Max Carey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Max Carey
Carey in 1921
Outfielder / Manager
Born: (1890-01-11)January 11, 1890 Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
Died: May 30, 1976(1976-05-30) (aged 86) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
debut
October 3, 1910, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last appearance
September 29, 1929, for the Brooklyn Robins
MLB statistics
Batting average	.285
Hits	2,665
Home runs	70
Runs batted in	802
Stolen bases	738
Managerial record	146–161
Winning %	.476
Teams
As player Pittsburgh Pirates (1910–1926) Brooklyn Robins (1926–1929) As manager Brooklyn Dodgers (1932–1933)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (1925) 10× NL stolen base leader (1913, 1915–1918, 1920, 1922–1925) Pirates Hall of Fame
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1961
Election Method	Veterans Committee

Maximillian George Carnarius (born January 11, 1890 – died May 30, 1976) was a famous American professional baseball player. He was known as Max George Carey. Max played as a center fielder and later became a manager.

Carey played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1910 to 1926. He then played for the Brooklyn Robins until 1929. After his playing career, he managed the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932 and 1933. He was a star player for the Pirates, helping them win the 1925 World Series. During his 20 years in baseball, he was known for stealing bases. He led the league in stolen bases ten times! Max Carey was chosen for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1961.

Early Life and Baseball Dreams

Maximillian George Carnarius was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on January 11, 1890. His father was a soldier from Prussia (a historical German state) and a swimming teacher. His parents hoped he would become a Lutheran minister.

Max went to Concordia College to study for this path. While there, he also played baseball, swam, and ran track. After graduating in 1909, he continued his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

Becoming a Professional Player

Starting in Minor League Baseball

In the summer of 1909, Max went to a minor league baseball game. This is a level of baseball below the major leagues. The South Bend Greens team needed a player. Max convinced their manager to let him play, using his speed from track and field.

He used the name "Max Carey" to keep his college amateur status. He didn't play perfectly at first, but he loved the game. He returned to South Bend in 1910 as a left fielder. That year, he had a good batting average of .298. He also stole 86 bases in 96 games! Seeing a future in baseball, Max decided to leave college.

Joining Major League Baseball

Max Carey's talent caught the eye of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were a team in Major League Baseball (MLB). He joined the Pirates at the end of the 1910 season. He played his first MLB games as a replacement player.

Carey with Pittsburgh in 1923

In 1911, Max became the Pirates' main center fielder. The next year, he became their permanent left fielder. He quickly became known for his speed. In 1913, he led the National League with 61 stolen bases. A stolen base is when a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is throwing the ball.

He continued to lead the league in steals many times. He led in 1915 (36), 1916 (63), 1917 (46), and 1918 (58). He was a true "Stolen Base King."

World Series Champion!

Max Carey had an amazing year in 1925. He had a .343 batting average. This is a measure of how often a batter gets a hit. The Pirates won the National League pennant that year. This meant they would play in the World Series.

In the final game of the 1925 World Series, Max was incredible. He got four hits, including three doubles. A double is a hit where the batter reaches second base. Max's .458 batting average was the best in the series. The Pirates defeated the Washington Senators to become World Series champions!

He also stole home 33 times in his career. This is when a player steals the final base to score a run. Only Ty Cobb stole home more often.

Moving to a New Team

In 1926, Max had a tough time playing. There was a disagreement within the team. As a result, Max Carey joined the Brooklyn Robins. He played his last three and a half years with the Robins. He retired from playing baseball in 1929.

Carey (right) and Boston's Bill McKechnie watch as John H. McCooey throws out the first ball of Brooklyn's 1932 season

After Playing Baseball

After retiring as a player, Max Carey became a coach for the Pirates in 1930. He later became the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. As a manager, he helped the team finish in third place in 1932. However, the team struggled in 1933. He was replaced as manager before the 1934 season.

Managing and Coaching

Max also worked as a scout, looking for new talent for the Baltimore Orioles. He managed minor league teams. In 1944, Carey became the manager of the Milwaukee Chicks. This was a team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). That year, his team won the league championship! He later served as the league's president for several years.

Max Carey's Legacy

Max Carey was nicknamed "Scoop." This was because he was so good at catching fly balls hit in front of him. His record of 738 stolen bases was a National League record for a long time. Lou Brock finally broke it in 1974. It is still one of the highest totals in baseball history.

When Max was young, his mother sewed special pads into his uniform. These pads protected his legs and hips when he was sliding into bases. Max later got a patent for these sliding pads. He also helped create a special cream called Minute-Rub.

Max Carey passed away on May 30, 1976, at the age of 86. He is remembered as a baseball legend and a Hall of Famer.

See also