Reggie gets his due

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This article was published 10/08/2023 (815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He is arguably the greatest player to ever suit up for the Winnipeg Goldeyes and undoubtedly one of the most popular and unique athletes this city has ever seen.

Now Reggie Abercrombie is back for the first time since hanging up his cleats in 2019 following 20 years of pro ball, including the final six in Winnipeg.

The 43-year-old will be honoured in several ways Friday — first at the baseball club’s 30th anniversary luncheon, and then at Shaw Park as his No. 11 is officially retired and his likeness is given out to the first 1,000 fans in the form of a bobblehead prior to their game against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

“Very excited. It was wonderful to hear. I didn’t expect it,” Abercrombie sid Thursday in a telephone chat during his layover in Toronto. “It means a lot. Winnipeg is a special place. A second home for me. It was a great place to play.”

Abercrombie rewrote the American Association history book during his time with the Fish, which closed out a career that included 180 MLB games spread over three seasons with Houston and Florida. He holds club records for home runs (92), RBI (393) and runs scored (371), and established league highs in hits (936), homers (146), RBI (666), runs scored (563) and games played (781).

The native of Georgia was inducted last month into the league’s Hall of Fame.

Abercrombie’s impact was nearly as big off the field, where his charitable work in the community and connection with fans — particularly kids — was legendary. He won the inaugural American Association’s Scott Miller/Brian Rose Man of the Year Award in 2016.

“You have to love Reggie. You have to love the way he played the game, the way he performed, the way he took care of himself, the way he interacted with fans,” said Goldeyes owner Sam Katz, who formed a strong bond with Abercrombie that exists to this day.

“He’s a very special human being, a very special athlete.”

Abercrombie led the Goldeyes to a pair of league championships in 2016 and 2017, where he famously took the trophy to the people by parading through the stands and clubhouse to pose for pictures during a wild, champagne-soaked celebration for the ages. He called that “one of the best moments” of his career.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Sam and Andrew (Collier, the general manager) and Jamie (Samson, clubhouse manager). And the fans of course. I’ll always remember the support of the fans,” said Abercrombie, who will be joined by several family members including his children and his mother for the special day.

Having it coincide with the 30-year anniversary of the franchise makes it extra sweet, he said.

“That’s huge. Everybody in the front office deserves a lot of credit,” said Abercrombie.

He kept playing until the age of 39 purely for the love of the sport. It certainly wasn’t for the low pay of independent ball and long bus rides that come with being a member of the only Canadian outfit in the 12-team loop.

“I really don’t miss it. I don’t get the urge to hit or anything like that. I played a long time, and it was my time to go,” Abercrombie said of finally stepping away.

“I do miss the boys and stuff like that.”

To that extent, Abercrombie continued to stay somewhat connected to the sport by helping coach a youth travel team in Georgia.

“It’s fun to see the kids come out and play. I’m a big kid, so it’s fun to get on that diamond and teach the kids to play the game,” he said.

He’s also keeping busy by working full-time for a company called ISM Connect, which uses technology to improve fan engagement at sports stadiums and concert venues across the United States.

Abercrombie has also been keeping an eye on the Goldeyes, who have undergone quite a makeover since his tenure. Long-time manager Rick Forney is no longer at the helm after taking a job offer closer to his Maryland home, and the entire roster has been turned over.

Still, Abercrombie will get to catch up on Friday with current Fargo-Moorhead pitcher Kevin McGovern, who was part of those championship Goldeyes teams. He’s also excited to see current Winnipeg slugger Max Murphy, who leads the league with 22 home runs this year after belting 31 last year.

“He’s been killing the league. I know he’s a great player. He was with St. Paul when I was in Winnipeg,” said Abercrombie. “If he keeps playing for the next two or three years, he’s going to take down every record I have.”

The humble Abercrombie said he’d actually love to see that happen.

“Records are meant to be broken,” he said when asked if he’d jokingly tell Murphy to slow down. “I’m going to tell him to speed up.”

This has been a tough season for the Goldeyes, with a 32-45 record under first-year skipper Greg Tagert that has them at the bottom of the standings. No doubt the presence of Abercrombie will bring plenty of positive vibes to the league’s flagship franchises.

Friday’s anniversary luncheon will be held at the Fairmont Hotel starting at noon and include a hot stove session with Abercrombie. His jersey retirement and bobblehead night at Shaw Park will conclude with post-game fireworks. Tickets are still available.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg