Charlie Maxwell
Encyclopedia
Charles Richard Maxwell nicknamed "Smokey," "Paw Paw," (or "Ol' Paw Paw"), "Sunday Punch" and "Sunday Charlie," is a former professional baseball
outfielder
. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball
with the Boston Red Sox
(1950–54), Baltimore Orioles
(1955), Detroit Tigers
(1955–62), and Chicago White Sox
(1962–64).
who led all American League
outfielder
s in fielding percentage
in 1957 (.997) and 1960 (.996). He had only one error in both years. He was also one of the top power hitters in baseball during his peak years with the Detroit Tigers
from 1956–1960, finishing four times among the league leaders in home runs. Maxwell was elected to the American League All-Star
team in 1956 and 1957. He batted and threw left-handed.
Maxwell's nicknames included "Paw Paw," (given by the Detroit Tigers announcer Van Patrick
because of Maxwell's unusually named hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan
), "Smokey," "Sunday Charlie", and "the Sabbath Smasher," the latter two given in recognition of his propensity for hitting home runs on Sundays.
in 1927, Maxwell played baseball for Western Michigan University
in 1945 before being drafted into the U.S. Army. After two years in the military, Maxwell played parts of 8 seasons in the minor leagues (1947–53) before reaching the majors on a full-time basis.
Signed by the Boston Red Sox
, Maxwell spent three years (1947–49) playing for the Red Sox minor league team in Roanoke, Virginia
. In 1949, Maxwell won the Triple crown
in the Class B Piedmont League
, with a .345 batting average
, 29 home run
s, and 112 RBIs. On May 25, 1949, Maxwell capped a comeback from 13–4 deficit with a two-out three-run homer in the 9th inning.
In 1950, Maxwell hit .320 with 25 home runs for Birmingham in the Double-A Southern Association
. After hitting four home runs in the post-season for Birmingham, Maxwell was called up to the big leagues for the last week of the 1950 season. Maxwell went hitless in nine plate appearances for the Red Sox in 1950.
In 1951, Maxwell remained with the Red Sox but saw limited playing time as the backup left fielder for Ted Williams
. His batting average in 1951 was a disappointing .188. Things went from bad to worse in 1952, as Maxwell managed only one hit in 15 at bats.
In 1953, Maxwell turned things around, playing the full season for Louisville of the Triple-A American Association
, and finishing the year with a .305 batting average, 23 home runs and 107 RBIs.
Maxwell's strong performance in Louisville and Ted Williams
' broken collarbone resulted in Maxwell being the Red Sox starting left fielder at the start of the 1954 season. In mid-May, Williams returned to the lineup, and Maxwell returned to the bench.
In the off-season, the Red Sox sold Maxwell to the Baltimore Orioles
, but Maxwell had only four at bats for the Orioles before he was sold to the Detroit Tigers
on May 9, 1955. At age 28, Maxwell finally landed with a team where he could play every day in the outfield.
After being platooned in Detroit's outfield in 1955, the 1956 season was Maxwell's first as an every-day player, and his performance won him a spot on the 1956 American League All-Star team
. Maxwell played 141 games for the Tigers in 1956 and finished among the American League
leaders in most batting categories with a .534 slugging percentage (3rd in the AL behind Mickey Mantle
and Ted Williams
); a .326 batted
(4th in AL); a .414 on base percentage (4th in the AL); 96 runs (4th in the AL); 28 home run
s (5th in the AL); and 95 RBIs (5th in the AL). Maxwell also excelled in the field in 1956, with a .987 fielding percentage
.
Maxwell was a Michigan native with an affable personality, and quickly became a fan favorite in Detroit. He often gave a pregame show for the fans, especially on Saturdays when the Tigers hosted kids from the "Knothole Gang." "Shagging fungoes in left field, Maxwell would grin, clown around, and catch the ball behind his back or between his legs." ("Charlie Maxwell," by Jim Sargent)
At age 30, Maxwell followed up with another strong season in 1957, winning a spot on the American League All-Star team for the second straight year. Having committed only four errors in 1956, Maxwell improved his performance in 1957, committing only one error in over 300 chances. He led all AL outfielders with a .997 fielding percentage
. And his 2.36 Range factor
in left field was 0.39 points above the average for all outfielders.
Maxwell also continued his strong hitting in 1957. Though his batting average dipped by 50 points to .276, he finished with a .377 on base percentage
(8th in the AL), .482 slugging percentage, 24 home runs (7th in the AL). "I was a tougher clutch hitter late in the game," Maxwell recalled. "Sportswriter Hal Middlesworth told me that I led the team in game-winning hits in 1956 and 1957, even though other guys hit for higher averages." ("Charlie Maxwell," by Jim Sargent)
After a less than stellar performance in 1958 (13 home runs and 65 RBIs), the Tigers signed Larry Doby
to replace Maxwell for the 1959 season. But Doby fizzled with the Tigers (.218 in 18 games) and was traded on May 13, leaving the left field spot open for Maxwell to reclaim. Perhaps inspired by the competition, Maxwell posted career-highs in 1959 with 31 home runs (4th in the AL) and 95 RBI
s (5th in the AL). Maxwell hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats during a Sunday afternoon doubleheader in May and hit 12 of his 31 home runs in 1959 on Sundays—leading fans, writers and broadcasters to refer to him as "Sunday Charlie" and "the Sabbath Smasher."
In 1960, Maxwell's batting average
dropped to .237, though he still hit 24 home runs and batted in 84 runs. Maxwell's defensive performance remained strong in 1960, as he led all American League
outfielders in fielding percentage
for the second time in his career. He committed only one error in over 1,000 innings in left field, for a .996 fielding percentage.
took over Maxwell's spot in left field. Colavito hit 45 home runs and 140 RBIs, and Maxwell was relegated principally to a pinch hitting role.
After batting .194 in 30 games in 1962, the Tigers traded Maxwell to the Chicago White Sox
on June 25, 1962. Maxwell had a late season revival with the White Sox in 1962. By the third week of August, Maxwell was batting .352 for Chicago, and had a 13-game hitting streak, the team's longest that year. Maxwell wound up hitting .296 for the White Sox in 1962 with nine home runs.
Maxwell also continued his "Sunday Charlie" tendencies with the White Sox, hitting five of his nine home runs in 1962 on Sundays, including 3 home runs during a Sunday doubleheader in July.
Maxwell's batting average dropped to .231 in 1963, and he managed only three home runs. The White Sox released Maxwell in April 1964 after Maxwell went hitless in two pinch-hitting appearances.
In a 14-season career, Maxwell was a .264 hitter with 148 home runs and 532 RBIs in 1,133 games.
, where he sold automobile parts. In 1997, Maxwell was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
. Charlie Maxwell Days were celebrated in August 2010 in Paw Paw with the renaming of the Paw Paw field to the "Charlie Maxwell Ball Diamond".
Today Charlie has his permanent residence in Paw Paw, dividing his time with his other home in Longboat Key, Florida
during the Fall and Winter months. He remains active, taking up tennis as his hobby.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1950–54), Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1955), Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1955–62), and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1962–64).
Career overview
Maxwell was an agile left fielderLeft fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
who led all American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
s in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
in 1957 (.997) and 1960 (.996). He had only one error in both years. He was also one of the top power hitters in baseball during his peak years with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
from 1956–1960, finishing four times among the league leaders in home runs. Maxwell was elected to the American League All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team in 1956 and 1957. He batted and threw left-handed.
Maxwell's nicknames included "Paw Paw," (given by the Detroit Tigers announcer Van Patrick
Van Patrick
Van Patrick was an American sportscaster, best known for his play-by-play work with the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers....
because of Maxwell's unusually named hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan
Paw Paw, Michigan
Paw Paw is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 3,363. It is the county seat of Van Buren County.-Overview:...
), "Smokey," "Sunday Charlie", and "the Sabbath Smasher," the latter two given in recognition of his propensity for hitting home runs on Sundays.
Early years
Born in Lawton, MichiganLawton, Michigan
Lawton is a village in Van Buren County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,859.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
in 1927, Maxwell played baseball for Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
in 1945 before being drafted into the U.S. Army. After two years in the military, Maxwell played parts of 8 seasons in the minor leagues (1947–53) before reaching the majors on a full-time basis.
Signed by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Maxwell spent three years (1947–49) playing for the Red Sox minor league team in Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
. In 1949, Maxwell won the Triple crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
in the Class B Piedmont League
Piedmont League
The Piedmont League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1920 through 1955. The league operated principally in the Piedmont plateau region in the eastern United States.- Former :...
, with a .345 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 29 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and 112 RBIs. On May 25, 1949, Maxwell capped a comeback from 13–4 deficit with a two-out three-run homer in the 9th inning.
In 1950, Maxwell hit .320 with 25 home runs for Birmingham in the Double-A Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
. After hitting four home runs in the post-season for Birmingham, Maxwell was called up to the big leagues for the last week of the 1950 season. Maxwell went hitless in nine plate appearances for the Red Sox in 1950.
In 1951, Maxwell remained with the Red Sox but saw limited playing time as the backup left fielder for Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
. His batting average in 1951 was a disappointing .188. Things went from bad to worse in 1952, as Maxwell managed only one hit in 15 at bats.
In 1953, Maxwell turned things around, playing the full season for Louisville of the Triple-A American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
, and finishing the year with a .305 batting average, 23 home runs and 107 RBIs.
Maxwell's strong performance in Louisville and Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
' broken collarbone resulted in Maxwell being the Red Sox starting left fielder at the start of the 1954 season. In mid-May, Williams returned to the lineup, and Maxwell returned to the bench.
In the off-season, the Red Sox sold Maxwell to the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, but Maxwell had only four at bats for the Orioles before he was sold to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on May 9, 1955. At age 28, Maxwell finally landed with a team where he could play every day in the outfield.
