Max Patkin, Brownie First Base Coach

[portobob]

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]

3,000 Words Worth!



With Max Patkin, each of his pictures really is worth a thousand words.

[Aa3rt]

I've had the pleasure of seeing Max Patkin a couple of times. He even plays himself in the movie Bull Durham.

[CaliforniaCajun]

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.

[TonyK]

I heard a movie is being made about his life. It should be a good one.

[Chuck]

I saw Max Patkin at Sportsman's Park in 1951 as a 7 year old. Between one pair of innings he brought out onto the field a big washtub and filled it with water from a hose. Then he got in and took a bath, with soap and a back scrubber. I don't remember much of the game. First time I had seen grown men run. I thought they looked funny. Before the start there was set up a basketball court on the infield and an exhibition game was played. That Veeck was a great promoter, way ahead of his time.