View Full Version : Max Patkin, Brownie First Base Coach
portobob
12-05-2005, 05:47 PM
In about 1949 or '50 Bill Veeck hired funny man Max Patkin to coach first base. Patkin was a contortionist with a very large nose,big ears and a pot belly. The guy was hysterical. You couldn't look at him and keep your composure. He pulled his cap down over his ears so they flopped over, pulled his arms way up in his sleeves so just his hands appeared, pulled his belt low to project a large belly and gave hand signals and leg squats that were so absurd that opposing players would break up. If memory serves, after leaving the Browns he barnstormed the minor leagues for quite awhile before he retired.
Bill_McCurdy
12-06-2005, 03:21 PM
http://scd.mm-c1.yimg.com/image/1087697046 http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/library/columns/images/patkin_max_web.jpg http://scd.mm-a1.yimg.com/image/1602393382
With Max Patkin, each of his pictures really is worth a thousand words.
Aa3rt
12-06-2005, 05:59 PM
I've had the pleasure of seeing Max Patkin a couple of times. He even plays himself in the movie Bull Durham.
CaliforniaCajun
03-14-2006, 03:23 PM
In about 1949 or '50 Bill Veeck hired funny man Max Patkin to coach first base. Patkin was a contortionist with a very large nose,big ears and a pot belly. The guy was hysterical. You couldn't look at him and keep your composure. He pulled his cap down over his ears so they flopped over, pulled his arms way up in his sleeves so just his hands appeared, pulled his belt low to project a large belly and gave hand signals and leg squats that were so absurd that opposing players would break up. If memory serves, after leaving the Browns he barnstormed the minor leagues for quite awhile before he retired.
I saw him perform in Lafayette, Louisiana (then home of the Giants Texas League affiliate) in 1974, and I believe he worked quite a while after that. He passed away not too many years ago. He was preceded by Al Shack as the "Clown Prince of Baseball." I believe Patkin started out as a pitcher and hurt his arm. :crazy
TonyK
03-27-2006, 08:15 PM
I heard a movie is being made about his life. It should be a good one.