The Clown Prince of Baseball

by Max Patkin, Stan Hochman

This autobiography of the baseball clown Max Patkin documents his long career and vagabond life.

Genres: Baseball

167 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Scott Breslove · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean, it was interesting with some good stories. But it was also very disjointed, very (umm, how do I put this nicely) dated…also kind of depressing, not exactly how you’d think a book about a clown would read. Unfortunately I never got to see his act, will have to watch Bull Durham to catch him in action.

[Chuck Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book by and about Max Patkin, a comedic performer at mostly minor league baseball games. This book is told in generally chronological order, although it really is more an account of Max telling stories with some interlocking common themes for each chapter. Max certainly had an interesting life performing almost every day throughout the baseball season. He believes he had over 5000 performances over 50 years before an injury prevented him from performing.

I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to see Max perform live. I saw him act and perform in Bull Durham which is one of my favorite movies. This movie certainly gives you a sense of who and what Max is but the book obviously provides even more.

I was fortunate to meet Max later in life when he visited the Press Box at Veteran's stadium to watch Phillies games. I then found out he grew up in Philadelphia and still lived in the area. Max was an interesting man to talk to (with the biggest nose I've ever seen) but I was often too busy scoring the game to talk to him. He did bring this book with him and you could tell he was proud that it had been written. I looked for years to get a copy and was fortunate to find a used library copy.

Anyone that is a fan of baseball, especially the comedic antics that are more present in minor league baseball, will enjoy Max's accounts of his life and travels performing in many stadiums and meeting many baseball players and celebrities.