Peak years with Detroit (1956–1960)
Maxwell remained with the Tigers from 1955–62, serving as the teams' regular left fielder from 1956–1960.After being platooned in Detroit's outfield in 1955, the 1956 season was Maxwell's first as an every-day player, and his performance won him a spot on the 1956 American League All-Star team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. Maxwell played 141 games for the Tigers in 1956 and finished among the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
leaders in most batting categories with a .534 slugging percentage (3rd in the AL behind Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
and Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
); a .326 batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(4th in AL); a .414 on base percentage (4th in the AL); 96 runs (4th in the AL); 28 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (5th in the AL); and 95 RBIs (5th in the AL). Maxwell also excelled in the field in 1956, with a .987 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
.
Maxwell was a Michigan native with an affable personality, and quickly became a fan favorite in Detroit. He often gave a pregame show for the fans, especially on Saturdays when the Tigers hosted kids from the "Knothole Gang." "Shagging fungoes in left field, Maxwell would grin, clown around, and catch the ball behind his back or between his legs." ("Charlie Maxwell," by Jim Sargent)
At age 30, Maxwell followed up with another strong season in 1957, winning a spot on the American League All-Star team for the second straight year. Having committed only four errors in 1956, Maxwell improved his performance in 1957, committing only one error in over 300 chances. He led all AL outfielders with a .997 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. And his 2.36 Range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
in left field was 0.39 points above the average for all outfielders.
Maxwell also continued his strong hitting in 1957. Though his batting average dipped by 50 points to .276, he finished with a .377 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
(8th in the AL), .482 slugging percentage, 24 home runs (7th in the AL). "I was a tougher clutch hitter late in the game," Maxwell recalled. "Sportswriter Hal Middlesworth told me that I led the team in game-winning hits in 1956 and 1957, even though other guys hit for higher averages." ("Charlie Maxwell," by Jim Sargent)
After a less than stellar performance in 1958 (13 home runs and 65 RBIs), the Tigers signed Larry Doby
Larry Doby
Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball....
to replace Maxwell for the 1959 season. But Doby fizzled with the Tigers (.218 in 18 games) and was traded on May 13, leaving the left field spot open for Maxwell to reclaim. Perhaps inspired by the competition, Maxwell posted career-highs in 1959 with 31 home runs (4th in the AL) and 95 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
s (5th in the AL). Maxwell hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats during a Sunday afternoon doubleheader in May and hit 12 of his 31 home runs in 1959 on Sundays—leading fans, writers and broadcasters to refer to him as "Sunday Charlie" and "the Sabbath Smasher."
In 1960, Maxwell's batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
dropped to .237, though he still hit 24 home runs and batted in 84 runs. Maxwell's defensive performance remained strong in 1960, as he led all American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
outfielders in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
for the second time in his career. He committed only one error in over 1,000 innings in left field, for a .996 fielding percentage.
Later years (1961–1964)
In 1961, slugger Rocky ColavitoRocky Colavito
Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
took over Maxwell's spot in left field. Colavito hit 45 home runs and 140 RBIs, and Maxwell was relegated principally to a pinch hitting role.
After batting .194 in 30 games in 1962, the Tigers traded Maxwell to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on June 25, 1962. Maxwell had a late season revival with the White Sox in 1962. By the third week of August, Maxwell was batting .352 for Chicago, and had a 13-game hitting streak, the team's longest that year. Maxwell wound up hitting .296 for the White Sox in 1962 with nine home runs.
Maxwell also continued his "Sunday Charlie" tendencies with the White Sox, hitting five of his nine home runs in 1962 on Sundays, including 3 home runs during a Sunday doubleheader in July.
Maxwell's batting average dropped to .231 in 1963, and he managed only three home runs. The White Sox released Maxwell in April 1964 after Maxwell went hitless in two pinch-hitting appearances.
In a 14-season career, Maxwell was a .264 hitter with 148 home runs and 532 RBIs in 1,133 games.
Life after baseball
After his baseball career ended, Maxwell returned to his home in Paw Paw, MichiganPaw Paw, Michigan
Paw Paw is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 3,363. It is the county seat of Van Buren County.-Overview:...
, where he sold automobile parts. In 1997, Maxwell was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame to honor Michigan sports people. It was organized in 1954 by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Philip Hart, Michigan State University athletic director Biggie Munn, president of the Greater Michigan Foundation Donald Weeks, general manager of the...
. Charlie Maxwell Days were celebrated in August 2010 in Paw Paw with the renaming of the Paw Paw field to the "Charlie Maxwell Ball Diamond".
Today Charlie has his permanent residence in Paw Paw, dividing his time with his other home in Longboat Key, Florida
Longboat Key, Florida
Longboat Key is a town in Manatee and Sarasota counties along the central west coast of the U.S. state of Florida, located on the barrier island of the same name. Longboat Key is south of Anna Maria Island, between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is almost equally divided between Manatee...
during the Fall and Winter months. He remains active, taking up tennis as his hobby.