So long, Max

Max Patkin, the “Clown Prince of Baseball” and pride of West Philadelphia High School, dies 26 years ago today in Paoli, Pa., at the age of 79.

Patkin – believe it or not – once is a prospect in the minors for the Chicago White Sox before hurting his pitching shoulder.

After that, Patkin spends 47 years traveling around the majors and minors, performing the same shtick he begins in the mid-1940s.

His formal debut as a baseball clown comes in May 1946 on Harrisburg’s City Island during an exhibition game between the Cleveland Indians and the hometown Senators, who at the time are Cleveland’s Class B affiliate.

“I might have been the only athlete at West Philadelphia High to flunk gym,” Patkin once says.

Patkin goes on to travel 7 million miles around baseball, making more than 4,500 appearances before a sprained ankle in 1993 ends his career at age 73.

“I work under a great handicap,” Patkin says, “I have no talent.”

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