Max Venable
From BR Bullpen
William McKinley Venable
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.
- High School Cordova High School
- Debut April 8, 1979
- Final Game October 6, 1991
- Born June 6, 1957 in Phoenix, AZ USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Max Venable played twelve seasons in the big leagues, mostly as an outfielder and pinch-hitter. He also stole bases well, with 64 steals in his career as opposed to only 18 times caught stealing. He currently is a coach in the San Diego Padres organization.
Max was a third-round pick in 1976 by the Los Angeles Dodgers and worked his way up their minor league organization until December 1978 when he was drafted away by the San Francisco Giants. For years he split his time between the Giants major league team and their minor league Phoenix club. He had his most major league at-bats in a season in 1983 with the Giants.
He was traded to the Montreal Expos and then a year later traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent three years. In 1984-85 he also spent time in AAA ball.
The book Stand and Deliver indicates that through 1987 he had already had 57 major league pinch-hits.
He finished out his major league career in 1989-91 with the California Angels, where each year his batting and slugging averages were higher than his career norm.
Venable also played in Japan for Lotte.
He was a star running back in high school, leading his team to three undefeated seasons. His son, Will Venable, broke into the majors in 2008.
- 2004 Coach Dayton Dragons
- 2005-2006 Coach Fort Wayne Wizards
- 2007 Coach Lake Elsinore Storm
- 2008-2009 Coach Portland Beavers
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Idaho Falls Braves | Pioneer League | 30-42 | 3rd | Atlanta Braves | |
| 1995 | Danville Braves | Appalachian League | 27-40 | 9th | Atlanta Braves |
