#185 Max Alvis

It's funny how random chance works out. For instance, this is the third Indians card I've posted out of the last five total (and one of the others, Jim Piersall, spent a chunk of his career in Cleveland). The next card in my queue is a future pitching coach for the Tribe...you'll have to wait for him, though.

Fun facts about Max Alvis:

-Hailing from Jasper, TX, Max was an All-Southwest Conference player at the University of Texas before signing with the Indians in 1958.

-He hit well and with increasing power in a four-year minor league stint, compiling a .308 average and peaking with 25 home runs at AAA Salt Lake City in 1962.

-After a late-season callup in 1962, had a strong rookie season in 1963, hitting .273 with 32 doubles, 22 home runs, and 67 RBI. Was named Indians' Man of the Year.

-Though his average dropped slightly (.252) the next year, he was still produced at a good level (18 HR, 53 RBI in 107 games). However, a bout of spinal meningitis interrupted his season and was thought to have impacted his career thereafter.

-Rebounded to play a full season in 1965, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 61. He was also an All-Star for the first time.

-On August 15, 1965, hit a game-tying pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth inning. Leon Wagner's pinch two-run shot in the eleventh gave the Tribe the win over the Twins and allowed the team to tie the major league record with two pinch HRs in one game.

-Following a subsequent down year, he was both an All-Star and Indians Man of the Year for the second time in 1967: .256 with 21 homers and a career-high 70 RBI.

-Steadily declined for three years, ending his career with a .183 average in 62 games for the 1970 Brewers. In parts of nine seasons, Alvis hit .247 with 111 home runs and 373 RBI.

-Max returned to his hometown of Jasper, where he has worked at the First National Bank for more than three decades. He is currently president of that bank.

-In 2001, he was named one of Cleveland's 100 Greatest Players of all time.