Wherever Bill Veeck ran a major league team (Indians, Browns, White Sox), Max Patkin
was a baseline coach and a comic attraction. The gangly, double-jointed Patkin barnstormed
the minor league circuit with his pantomime, contortionist act. When
Al Schacht retired,
Patkin took over the billing and role of The Clown Prince of Baseball. Proud of being
a bona fide baseball man, capable of doing an actual coaching job, Patkin was a one-time
minor league pitcher.
(JK)