Goldeyes retire No. 6

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/06/2011 (5453 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Max POULIN, in the baseball vernacular, got paid Tuesday night.

A sellout crowd of 7,465 disciples of Max showed up at Shaw Park to give Poulin his tribute and unloaded an ovation that will ring in the ex-shortstop’s ears the rest of his time.

Poulin’s No. 6 was retired and he was honoured as the third Goldeyes player to have his jersey set aside to never be worn in play again.

“I was there for both of them, Brian Duva’s night and Donnie Smith’s night. To think I’m up there with them — it means I did some good things here,” said Poulin.

Master of the groundball and the understatement as well. Poulin did more good in a Goldeyes uniform than anyone before or after him. He was a Canadian kid who spoke just a little bit of English when he arrived in Winnipeg, but by the end of his time, everyone in this town knew who Max was. Poulin was the undisputed king of the third-base-side bleachers and he got his poutine for free anywhere it was served in St. Boniface.

The Quebecer signed autographs tirelessly following each and every home game and never said no to a public-appearance offer.

“I understand that I was the lucky one and for me to give a few minutes of my time and make someone else happy, it was easy and really the only thing to do,” said Poulin.

Goldeyes GM Andrew Collier presented Poulin with a framed jersey as well as a ring engraved with the player’s name, number, years played in Winnipeg and a team logo.

“This means the world to me,” said Poulin. “Sometimes guys will play 12 or 13 years and then they just go home. They never get a moment like this. For the Goldeyes to do this for me — it means the world to me.”

Poulin played eight seasons for the Goldeyes and was considered the league’s top defensive shortstop during his time in independent baseball. He played in a Goldeyes record 676 games and holds records for hits (631), triples (34), at-bats (2,374) and walks (227).

“It just amazes me how I don’t think I’ve ever seen him make an error. Everything’s a guaranteed play. Quick, memorable plays,” said Poulin fan Doug Donald.

Poulin owned a career .975 fielding percentage, including a season-best .986 fielding percentage in 2001. In his last season, 2008, Poulin held a .983 fielding percentage and committed seven errors in 407 chances.

“He’s one of the most warm-hearted people I’ve come across in the sporting community,” said Fish fan Grant Tymchuk. “He takes a vested interest in the kids with the different programs he does. He cares. He’s the one athlete that usually stays till the end, signing all the autographs and makes sure everyone is happy. I’m glad he stayed in the community.”

 

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca