Max Effgen

SABR Contributor | U of Michigan | Mariners fan

475+ known pre-1980 MLB players w/o pension. Why? This oversight is not benign.

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Paul Siebert, was drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 1971 MLB Draft from Edina High School (Minnesota). Siebert debuted in 1974, showing promise with a shutout against the San Francisco Giants. He played five seasons (1974–1978) for the @Astros, San Diego @Padres, and New York @Mets , appearing in 87 games with a 2–6 record, a 3.79 ERA, and 59 strikeouts.

Despite a solid minor league record (36–24, 2.86 ERA), Siebert struggled in the majors, often splitting time between MLB and the minors, including stints with the Hawaii Islanders and Tidewater Tides. Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978 and later signed by the Montreal Expos, he retired after the 1979 season following a brief run with the Denver Bears.

Siebert’s short MLB tenure left him ineligible for a pension. If he had been on MLB roster for 1 day from 1980 on, he would be pension eligible. Card by @wthballs #baseball #MLB #MLBHistory #thehobby #BaseballTwitter

#ChaseTheFight #ForTheFaithful #LGM

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Forgotten Yankee Alert: Darryl Jones, 5th-round pick out of Westminster College, finally got his MLB shot with the 1979 New York @Yankees at age 28. #RepBX

Drafted in the fifth round of the 1972 MLB Draft from Westminster College, Jones appeared in only 18 games, recording 12 hits in 47 at-bats for a .255 batting average. His professional career was short, spanning primarily in the minors from 1977 to 1979, and he never qualified for an MLB pension, which then required four years of MLB service credit. This lack of pension eligibility reflects a broader issue for fringe players who, despite reaching the majors, misse out on long-term benefits due to brief careers.

Jones is the older brother of former MLB player Lynn Jones (Tigers, Royals). After ball, Jones coached at Allegheny College, leveraging over four decades of baseball experience. His story highlights the challenges faced by “cup of coffee” players, who experience the majors, pay union dues, but are not supported like today's athletes, underscoring inequities in MLBPA pension system.

BY thanks to @wthballs for this custom card.

#baseball #MLB #MLBHistory #thehobby #BaseballTwitter

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

I have been looking into MLB stadiums hosting non-MLB events to cover the operating expenses. Data is hard to find; however, given the number of events and the low rent owed by many teams, the MLBPA may have even less leverage than commonly thought. Hard to hurt owners in the pockets when non-MLB events can keep paying the rent.

I am leaning toward a lockout and strike sadly.

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

There will almost certainly be a work stoppage when the current MLB MLBPA CBA expires.

Meanwhile in 1972, players on the bubble were sent down before the strike. This move likely cost several ballplayers service time towards a MLBPA pension.
https://t.co/IVYgze9cjC

https://t.co/UknMWzPDEW

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

@AugieNash John Glenn played professionally for 14 years. He did not take up baseball seriously until he was serving with @USMC. He also played with Jackie Robinson All Stars in 1953.

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 1159 9/9:
Rarity: 6
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://t.co/hA22tKa1z3

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

The late Larry Demery (June 4, 1953 – February 20, 2024) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates #LetsGoBucs📷 from 1974 to 1977.

Born in Bakersfield, California, Demery followed in the footsteps of his father, Art Demery, a notable semipro and Negro League pitcher with Baltimore Elite Giants.

A standout at Locke High School in Los Angeles, where he threw two no-hitters, Demery was drafted by the Pirates in 1972. He debuted in the majors on June 2, 1974, posting a 29-23 record with a 3.72 ERA over four seasons, appearing in 136 games and pitching in two National League Championship Series (1974, 1975).

Despite his contributions, Demery, like many players of his era, did not qualify for an MLB pension, which requires four years of service credit (Since 1980 only 43 roster days are needed). His career ended in 1977.

Demery’s legacy endures through his on-field achievements and his family’s baseball heritage, though his story highlights the pension disparities faced by players from his time.

[Awful Announcing @awfulannouncing]

"Did I hear 11 players have hit home runs on this stretch? Sharing the wealth. Socialists." – Daniel Murphy

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

The story is this: In the 1980 MLB MLBPA CBA agreement, players from 1947-79, who were not vested with the then required 4 full seasons, were cut of out receiving pension and benefits under the new agreement which significantly lowered service time requirements. Eligibility went from four full seasons to 43 roster days.

Previous agreements did grandfather former players when the pension eligibility was lowered from five full seasons to four. It gets a little complicated from there; however, today there are over 470 still alive who would have been pension eligible had they been on the roster for a single game after April 1, 1980. Both MLB and the MLBPA can correct this at any time.

