Mike Maksudian

Michael Bryant Maksudian

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 220 lb.
• School County College of Morris, University of South Alabama
• High School Parsippany High School
• Debut September 2, 1992
• Final Game August 10, 1994
• Born May 28, 1966 in Belleville, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Mike Maksudian appeared in the major leagues in three seasons, playing first base, third base, and catcher, and also pinch-hitting.

He was at the University of South Alabama at the same time as Mike Mordecai, and signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox in 1987. He hit over .300 with an on-base percentage over .400 for most of the 1988 season with the Class A South Bend White Sox, then was traded to the New York Mets organization in August and assigned to the Florida State League. The Mets released him before the 1989 season, however.

He played for the unaffiliated Miami Miracle in the Florida State League in 1989 and was picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays, in whose organization he spent 1990 to 1992. After coming up to the majors for 3 games with the Blue Jays in 1992, he was selected off waivers by the Minnesota Twins, with whom he played 5 games at the major league level in 1993.

In 1994, he had his most at-bats at the major league level, playing with the Chicago Cubs.

Lifetime, Maksudian had a major league batting average of .220 but an on-base percentage of .411.

He became a celebrity of sorts during the 1992 World Series (one in which he did not appear), saying that he had found a large bug in the outfield and eaten it. He also promised to tattoo a blue jay on his bottom if the team won the Series. See Mike Maksudian's World Series Speech.

One source says that his teammates paid him considerable money over the years to see him eat insects.

Related Sites

• Mike Maksudian at the SABR Bio Project