Garry Maddox--1978
The other day I saw Pete Rose back
in Cincinnati and I was reminded of
Garry Maddox. How, you ask?
Well, it was 1986 and
player/manager Pete Rose was
coming back from a minor injury. With
an early batting practice set up in
Philadelphia for Rose, Cincinnati
clubhouse manager Bernie Stowe
was looking for shaggers. As the
Reds Traveling Secretary at the time,
I volunteered.
Living out the dream of being on a
big field, I took my place in centerfield
as Rose started to take his swings. It
was at this point I gained instant
respect for Garry Maddox.
Undetectable on television, I learned
that Veterans Stadium, like many of
the multi-purpose venues erected in
the 1970s, had a large crown on the
field. Unlike present day stadiums
that feature sophisticated drainage
systems; the crown that ran from left
field to first base, would allow for
water to run off the field when the
stadium was set up for football
games.
Standing out in centerfield and
looking into the batting cage; thanks
to the crown of the field, all I could
see was the top of half of Pete
batting.
I was amazed. On low balls, I couldn't
see the ball leave the bat. You would
hear the crack of the bat, but you
couldn't see ground balls until they
got past the crown. Fly balls were just
as difficult, rising from the top of
crown towards the outfield, they
would literally jump out at you.
Gliding through the National League
in the 1970s and '80s, Garry Maddox
ran down eight Gold Gloves
patrolling centerfield for the Phillies.
How Maddox won the Gold Gloves
playing half of his games in Veterans
Stadium is a small miracle in my
estimation.
While I would occasionally make fun
of a Garry with two "Rs" in his name; I
learned to respect the Gold Glover
that afternoon in Philadelphia while
Rose worked on his swing.
Editor's Note: Maddox would play 15
years in the majors; batting .285 with
a career .983 fielding average.
(10/12/09)
in Cincinnati and I was reminded of
Garry Maddox. How, you ask?
Well, it was 1986 and
player/manager Pete Rose was
coming back from a minor injury. With
an early batting practice set up in
Philadelphia for Rose, Cincinnati
clubhouse manager Bernie Stowe
was looking for shaggers. As the
Reds Traveling Secretary at the time,
I volunteered.
Living out the dream of being on a
big field, I took my place in centerfield
as Rose started to take his swings. It
was at this point I gained instant
respect for Garry Maddox.
Undetectable on television, I learned
that Veterans Stadium, like many of
the multi-purpose venues erected in
the 1970s, had a large crown on the
field. Unlike present day stadiums
that feature sophisticated drainage
systems; the crown that ran from left
field to first base, would allow for
water to run off the field when the
stadium was set up for football
games.
Standing out in centerfield and
looking into the batting cage; thanks
to the crown of the field, all I could
see was the top of half of Pete
batting.
I was amazed. On low balls, I couldn't
see the ball leave the bat. You would
hear the crack of the bat, but you
couldn't see ground balls until they
got past the crown. Fly balls were just
as difficult, rising from the top of
crown towards the outfield, they
would literally jump out at you.
Gliding through the National League
in the 1970s and '80s, Garry Maddox
ran down eight Gold Gloves
patrolling centerfield for the Phillies.
How Maddox won the Gold Gloves
playing half of his games in Veterans
Stadium is a small miracle in my
estimation.
While I would occasionally make fun
of a Garry with two "Rs" in his name; I
learned to respect the Gold Glover
that afternoon in Philadelphia while
Rose worked on his swing.
Editor's Note: Maddox would play 15
years in the majors; batting .285 with
a career .983 fielding average.
(10/12/09)