The list of these men is available at https://t.co/vY3UtjyYRg

Learn more about this and the men it impacted in Doug Gladstone's thoroughly researched book, A Bitter Cup of Coffee. Available at your favorite bookseller and Amazon: https://t.co/tShhh3LIx4

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

By any measure, these former ballplayers have demonstrated a legacy and responsibility built on equity, loyalty and fair play.

More than 470 of these men have more that the 43 days of service time that has been the minimum vesting since the 1980 season to qualify for the MLBPA pension. Another 140+ have less than 43 days but are not eligible for health benefits.

The MLB and MLBPA can correct this at any time.

[Douglas J. Gladstone @GLADSTONEWRITER]

In the CBA negotiations, the @MLBPA is reportedly seeking to make the minimum salary $1.5 million a year, with 10 percent annual raises, beginning next season. Currently, the minimum is “only” $780,000. Meanwhile, no pension and benefits for 480 retirees who played before 1980.

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Ron Keller, the Indianapolis native who pitched for the Minnesota @Twins in 1966 & 1968 turns 83 today.
Drafted in the 8th round out of Indiana, he appeared in 9 MLB games (21.1 IP), going 0-1 with a sharp 3.38 ERA and 12 strikeouts.

He is the father of Jason Keller — co-writer of Ford v Ferrari and creator of Apple TV+’s Stick staring Owen Wilson. #Wow

#MNTwins
#baseball #MLB #MLBHistory #thehobby #BaseballTwitter

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Jen Pawol
Mets #lgm at Mariners #tridentsup
@umpireplb

[Sox On 35th @SoxOn35th]

The 1983 "Winning Ugly" team will be reuniting at Rate Field later this month

https://t.co/ZA8loWIti7

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Acting in response to a grievance filed by the Major League Players Assn. on Feb. 2, 1986, Arbitrator Tom Roberts wrote that the owners conspired to “destroy” free agency after the 1985 season, violating Article XVIII, Section H, of the bargaining agreement, which holds that players cannot act in concert with other players and that clubs cannot act in concert with other clubs. Over 650 players were impacted.

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

🎉⚾ Happy 88th Birthday to Grover “Lee” Gregory!

Born today in 1938 in Bakersfield, CA, the lefty had his only MLB season with the 1964 Chicago @Cubs : 11 relief outings, 18 IP, 3.50 ERA, 8 Ks — plus 1 hit as a pinch hitter.

A true cup-of-coffee #Cubs story! 🐻

#Cubs #MLBHistory #Baseball

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Happy 74th Birthday to former @Braves pitcher Mike Davey! Born #OnThisDay 1952 in Spokane, WA, this Gonzaga lefty was a 2nd-round pick (32nd overall) in 1974. In 19 relief appearances (1977-78) he posted a 4.34 ERA with 2 saves over 18.2 IP. A true unsung Braves bullpen arm from the late ’70s. #BravesCountry
#baseball #MLB #MLBHistory #thehobby #BaseballTwitter Card by @wthballs

[Not Gaetti @notgaetti]

Thanks to @martymaciaszek for nominating this Cardinals legend for NEPTA. I love how crazy dominant he was in 1967, leading STL to a championship in his only year as a starting pitcher.

Don't forget that you can subscribe to NotGaetti to get access to the NEPTA nomination form!

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Happy 91st Birthday Hal Kolstad! 🎂 Born June 1, 1935. Red Sox pitcher 1962-63: 0-4, 6.59 ERA. Minors star: 67-67 record, 3.48 ERA. Signed via chance train meeting w/ Joe Cronin! Coached HS baseball 25 yrs. True lifer! Heard of him? 👇 #RedSox #MLBHistory #DirtyWater

[Max Effgen @maxeffgen]

Greg Erardi, born May 31, 1954, in Syracuse, New York, was a right-handed pitcher who played a brief but notable role for the inaugural Seattle Mariners in 1977. Drafted by the Milwaukee @Brewers in 1972, Erardi bounced between organizations, including the Pittsburgh @Pirates , before being selected by the @Mariners in the 1976 expansion draft. He debuted on September 6, 1977, pitching five relief appearances, retiring all three Kansas City Royals he faced in his first game. Erardi took classes at New York University in his baseball off-seasons and finished his undergraduate degree before retiring from baseball. He finished an MBA degree from the Wharton School of Business and went on to become Managing Director of Salomon Brothers. He did not earn enough MLB service time for MLBPA pension or stipend. Card by @wthballs #TridentsUp

[Chicago Blackhawks @NHLBlackhawks]

on behalf of the Wirtz family and Chicago Blackhawks organization, we mourn the passing of Dennis Hull❤️

we extend our deepest condolences to the Hull family during this time.

https://t.co/oafhCuX63g