Bobby Maxwell Takes Over

Photo originally uploaded to Flickr by NutsyFagan.

This isn't really the biography of Robert "Bobby" Maxwell. It might sound like it, but it's really the story of the 1978 Toledo Tigers baseball club. The team had fallen on hard times. Players aged. The late '60s and early '70s were great times to be a Tiger fan. But, after a freak injury ended the career of Maxwell, who was coming off a 54–homer season, and started the downhill slide for the Toldeo nine.

1977 was a rough season. At the mid–season break, the team was struggling and general manager Dallas Johnson called Maxwell and asked if he would be interested in managing the team. Johnson was frustrated with the complacent state of the team — the laziness, the constant bickering, etc. He had had enough and figured an "old school" dude like Maxwell might be able to inject some life into the club.

"Dal, I appreciate the offer. But at this point, I don't think it's a challenge I'm interested. There's too much that has to happen. Too many changes. I don't think you'd let me make them and that's the power I would want. I guess I'd like to be a defacto general manager."

"Bob, it's something we can talk about. I need you to inject some life. We're just a pile of junk right now."

"Well, then I guess we can talk. But, I'm serious, I need some ability to make changes. Some won't be popular. Some will surprise some people. I know what can happen to get us close to the playoffs in '78. I like your draft picks. They could be ready soon. Hayes, he has a good future. Hobbs ... we can build around that guy. I need to think about this a little bit. You really ..."

"Bob, we're open to having you run the personnel. It has to happen. The guys will respect you and they'll respond to your expectations. I'm serious. We'll write you a blank check. Three year contract up front. No questions asked. You're the answer."

"Dal, we've known each other a long, long time. You've never wavered on who's in charge."

"Times change, Bobby. Times change."