boston Red Sox claimed him on waivers in 2003.

Arroyo pitched only three seasons in Boston, but he won 14 games in 2005 and was with the Red Sox in 2004 when they won their first World Series in 86 years.

Arroyo compiled a 15.45 ERA in four innings of the ALCS, the one in which the Red Sox recovered from a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees to win the best-of-seven series.

Finally, he found a home in Cincinnati and spent most of his 16-year major-league career with the Reds.

Before retiring after the 2017 season, Arroyo was the last active baseball player who had appeared at Three Rivers Stadium, which was demolished in 2001.

Arroyo, who played past his 40th birthday, never missed a scheduled start in sandlots, high school, the minors or majors, according to sports writer Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News.

Wrote McCoy: “Clearly, his arm is made of synthetic rubber, Body by Goodyear.”

Arroyo made 383 career starts, throwing at least 199 innings in nine consecutive seasons. He had a career record of 148-137, with a 4.28 ERA (9-14, 5.44 with the Pirates).

Asked how he acquired his first name, Arroyo told McCoy his mother liked tough-guy actor Charles Bronson.

Arroyo has a show-business side himself and has been performing for several years with his cover band, The Bronson Arroyo Band.

He told the Portland (Maine) Press Herald he didn’t pick up an instrument until one day in Altoona with the Pirates’ Double-A farm team. He started messing around with an acoustic guitar someone had left in the clubhouse, prompting the Curve’s general manager to offer his old Yamaha. A star was born.

In 2005, he recorded an album, “Covering The Bases.” The band was performing as late as last year.

Rivera was a first-round draft choice in 1983 (No. 21 overall), selected when Dan Marino was available.

Sadly, Rivera was injured in an automobile accident driving home from practice and was paralyzed for life. He had played in only six games, recording two sacks.

Nicknamed “Señor Sack” during his time at Texas Tech, Rivera was an All-American and Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1982.

Rivera died in 2018 at the age of 57, six years after his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Today, we mourn the passing of Red Raider legend and @TexasTechFB Ring of Honor member, Gabe Rivera. #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/0PdZ0kZe0R

— Texas Tech Red Raiders (@TechAthletics) July 17, 2018

He told the Associated Press in 2012, “From the accident in ‘83, it took maybe five, six, eight years to get control (of my life). At one time, I just changed my life and started going forward. I was mad at the world, mad at God.”

He said he tried not to think about could have been.

“You try not to, but your mind tells you these things and it’s like, ‘I probably could have done that,’ ” he said. “It’s kind of hard sometimes.”