{{Short description|American baseball player, manager, coach, and scout (1915–1989)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Max Macon |position=Pitcher / First baseman |birth_date={{Birth date|1915|10|14}} |birth_place=Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |death_date={{death date and age|1989|8|5|1915|10|14}} |death_place=Jupiter, Florida, U.S. |bats=Left |throws=Left |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=April 21 |debutyear=1938 |debutteam=St. Louis Cardinals |finalleague = MLB |finaldate=April 17 |finalyear=1947 |finalteam=Boston Braves |statleague = MLB |stat1label=Win–loss record |stat1value=17–19 |stat2label=Earned run average |stat2value=4.24 |stat3label=Batting average |stat3value=.265 |teams= * St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|1938}}) * Brooklyn Dodgers ({{mlby|1940}}, {{mlby|1942}}–{{mlby|1943}}) * Boston Braves ({{mlby|1944}}, {{mlby|1947}}) }}
'''Max Cullen Macon ''' (October 14, 1915 – August 5, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball player, a minor league player-manager and pitching coach, and a professional baseball scout. Born in Pensacola, Florida, he threw and batted left-handed, stood {{convert|6|ft|3|in}} tall and weighed {{convert|175|lb}}. His professional playing career lasted for 19 seasons between 1934 and 1955.
==Career== Macon was primarily a pitcher but also played first base and the outfield during his MLB career, which spanned 1938–1947. Of his 226 total big-league games played, he was a pitcher in 81 games (29 as a starter), a first baseman in 75, and an outfielder in 23.<ref>[https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/Pmacom101.htm Information] at Retrosheet</ref> He was a pinch hitter or pinch runner in the balance of his appearances.
Macon's most extensive playing time was with the {{mlby|1944}} Boston Braves, when he got into 106 games (only one as a pitcher), hit all three of his MLB home runs and collected 36 of his 46 career runs batted in. He missed the 1945 season while serving in the United States Army during World War II; during his service, Macon was hospitalized for 29 days after being injured in a dynamite explosion at Fort McClellan in Alabama. He was out of baseball in 1946, then returned to Boston to finish his major league career in 1947.<ref>{{cite book|title=The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia|year=2007|publisher=Sterling Publishing|isbn=978-1-4027-4771-7|pages=690}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Baseball in Wartime – Max Macon |url=http://baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/macon_max.htm |website=BaseballinWartime.com |access-date=January 30, 2019}}</ref>
As a pitcher, Macon posted a career 17–19 win–loss record and a 4.24 earned run average, with nine complete games, two shutouts, and three saves; in 297<small>{{fraction|1|3}}</small> innings pitched, he permitted 307 hits and 128 bases on balls, while registering 90 strikeouts. On offense, Macon collected 133 hits, which included 17 doubles and four triples, along with his three homers. He batted .265.
Starting in 1949,<ref name="Top 100: 1951 HB">[http://www.milb.com/milb/components/history/top100/mc_top_81.html "Top 100 Teams: 81 - 1951 Hazard Bombers"]. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 14, 2015. "Macon had begun his managerial career on May 12, 1949 at Modesto in the California League."</ref> Macon managed in the minor leagues for 12 seasons, including six years at the Triple-A level in the Dodgers' organization. In 1961, he became a scout and minor league pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers,<ref>Slayton, Jack. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DXJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PvoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6479%2C1409584&dq=MAX-MACON=en "Slants on Sports: Short Sports Notes"]. ''The Lakeland Ledger''. July 12, 1961. p. 11. Retrieved October 14, 2015.</ref><ref name=MaconRupp>Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=23NQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4RAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6585%2C757194 "Macon's 'Had It'; Won't Work for Rupp"]. ''The Milwaukee Sentinel''. March 22, 1962. Part 2, Page 3. Retrieved October 14, 2015.</ref> with whom he remained until 1968, when he was named Southeast regional scouting supervisor for the Pittsburgh Pirates.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CytmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JuoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7115%2C2533497 "Max Macon Named Scout for Pirates"]. ''The Miami News''. February 12, 1968. p. 6-C. Retrieved October 14, 2015.</ref> During these years, Macon supplemented his earnings as a college basketball referee, with both the SEC<ref name=MaconRupp/> and MVC.<ref name=Suicide>Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCUqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EkcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6108%2C124972 "Suicide Ruled in Death of Max Macon's Wife"]. ''The Park City Daily News.'' July 1, 1962. p. 22. Retrieved October 14, 2015.</ref>
