The first time I ever saw "Paw Paw" play was in 1956. My dad and I arrived arrived at Briggs Stadium about an hour before the game started. It was a bright sunny day. Tiger players were on the field going through their usual routine of batting and fielding practice while some of the pitchers were casually throwing warm-up pitches. Four or five players were shagging fly balls. It caught my eye when one Tiger (#24) camped under the ball, turned suddenly and caught it behind his back with a big smile on his face. It was then that I realized that one of the newest Tigers, Charlie Maxwell, possessed some fielding skills. Though not being blessed with great speed, he was a sure-handed and well above-average fielder throughout his career. Not only could he field, demonstrated a very sharp eye at the plate and could hit (he also possessed a way above average on-base percentage). Notwithstanding his easy going and cheerful nature, he was all business at the plate -- a fearsome hitter with runners aboard and the game on the line.
� Lou Kitchenmaster has been a Tiger fan since the mid-fifties!
Also by Lou Kitchenmaster
� Johnny Groth
� Ernie Oravetz
� More submissions
Posted June 22, 2004.
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