Buster Maynard

James Walter Maynard

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut September 17, 1940
• Final Game April 26, 1946
• Born March 25, 1913 in Henderson, NC USA
• Died September 7, 1977 in Durham, NC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Buster Maynard played four years in the majors. He was a regular with the 1943 New York Giants, for whom his nine home runs were third-best on the team.

Maynard was born in Henderson, NC. He didn't come to the majors until he was 27, after he hit 30 home runs and batted .337 for Richmond in 1940. Although he slugged well (.586) in his cup of coffee with the 1940 Giants, he went back to the minors with Jersey City in 1941 and part of 1942, coming up to play 89 games with the 1942 Giants.

The book Five Seasons: A Baseball Companion relates a story, in Tommy Lasorda's words, about an instance where Maynard was rude to Lasorda when he was a boy seeking an autograph. Years later, Lasorda pitched to Maynard, and Lasorda threw at him; Maynard charged the mound and a fight ensued. Afterward, Lasorda explained to Maynard that it was all because Maynard had refused to give him an autograph years earlier. The story became one that Lasorda told each spring to young players who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, as a lesson about giving autographs.

His career was interrupted by World War II. He served in the Army and played on a service team that won the Third Service Command title. Teammates included Pete Reiser. Source: Baseball in Wartime.

After his major league days he played in the minors till nearly the age of 40.