I know what you're thinking, how can the Cubs best hitter from 1998 be ranked this low? The numbers don't lie, and with a slash line of .333/.333/1.333, he was undeniably the Cubs best hitter. Could you squabble with the lack of walks? Sure, but if pitchers were dumb enough to pitch to him, Maxwell really had no choice but to make them pay. Even though he is ranked low, I am going to honor him by breaking down each of his at bats from the 1998 season.
On September 1, in his major league debut, Maxwell came off the bench to pinch hit for Dave Stevens against the Cincinnati Reds. The world did not make it easy on him as he had to go up against Steve Parris in his prime. As badly as Maxwell wanted it, Parris would not let him have it, and our hero went down swinging.
After that first at bat, Maxwell had to be anxious to prove himself. He got his chance on September 6 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He had to go up against Chris Peters, who was having himself a career year for the Bucs. There were two outs and runners on second and third when Maxwell came in to pinch hit for Don Wengert. He came up to the plate, steadied himself, and swung through strike three from Chris Peters.
After a rough start to his career in those two at bats, it would be understandable if he was shaken, but Maxwell just stirred with intensity. Finally, on September 11, 1998, a day that will live in infamy, Maxwell would get his chance to shine, but it would be against arguably his toughest test to date, one of the greatest prospects in New York Mets history, Bill Pulsipher. Pulsipher had gotten older but most certainly wiser and was now a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. After Manny Alexander popped out, and Scott Servais hit a double, Jim Riggleman took out Felix Heredia and put in Jason Maxwell as the pinch hitter in the fourth inning. Bill Pulsipher was throwing some of the nastiest pitches you have ever seen, but Maxwell continued to battle. Finally, Maxwell took a mighty swing, and unlike his first two tries, this one connected. The ball sailed high...and far...and GONE for a two run home run. He rounded the bases, trying to hide the smile that was bursting from his insides. As he stepped on home plate, he was congratulated by Scott Servais and Lance Johnson, and then he jogged to the dugout like he had done it hundreds of times before. He knew he would have plenty more opportunities to celebrate.
He would never bat for the Cubs again.
After this, Maxwell was resigned to a few pinch running opportunities but nothing more as he was just a September callup with rosters expanding. He later played a couple years with the Minnesota Twins, and most importantly, he clearly updated his own Wikipedia page.
Maxwell's favorite memories on his MLB career were interacting with his fans. He had a large following that was lead from a group of guys out of Swanton Ohio. He would often spend time with the guys after the games signing autographs for these kids. He donated bats, batting gloves, and even his belt with them.Missing on that Wikipedia page is that he ended the year with one of the all-time great Cubs stat lines, and nothing will ever change that.
In case you missed it:
Introduction
#47 - Matt Karchner
#46 - Jose Nieves
#45 - Rodney Myers
#44 - Justin Speier
#43 - Tony Fossas
#42 - Kennie Steenstra
#41 - Chris Haney
#40 - Bob Patterson
#39 - Pedro Valdes
#38 - Derrick White
#37 - Ben Van Ryn
#36 - Terrell Lowery
#35 - Don Wengert
#34 - Kurt Miller
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