In 2001, Minor League Baseball published a list of its 100 greatest teams of all time, which included two managed by Macon: the 1951 Hazard Bombers (at number 81)<ref name="Top 100: 1951 HB"/> and the 1952 Miami Sun Sox (at number 40).<ref name="Top 100: 1952 MSS">[http://www.milb.com/milb/components/history/top100/mc_top_40.html "Top 100 Teams: 40 - 1952 Miami Sun Sox"]. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 14, 2015.</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== ===Articles=== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * Levy, Sam. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TRYaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4605%2C173830 "Sport Chatter: Max Macon's Fault"]. ''The Milwaukee Journal''. Thursday, September 30, 1937. p. 8. * Kirksey, George (UP). [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i0syAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p68FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1722%2C5590107 "Cardinals Still Stage Best Show in Camp Circuit: Prize Rookies Are Max Macon of Cards and Harry Craft of Reds"]. ''The Beaver County Times''. Thursday, April 7, 1938, p. 9. * McNeil, Marc T. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FnYtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f5gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5605%2C3922892 "Casual Close-Ups: The Boys Are A-Feudin' in Earnest; Snyder Is Blamed; Like Father Like Son; '''Here's an Odd One'''"]. ''The Montreal Gazette''. Monday, June 22, 1942. p. 16. * French, Bob. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RPMjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WP8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2818%2C2253277 "Mirrors of Sport: Max Macon in the News Again"]. ''The Toledo Blade''. Wednesday, July 15, 1942. p. 18. * Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jI4zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3tsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5132%2C2689840 "Dodgers' Mystery Has New Chapter"]. ''The Ottawa Citizen''. Thursday, July 16, 1942. p. 15. * Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d_ouAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AtwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5120%2C2862959 "Max Macon in Line With Brooklyn Club"]. ''The Ottawa Citizen''. Tuesday, March 16, 1943. p. 10. * Moshier, Jeff. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q_5PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JlUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4351%2C3923470 "Playing Square"]. ''The St. Petersburg Evening Independent''. Friday, May 19, 1944. p. 12. * Associated Press. [http://www.mediafire.com/view/akg12p8s3tlo0a6/.png "Max Macon — The Former Hurler is Doing a Fine Job at First Base for the Boston Braves"]. The Christian Science Monitor. Wednesday, May 24, 1944. p. 16. * United Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gfo-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=YE0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4590%2C4443768 "Max Macon Called Home From Braves"]. ''The Tuscaloosa News''. Monday, April 7, 1947. p. 7. * Thisted, Red. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_1oaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8wwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2830%2C812179 "Baseball Players Are an Odd Breed: Macon Plays It All the Way Out"]. ''The Milwaukee Sentinel''. Sunday, January 25, 1948. p. B3 * Beck, Bill. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ItaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gE8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1856%2C3909273"Time For Sports: A Pox On Max Macon's Plan Or Hooks Iott Enjoys Last Laugh"]. ''The St Petersburg Times''. Thursday, June 26, 1952. p. 22. * Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=scctAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hJsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4340%2C4712700 "Max Macon Appointed Montreal Manager"]. ''The Reading Eagle''. Friday, November 27, 1953. p. 22. * Holmes, Tommy (Nov 30, 1953). [http://www.mediafire.com/view/0x373ns0ue8bwy9/.png "Army Promises '54 Powerhouse"]. The Brooklyn Eagle. November 30, 1953. p. 15. * Fitzgerald, Tommy. "Macon has the Makin's: New Montreal Pilot Destined For Bums". ''Baseball Digest''. March 1954. pp. 83–84. * Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QM0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZnoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1686%2C3666816 "Max Macon Receives Threatening Letter"]. ''The St. Petersburg Times''. Sunday, May 23, 1954. p. 7-C * McGowan, Lloyd. [http://www.mediafire.com/view/e5p2riy5o8q0coh/.jpg "Macon's Royals Register; Top Richmond A la Grant Amoros Hits; Virginia Reel"]. ''The Montreal Star.'' Wednesday, June 2, 1954. p. 36 * McGowan, Lloyd. [http://www.mediafire.com/view/3ri6uysfr9qd7kg/.jpg "Black, Roebuck Shelled By Richmond Artillery; World Series Hero Hit in Start with Royals; Arm 'Fine'"]. ''The Montreal Star.'' Thursday, June 3, 1954. p. 36 * McGowan, Lloyd. [http://www.mediafire.com/view/dxlkb2iuq8mvn2w/.jpg "Lehman Lacks Usual Control As Royals Bow to Richmond"]. ''The Montreal Star.'' Friday, June 4, 1954. p. 22 * McGowan, Lloyd. [http://www.mediafire.com/view/ojkqtj0otd8ew0v/.jpg "Bits from the Batter's Box"]. ''The Montreal Star.'' Saturday, June 5, 1954. * Carroll, Dink. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kXctAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pZgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5971%2C993661 "Max Macon Suspended Indefinitely, Fined: Shaughnessy Tags Royals' Boss For Latest Run-In With Umpires"]. ''The Montreal Gazette''. Saturday, August 7, 1954. p. 8. * Macon, Max. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fwUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5180%2C1548411 "Future Stars: Fernandez a Fielding Find"]. ''The Reading Eagle''. Saturday, January 22, 1955. p. 6. * Wolfe, Don. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CK5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kwAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2564%2C3740548 "Mirrors of Sport: Max Macon Recalls Big Homer"]. ''The Toledo Blade''. Monday, May 2, 1955. p. 18. * [https://archive.org/details/athletethe196061unse/page/n131/mode/2up/search/%22max+macon%22?q=%22max+macon%22 "The Flying Dutchman"]. ''The Kentucky High School Athlete''. March 1961. p. 4. * Fitzgerald, Tommy. [http://www.mediafire.com/view/gn1hck5bzcbliac/.jpg "Can't Hide Roberto"] . ''The Miami News''. Saturday, March 26, 1966. p. 1B. * Biederman, Lester J. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zEcqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VE8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6597%2C1173521 "Liking Pirates Contagious"]. ''The Pittsburgh Press''. Friday, August 19, 1966. p. 27. * Bloodworth, Bob. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/129929116/ "'The Good Arms, Legs' Attract the Scouts"]. ''The Palm Beach Post''. Tuesday, August 19, 1969. p. 29. * Eck, Frank (AP). [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pHBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZGENAAAAIBAJ&pg=2374%2C2338162 "Ex-Manager Denies He Had Orders to Hide Clemente"]. ''The Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter''. Wednesday, December 15, 1971. p. D6 * Christine, Bill. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DGNLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=430DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6392%2C2544257 "Roberto! (Part 3): Hocus-Pocus in Montreal"]. ''The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette''. Wednesday, April 18, 1973. p. 33. * Associated Press. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q0cyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=veUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4260%2C4208865 "Max Macon Dies; Was Pitcher, Scout"]. ''The Reading Eagle''. Thursday, August 10, 1989. p. 45. * Zygner, Sam; Smith, Steve. [https://books.google.com/books?id=pvU8AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA54 "The Great 1952 Florida International League Pennant Race"]. ''Baseball Research Journal''. Volume 43, Issue 1. Spring 2014. pp. 54–67 {{div col end}}
===Books=== * {{cite book |last1=Sutter |first1=L. M. |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AiIOu-x8RVEC&pg=PA128 |chapter=Chapter 11: The 1951 Hazard Bombers |title=Ball, Bat and Bitumen: A History of Coalfield Baseball in the Appalachian South |location=Jefferson, NC |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0-7864-3594-4}}
==External links== {{Portal|Biography|Baseball}} {{Baseballstats|mlb=118102|espn=24502|br=m/maconma01|fangraphs=1007932|brm=macon-001max|retro=Pmacom101}} *{{sabrbio|max-macon}} *{{Find a Grave|13731923}}
{{Roberto Clemente}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Macon, Max}} Category:1915 births Category:1989 deaths Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada Category:Baseball player-managers Category:Baseball players from Pensacola, Florida Category:Bloomington Bloomers players Category:Boston Braves players Category:Brooklyn Dodgers players Category:College men's basketball referees in the United States Category:Columbus Red Birds players Category:Detroit Tigers scouts Category:Fort Worth Cats players Category:Hazard Bombers players Category:Hutchinson Larks players Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Minor league baseball managers Category:Miami Sun Sox players Category:Modesto Reds players Category:Montreal Royals managers Category:Montreal Royals players Category:New York Mets scouts Category:Newark Bears (International League) players Category:Pittsburgh Pirates scouts Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:St. Louis Cardinals players Category:St. Paul Saints (AA) managers Category:St. Paul Saints (AA) players Category:Springfield Redbirds players Category:United States Army personnel of World War II Category:20th-century American sportsmen