Comments on: Ron Mahay retires after 14-year major league career

By: georgebrett

georgebrett — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:16:30 +0000

It means that he was never able to be a part of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Other than that he should have received everything else all other players get from playing in MLB except royalties because their likeness was never used. Kevin Millar is a great example.

By: yankeepunk3000

yankeepunk3000 — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:54:53 +0000

this guy was gritty as hell…I’m amazed the D backs didn’t give him a look…he was a gritty as you got

By: j0esixpack

j0esixpack — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 20:53:45 +0000

For me, his role as a replacement player makes his story that much more compelling

He’s the most unlikely of guys to have a 14 year career – the community college outfielder who got his first chance as a replacement player, and then scrabbled to switch to pitching via the Australian League – and then actually turned that into a career that earned quite a few million dollars over 14 years.

Say what you want about him taking the opportunity to play when he could get it, but this guy made his career the hard way – with hard work and determination. That counts for something in my book.

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:00:06 +0000

Yes, Mahay previously was identified as the last replacement player from spring training 1995: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/baseball-insider/post/the-last-replacement-player/2011/03/30/AFXoTg3B_blog.html

It meant that Mahay received no royalties from baseball cards, video games, and various other projects from which the MLPBA received payments. Probably throughout most of his career, some of his teammates gave him the cold shoulder too.

By: soj83

soj83 — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:06:32 +0000

i remember him in spring training as a replacement player for the Red Sox in during the 94-95 strike that was when he was still an outfielder. you have to give credit to someone who can switch positions at that level and play better.

By: RickyB

RickyB — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:02:24 +0000

If memory serves correctly, he was a replacement player back in 1995. Any blowback from that likely, or is it all water under the bridge at this point?

By: edelmanfanclub

edelmanfanclub — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:10:52 +0000

Decent left handed reliever in his career. 14 years in the big leagues is impressive. He was also part of the Tex to ATL trade where the Braves shipped away half their farm, and helped build the core of today’s Texas Rangers.