Quote of the Day (Baseball’s Mickey Lolich, on Perceptions of His Weight)

“Throughout my 16 years in the major leagues, whenever things weren't going right, people always looked for reasons. For some, it was 'Maybe they're staying out too late at night,' 'Maybe too many outside interests,' 'Maybe their head's not screwed on right.' For me, it was 'He's too fat.' 'But when I was pitching good, they'd say, 'He's strong as a bull.' ''—Burly southpaw pitcher—and 1968 World Series MVP—Mickey Lolich (1940-2026), quoted by Ira Berkow, “When Fat Is Beautiful,” The New York Times, Aug. 7, 1989

First, all honor to Mickey Lolich, who died two days ago and is fondly remembered—especially by Detroit Tigers fans—for his three gutsy complete-game victories in the 1968 Fall Classic against the formidable St. Louis Cardinals.

The lefthander’s wry comment on how uncharitable—heck, merciless—some fans could be about his weight reminded me of an incident I witnessed with another baseball player.  In 15 seasons in the big leagues, John Mayberry clubbed 255 homers and drove in 879 RBIs, reaching a peak of 34 HRs in 1975 and another 30 as late as 1980.

By 1982, however, the slugging first baseman’s glory days were behind him. Midway through the season, the Toronto Blue Jays shipped him off to the New York Yankees. 

Any hope that the short right-field fence at Yankee Stadium would revive his power proved short-lived, as he hit only eight HRs and, worse, recorded a miserable .209 batting average with the Bronx Bombers.

Why did his numbers decline? Was it the natural consequence of nagging injuries over the years, the slower bat speed that players often encounter with age, or something elsw?

Some had a simple, nasty explanation: his weight. Lolich claimed that during his career, he carried 220 pounds on a 6-ft.-1-in. frame, though some believe that weight was an underestimate.

As for Mayberry: the Baseball Almanac lists his measurements as 6-ft.-3-in., 215 pounds. Other sources note that he’d added five pounds by the time he got to the Yankees, and Blue Jays fan Tom Dakers in a 2016 post on the “Blue Birds Banter” blog claimed that he’d reached 230 pounds north of the border.

That summer with the Yankees—Mayberry’s last in professional baseball—I attended a Yankee game in the mezzanine section with a close relative. Mayberry was in the middle of his prolonged offensive struggle. Each time he flailed and floundered at the plate, we could hear a voice behind us raining down insults, each a variation on “You stink!”

At last, late in the game, with Mayberry striking out again, that voice reached a crescendo in vituperation: “HEY MAYBERRY, IF YOU COULD ONLY BAT YOUR WEIGHT, YOU’D BE THE BIGGEST THING SINCE TY COBB!” (Ty Cobb, be it noted, had a lifetime batting average of .367.)

“I’ve got to see who this guy is!” my relative said. Turning around, we  were surprised to see, several rows behind us, a fellow graduate of our high school. 

He laughed when he noticed us, and we agreed that it was lucky for him that he was so high up in the stands, rather than closer to the field where Mayberry might have taken serious exception to the abuse.

An ideal “five-tool” player is blessed with a consistent ability to hit for average, bang home runs, run the bases with speed, play elite defense, and possess a strong, accurate arm. Notice that “rabbit ears” is not part of this skill set, particularly when it comes to weight.

I have no idea how Mayberry felt about such taunts, but fortunately, Lolich took it all in stride. I hope that he is enjoying as many delicious donuts as he likes in Heaven now—and not gaining an ounce.